What would Audrey do? It's a question I ask myself often. To me, she's not just a person, she's a lifestyle. Audrey Hepburn is a 20th century icon of Hollywood's Golden Age - starring in movies such as "Breakfast at TIffany’s," "Sabrina," "Roman Holiday" and more. She was the epitome of what it is to be stylish in every aspect of life. The famous actress and activist had it all: grace, class, elegance. Audrey is goals. Trying to capture Audrey’s style has been a quest by many, especially me. So, here's some words of advice and tips to follow the legend herself.
1. “Forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile."
2. Black turtlenecks are timeless and chic. Like Audrey.
3. “Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, ‘I’m possible!’”
4. Have confidence in your accessories. Audrey was constantly sporting bold hat choices, but what really made them work was how she wore them.
5. You can belong to someone without “being in a cage,” so to speak. Audrey played Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany’s" (1961), and taught audiences the distinction between being independent versus feeling owned by your partner in a relationship.
6. “Let’s face it, a nice creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people. It does for me.”
7. When traveling, go for the effortless vintage look and put on a headscarf around some dark sunglasses.
8. Black eyeliner should become your new best friend. Audrey Hepburn was known for her flawless jet black eyeliner and thick, full lashes. Practice your application and make sure your focus is on the eyes by keeping the cheeks and lips more natural and subtle.
9. “Happy girls are the prettiest girls.”
10. Come to terms with your weaknesses and learn to play up your strengths.
In her youth, Audrey studied ballet for many years and became talented in the field. Upon asking Marie Rambert (who had great influence on British ballet) about her future, she was told that while it would not be impossible to have a career in dance, her height and issues that resulted from poor nutrition during wartime would prevent her from becoming a prima ballerina. The good news is that she took this in stride and moved on to acting.
11. Elegance is the beauty that never fades. For example, look at any photo of Audrey Hepburn. Literally any of them. See? Cool.
12. A simple, go-to-hairstyle is a ponytail. It doesn’t have to solely for the gym, the do is classy and cute with any look.
13. “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”
14. Always keep a pair of glamorous statement sunglasses as a wardrobe staple.
15. It’s not worth your time or your breath to pursue a man who doesn’t see your worth in the first place. In her role as Sabrina in the 1954 film by the same name, Audrey learns that lesson the hard way.
16. Overdressing is better than under-dressing. Being well dressed provides a feeling of confidence when you’re out and about.
17. “The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.”
18. “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”
19. For effortless style during warmer months, pair a long sleeve button-down with shorts.
20. Live in the moment and take the day off to do what you’ve always dreamed ("Roman Holiday," 1953).
21. Embrace the quirks that make you who you are.
In her role as Jo Stockton in "Funny Face" (1957), her character was teased for having a strange face. Her character ended up being a hit, just like Audrey herself.22. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” During her later years after her departure from acting, Audrey Hepburn worked for UNICEF and volunteered abroad.
23. Audrey Hepburn played up hairstyles to suit her features, famously sporting a pixie cut during the 1950s. Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist for ideas on how to change up your look.
24. “Paris is always a good idea.”
25. Make efforts to become culturally savvy.
Audrey grew up surrounded by many influences in her upbringing based on her moving about. She had spent time in Belgium, Britain and the Netherlands. The results of which made her bilingual in English and Dutch. Later on she became fluent in French, Italian, Spanish and German. Being a polyglot helped her career and with her volunteer work later down the road.
26. Learn to make something good out of every situation, even the heartbreaking.
When Audrey grew up during World War II in the Netherlands during the Dutch famine, she suffered from malnutrition, acute anemia, respiratory problems and edema. When she retired, those hardships inspired her to become dedicated to humanitarian efforts later in life. Devoted to UNICEF, Audrey spent her time aiding impoverished children in the poorest parts of the world.
27. “You can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him.”
28. “I never thought I’d land in pictures with a face like mine.”
I know so many gorgeous girls who find small insecurities that keep them from seeing what everyone else sees. No matter how beautiful, all women have insecurities. Learn to love who you are and how to see the real you in the mirror.
29. “The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.”
30. Keep your choices simple when it comes to your closet. Even Audrey couldn't wear every trend that came around, she based her wardrobe on what fit her best.
