There is much to admire about Audrey Hepburn's poise, understated elegance, and graceful fashion sense. Most of her outfits, on and off-screen, are completely timeless. There are very few women who have not been impacted by the fashion moments created in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. So, whether it is her choice of the little black dress or the humble polo neck, her fashion sense has been the most appreciated and valued over the years. Throughout her illustrious career, Hepburn has gifted us with one great look after the other. Let's explore some of her best looks here and experience the fashion enigma that she was.
The hairband
The hairband has been ubiquitous in most of her film outings. The hairband has undergone a style revolution in recent years and it is naturally because of the display of the designs such as Prada, Fendi, and Simone Rocha. While Hepburn has also been endorsing tiaras, she has had the most pleasure of wearing a hairband. Whether it is wearing a bow-topped Alice band or a white length of fabric that keeps the hair off her face, the hairband is one of the best popular accessories that has been endorsed by Hepburn for years together.
The Chandelier Earring
An accessory can make or break an outfit and Hepburn believed that completely. She never underestimated the power of a lovely pair of earrings. She repeatedly made use of the chandelier earrings - the tiered glitz of earrings attached to the lobes, enough to glam up any outfit! Not to forget the gorgeous smile.
The White Shirt
Although Hepburn made the fitted blouse, one tied at the waist, as seen in Sabrina one of the best looks, she also frequently wore the oversized white men’s shirt, with a teasing glance of the bare legs and gorgeous jewelry. Something you can spot at the case of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and appreciate the simple yet elegant look sported by the stylish diva with so much effortlessness.
The Gorgeous White Gown
Audrey Hepburn broke norms and made her own novel fashion choices every step of the way. With a cropped hairstyle and sharp eyebrows, her appearance at the 1954 Academy Awards managed to break the trend. Her Givenchy white lace dress, cinched at the waist, put the spotlight right back on the red carpet appearances. It paved the way for many such fashionable appearances later on.
The Black Polo Neck
Hepburn's look from the dance scene in Funny Face can be the ultimate fashion choice for most working-from-home women of today. Her famous dance looks made her way to Paris’s intellectual underbelly in a sharp outfit that proved to be every fashionista's joy such as black polo neck, black trousers, and black penny loafers. Hepburn was completely natural, and boy was she a sight for sore eyes!
The Iconic Black Dress
Considering how inextricably linked is Hepburn to the film, it is still difficult to accept that she wasn’t the first choice for playing the role of the society girl - Holly Golightly - in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It is said that Truman Capote had hoped for Marilyn Monroe to play the role. But Hepburn was a complete delight to the senses right from the first lingering shot of casually pausing by the window of Tiffany & Co (with a croissant in hand), looking bewitchingly beautiful in classic pearls, sunglasses, opera gloves, and the ethereal black gown. Right at that moment, fashion was preserved for posterity. There was a certain timelessness to the black dress and needless to say, it became as universal as it gets.
The Ballet Flat
While nobody thinks of flats as the most fashionable footwear, Hepburn begged to differ and came up with the ballet flat and the fashion fever caught on. Her choice may have something to with the fact that she had always been nursing a dream to be a ballet dancer. Her love for her ballets became evident when her belongings were auctioned off by Christie’s in 2017, and there was a display of leather pumps in sky blue, emerald green, and marigold, which she wore with everything right from her cropped trousers and swing skirts to sharp blazers.
There is not an iota of doubt that Hepburn made fashion to be classic, fun, and never boring! Don't you agree?