Style Inspiration: Audrey Hepburn

Recently I noticed that a very old post about Audrey Hepburn style is the most-read item on this blog. So I thought it might be time to expand a little on that topic. The essence of the previous post was that while Audrey rocked an amazing sense of style, the things that made her signature look just don't work on every body shape. But does that stop us wanting to emulate her look? Of course not. So rather than wishing we all had Audrey's waif-like silhouette, perhaps a better approach would be to look at what made this woman's style essentials look so amazing on her, and find the variants that work best on us. We can get our inspiration from the elegance and simplicity of her wardrobe without having to wear the exact same clothes.

1. The little black dress and heels

When Holly Golightly had to pop off to Sing Sing in a hurry, she reached for her trust black dress and heels, and accessorized with a big hat and jewelled earrings. Sabrina had one too. It doesn't have to be black, but every girl needs a dress and a pair of shoes in her closet that she can throw on in a pinch and depend upon to look fab. Sleeveless or short sleeved is best. In winter, you can throw a cardi over it, but you can't chop off long sleeves in summer. And while it needn't be completely devoid of character, one charming detail is more than enough.

2. The white shirt

This was another Audrey favourite, and yet to rock it one absolutely must first understand it's appeal. It's no use buying the first button down you see. The white shirt on Audrey has an easy elegance to it. It's another throw it on and go kind of item due to it's perfect fit and unfussy colour. Other girls may find that they convey that simple sophistication in a dove grey wrap-around blouse, or a cream flouncy number.

3. Ballet flats

Holly Golightly had a pair of proper pointe shoes that she kept in her fridge. Now, I will be the first to admit that ballet flats are not all they are cracked up to be. Most of the time, they have no substance or support to them at all and end up hurting just as bad as heels. But there is still something gloriously unfussy about a ballet flat. The trick is to be very picky when buying them. Go for something with a slight hidden heel and some arch support and pretend you're Audrey skipping along the banks of the Seine.

4. The black turtleneck sweater

Now, turtlenecks do not suit everyone, but they did suit Audrey. As well as being part of her costume for Funny Face, they seem to have been a go-to outfit for her in real life also. The Internet is teeming with photos of her in this stylish basic. The black turtleneck accomplishes in winter what the white shirt does in summer. It's smart, it's simple, it's instantly right. Be it a cowl or a crew neck, a Bardot or a deep vee, there's a style to suit every girl. Neutrals are great but colour can be just as chic.

5. Colourful and patterned dresses

While everyone knows her as an LBD girl, Audrey often rocked playful prints likes stripes, florals and checks, and bold hues like this bright pink. The key to pulling it off with elegance is to make the print or the colour the centre of the outfit, and not force it to compete with seven other elements. This isn't to say that you can't accessorize. But with every further addition you make to the outfit, you need to stop and ask yourself if it's a little much. Audrey was all about simplicity.

Optional extras

A blow-them-away ballgown, straight and skinny black pants, capris for summer, lots of pearls and jewels, huge sunglasses, heaps of hats, silk scarves (wear on head or neck), black liquid eyeliner for that doe-eyed look.

Modern interpretation

Whether it's a Roman Holiday or not, comfy ballet flats, a cool blouse and big, dark sunglasses are perfect for vacationing in the sunshine.

Audrey's chic outfit for visiting Sing Sing in Breakfast at Tiffanys would also be perfect for nights at the theatre or dinner at a nice restaurant.

Are you inspired by Audrey Hepburn's style? How do you bring it into your wardrobe?

Weekend Reads

I considered going to see New Moon this weekend, but didn't realize it's two and a half hours long! I highly doubt Mr. Grad Student and I would have seen Twilight, had it not been one of the few version originale movies available to us on Boulevard Saint-Germain last January. Our expectations had been low, but actually the shiny vampires and melodramatic dialogue (what girl doesn't like to be called a "personal brand of heroin"?) were highly entertaining. Not sure that was the intention though...

♥ Mermaid in a Manhole talks about Putting the Spark Back in Your Life
♥ 10 Cheap Date Ideas for Fall from Surviving College Life.
♥ The two sides of the Twilight saga:
Whereupon My Brain Rotted and Died: New Moon is the Devil by The Naked Redhead
Twilight, Take Me Away!: Teen Vampires & Moms Who Love Them from Today on EMandLO.com
♥ Vanessa at Chicken Soup for the Dorky Soul has A Shy Girl's Guide to Parties.
♥ The Student Help Forum knows How To Enact Damage Control After A Classroom Catnap.
♥ Sarah Von's A Year In Yes 2010 Calendar is officially for sale!
♥ I loved the colour schemes in How to build a capsule wardrobe around three colours, at Oranges And Apples.

What are you up to this weekend?

The secrets of female friendships?

I wrote this post some time ago and was unsure whether to post it or not. Recently, I came across a post by Miss Peregrin who has pretty much the same problem and realized with much rejoicing that I am not alone. So I'm posting it...

There are lots of thing in this world that I can do very well. Baking chocolate cakes, shopping and reading maps are among them. There's one thing I have ceaseless trouble with, and that is making female friends. I don't know what happens. I am actually a pretty good friend. No really, I am. I give great advice on everything from pregnancy scares to pashminas. I am smart and funny and not in any way dark and twisty inside. Yet my friendship history is full of implosions that make the Hindenburg look like a pretty little light installation. I've advised on boy related woes which turned out to be an elaborate story designed to make me jealous. I mean, what the hell? I've gone places they liked and I hated, but when I tried to compromise it was the Greatest Betrayal of All Time.

Now, not everyone is like this, and I do have some super friends who are perfectly darling. But they don't live nearby anymore, so I often find myself in need of female company and having none. I want to make friends. But I am tired of giving so much to people and discovering years later that they are, in fact, kerrrrr-azy. They're like cute shoes that look perfectly suited you, and are great for a couple of outings. But eventually they start to pinch and squeeze, and you try to keep them in your life by limiting the time you spend in them and only wearing them on the surfaces they like... Yet you soon have to admit that they are hurting you and not supporting you most of the time.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with friends? What are the secrets to forming female friendships?