Film Fashion Friday: Roman Holiday

Who doesn't adore the style and fashion tastes of the magnificent Audrey Hepburn?! I know I do. I love the simplicity of the pieces she wore and how she wore things that brought of the best of her figure not hide it or distort it. For example, skinny jeans are NOT, repeat, NOT for everyone. They just aren't, Neither are low rise jeans (the horror-who invented those?!) or mini skirts or cut off t-shirts (ugh the 80s are back my dear!).

There is something special when a decade in history forms a specific style that defines that time. Like bell bottoms in the 70s or poodle skirts in the 50s. But again, knowing your figure and what looks good one you doesn't always mean that you should be wearing those bell bottoms or poodle skirts but rather than an alternative. Audrey did just that.

Audrey and Grace Kelly are two of my favorite style icons. Most likely because they liked clean, simple, and often solid colored pieces. Grace was known to have oodles of solid colored pieces in her private wardrobe and kept her pieces until their were too worn to wear. Pieces like that never go out of style.

Although the fabulous Edith Head was in charge of the wardrobe for Roman Holiday, upon meeting Audrey she soon learned that this acting newcomer knew what looked good on her frame and what worked and what didn't. Unfortunately, they did not see eye to eye on things and although Audrey would wear the long sleeves, scarf, and low heeled shoes that Edith picked for her character of Princess Ann, she slowly removed and altered them as the film progressed to suit what she believed looked right on her frame.

As well all know, Audrey would later work with Hubert de Givenchy on her films and would forge a lifelong work relationship and friendship with him. She most likely did because he knew what worked best on her figure too. Its like finding the right doctor or photographer or hair stylist. You have to work with those who will best fit your vision and help you get to your best you. Givenchy was that for Audrey.

Audrey a small handful of costume changes in the film but the one she is seen wearing the most frequently and the one she and Edith clashed on was "the commoner" look. She starts out with a white blouse, full belted skirt, low heeled shoes and long hair. As Princess Ann begins to explore Rome with under cover journalist, Joe Bradly (Gregory Peck) she cuts her hair short, shortens her sleeves, removes her scarf, and trades in her shoes for a pair of roman inspired sandals.

Although I have looked everywhere for the specific color of her skirt, I couldn't find it. I have seen it depicted as pink or blue or even red but perhaps we shall leave that for interpretation.

Here is a Roman Holiday everyday commoner look inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Edith Head:

Let's start with the skirt-it's from eShakti and it is divine. It has pockets just like Princess Ann's skirt does too! I know because I have it in black (I will be posting about it next week). It is a belted knee-length poplin skirt that I paired with a blouse from Modcloth called the Bettie Page Little White Tie Top. The accessories I choose were a pair of earrings called Bedecked with Blooms, a scarf called Runway We God Scarf, and a pair of to-do-for shoes called Define the Scenes Flats in Licorice-all from Modcloth.

I also found these great articles; How to Look like Audrey and How to Have an Audrey Influenced Style. And I just have to share the clip from the film Roman Holiday with you just so you can see a little more of her haircut here. And speaking of haircuts, although I couldn't find any Roman Holiday-esque hair tutorials, I did find two wonderful Sabrina ones here and here.

Have you seen Roman Holiday? What is your favorite part? Is Audrey a fashion icon in your eyes? If so, what it is about her style that you love?