A few actresses had as much influence on the fashion of the fifties and sixties as Audrey Hepburn. And it’s felt today that the items she popularised are still considered essential to every woman’s wardrobe. Because true style has no age. Richard Avedon was one of the people who advised her to emphasize and not hide her distinctive traits like her body, a new, modern model of femininity opposed to the shapely sexiness in vogue at Hollywood at the time, her eye-makeup created by the Italian Alberto De Rossi, thick eyebrows and her natural brown hair, cut short.
In How to Steal a Million
The iconic helmet hat she wears in her first scene with Oliver Goldsmith white sunglasses and a cream skirt suit, one of the several streamlined day suits she wears throughout the film. Audrey sported her new short hair-do in How to Steal a Million. The man who created it was the famous Alexandre of Paris, and he named this style “Coupe Infante ’66”.
What a divine pink coat! I could easily name a few designers who were inspired by this cut over the last seasons. All the coats Audrey is wearing in the film are exquisite. I would wear each and every one today and not a single one of them would look not even slightly out-dated.
A beautiful wool skirt suit. All the jackets and coats are 3/4 sleeved and the gloves are a must.
These gorgeous drop earrings are my favourite piece of jewellery, all by Cartier in the film.
The small heels were another Audrey trademark. She didn’t need high heels to be attractive, as Ralph Lauren commented in 1990: “There are two or three people who the public will never forget for their charm and elegance. Audrey Hepburn is number one.”
Black chantilly lace dress and jacket, black lace eye mask and that dramatic silver glitter eye shadow (the make-up was once again the creation of Alberto De Rossi).
The military style coat, in beautiful navy hue, could not be overlooked as part of such a timeless wardrobe. This one and Yves Saint Laurent’s coat worn by Catherine Deneuve in ‘Belle de Jour’ are two of the all-time most beautiful military inspired coats. Again the oversized white sunglasses: one of the many styles Audrey is synonymous with, and three ways of wearing her scarf.
Those fabulous sculpted front pockets! And a beautiful orange strap Cartier watch. I usually go for men’s style watches, but I like how feminine and delicate this one is.
The hats: another department her wardrobe excels in. Above she’s wearing a pillbox hat with a white-lapel nautical navy (again) suit and black accessories (the double chain strap bag is the one I love the most in the film). Below: another beautiful belted checkered coat.
“She had a natural grace, an innate elegance, a dazzling splendor.” Cecil Beaton
Audrey had a unique sense of chic that will never be beaten, and her wardrobe in How to Steal a Million is a reflection of the perfect synergy between Givenchy’s elegant lines and her impeccable taste: it felt like they both designed the clothes.
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images: screen stills from the film, captured by me; kindly link back to classiq if you would like to use any of these images; production credits
source: A Matter of Style: Intimate Portraits of 10 Women Who Changed Fashion
Oh, Ada, it was so wonderful to learn more about her wardrobe in this movie! First of all, this is one of my favourite movies EVER. I can watch it over and over and over again. Secondly, I’ve remembered her wardrobe since the first time I watched the film and I was a child then (this was THE ONLY Audrey’s movie that was allowed in Soviet Russia in the 1980s… )
Plus there’s that fab classic Jaguar XK – I have a super soft spot for that particular model (both classic and latest ones) and have a feeling the movie had a lot to do with that.
Wishing you a wonderful day, my sweet!
xxx
Oh yes, the Jaguar. My favourite car (too bad they changed the design radically about 5-6 years ago, the design has lost much of its classic charm-I am talking about all the models).
Another movie I haven´t seen! Love the post xoxo
Isn’t she just adorable ! I remember when I saw that scene driving with the helmet hat and thought wow this is so cool. She just stepped out of the pages of Vogue! And that black lace mask with the glittery eye shadow – gorgeous… now I’m going to have to watch it again…Lovely commentary Ada :)x
It’s been years since I saw that one and now I’m dying to watch it again, just for the style. Your stills are absolutely wonderful. And that pink coat – unforgettable!
Wonderful Ada.
xx
Pris
“true style has no age” – so well said! i actually haven’t seen this film, but i want to! i would wear literally everything she has on. oh, to have an unlimited budget 😉
xo
I am slightly obsessed with the pink coat!!! Definitely a statement piece. She looked fantastic in this film (as always!)
This was so beautiful Ada, you could’ve kept going and I would’ve kept reading. I can never get enough Audrey. That pink coat! The cream outfit and Jag…to die for! The neon yellow suit. The cut of the dress in the 2nd and 3rd image–I love all of it. Just gorgeous!
xo Mary Jo
I remember as a young girl being in awe of Audrey, when I was 9 I bought the full collection of all her movies on dvd!! She is as iconic as she is beautiful, and comes across so naturally and charming.
I would wear also all these coats and as you said, would not look a touch out of date!
Thanks for sharing, hope you are doing well xx
Oh what a perfect post to end my day! I remember so well being a young girl and watching her movies with my mom.
How gorgeous! Loving those fabulous shades! Have a wonderful weekend, Kellie xx
J’aime les photos! Elles sont superbes!
Angela Donava
https://www.lookbooks.fr
Thanks to netflix I watched this movie for the first time about a month ago and was totally in love with it. I love the black outfit she wears when she goes off to hire the buglar. Oh and that pink jacket – swoon!! Great post! – Katy
Oh, I’m speechless, Ada! To see all of these as stills in one place is fabulous! Yes, the coats are soooo divine!!!
I hope you have a very beautiful weekend!
xo – g
I cannot believe I missed this movie! Ada, thank you for your fabulous review: from a fashion perspective, this movie seems another triumph of the ‘couple’ Audrey Hepburn-Givenchy! I hope you are enjoying a great w-e!
Oh oh Audrey… she is an inspiration to us all. We can find something stirring in her that can totally kick us sweetly on the fashion butt.
Wow, Audrey’s outfits are all simply stunning; and to think they were all designed by Givenchy – they are all so classic and incredibly chic. I now need to watch this movie, if only for the fashion alone, but it also sounds like a charming story. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend Ada xx
I could see these images again and again without boring. The white look is GORGEOUS. That hat is really beautiful. The pink coat reminds me mine in black. SO CHIC.
PS: I like VERY MUCH your new blog look, Ada.
I’m glad you like the new look, Maria. 🙂
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