The Essence of Audrey: Channel the Dazzling Simplicity of Hepburn’s Style With These 8 Signature Pieces

Audrey Hepburn will always be a fashion icon. Unlike many of the contemporaries of her era who oozed a studio-curated sex appeal, Hepburn’s wardrobe was a subtle extension of her poise and grace that felt entirely her own.

Hepburn’s quiet elegance — along with a dedication to flawless tailoring and a muted colour palette — make her the perfect muse for any capsule wardrobe devotee.

While she might be one of the 20th century’s most ubiquitous fashion figures, Hepburn was typically understated about her style and was once quoted as saying:

‘My appearance is accessible to everyone; with hair tied in a bun, big sunglasses and black dress, every woman can look like me.’

In celebration of Hepburn’s perennial appeal and the wearability of her clean, simple look, below are 8 pieces which channel a touch of Audrey’s je ne sais quoi.

Fitted Shirt

Image Credit: Left, Rare Audrey Hepburn, right, The Shirt Company

Featured Item: Aria White Tulip Neck Shirt, The Shirt Company

At the risk of preaching to the choir, a white shirt is the linchpin of any capsule wardrobe, and we feel the crisp purity of The Shirt Company’s Tulip Neck Aria shirt is befitting of an Audrey-inspired look.

Headscarf

Image Credit: Left, Deadly is the Female, right ID Peters

Featured Item: Silk Scarf Kente by ID Peters

The headscarf is having a fashion flashback right now and this organic, environmentally conscious Kente-inspired scarf from London’s ID Peters has a suitably chic, modern edge.

Oversized Shirt

Image Credit: Left, The Shirt Company, right, Cloth Habit via Pintrest

Featured Item: Ursula Boxy Oversized 'Artist's Smock' Organic Cotton Shirt, The Shirt Company 

Nothing breathes a relaxed air of laidback refinement more than the oversized or ‘boyfriend’ shirt, so naturally it is one of the touchstones of an Audrey-inspired look. Oh, and If you’ve ever bemoaned the baffling lack of usable pockets in women’s clothing, then Ursula is your girl!

Belted Dress

Image Credit: Extreme left, Getty Images via Harpers Bazaar, centre left,  The Shirt Company, centre right, Elle Gee Makes extreme right The Shirt Company

Featured Item: Le Marais Everyday Linen Midi Shirt Dress and Adelaide White Belted Midi Dress, The Shirt Company 

A belted dress is perhaps one of the most recognisable silhouettes from Audrey’s wardrobe, which is perhaps unsurprising considering the shirt dress’s practical, feminist roots. 

Subtle nips, tucks and updates shine on the simplicity of this form which will — equally simply — never go out of style.

Little Black Dress

Image Credit:  LVR and via Moviestore/Shutterstock/Rex via The Telegraph 

Featured Item: Givenchy Wool Crepe Mini Dress sold by LVR

While the iconic Givenchy little black dress might technically belong to Breakfast and Tiffany’s Holly Golightly, it simply demanded to be on the list. As Givenchy’s must, Audrey Hepburn inspired this classic into existence and, perhaps as a result, it is synonymous with her image.

The fact that this dress still bedecks countless teenage bedroom walls over half a century after the film’s release is testament to its visual power. 

Ruffled Shirt 

Image Credit: Left, Alexie right, The Shirt Company

Featured Item: Venice Ruffle Front Long Sleeved Shirt, The Shirt Company 

Heburn often favoured less extravagant looks, but the playful, feminie flavour of her style is palpable. A Ruffled or tuxedo pleated shirt gives a soft sophistication which still feels classic and fresh.

Polo Neck 

Image Credit: Left, John Smedley, Right, Classiq via Vanity Fair 

Featured Item: Massey Classic roll neck by John Smedley

The modish chic of the black polo neck (or turtleneck) somehow manages to be edgy, sophisticated and comfortable all at the same time. In the words of the seminal ‘70s fashion designer, Halston:

“Turtlenecks are the most comfortable garment you can wear. They move with the body, and they’re flattering too, because they accentuate the face and elongate the figure. They make life so easy: you can wear a turtleneck to work and then afterwards throw on a jacket, and it becomes very dressy. You can go anywhere you like” 

Stripes

Image Credit: Left, The Shirt Company, Right, collage by Everything Audrey 

Featured Item: The Veronica Bronze Stripe Cotton Dress by The Shirt Company

Synonymous with the breezy, holiday vibes of the seaside thanks to associations with the French Breton stripe, stripes in general convey a laid back feel which also feels cosmopolitan. Could there be anything more Audrey?