A balance of simplification and class is the main ingredient to dress like Audrey Hepburn in Warm Weather.

I have never been one to don lots of accessories. In fact, my jewelry collection is quite small being that I am a stylist. But the truth is I like to let the clothes I wear speak for themselves.

More often, than not, when putting together an outfit I stop when I am about to consider accessories. I think “why do I need to add anything else?”

I used to feel weird about this. That was until I studied Audrey Hepburn’s style. She totally changed my outlook on style.

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Hepburn is known as one of history’s great style icons and yet her style was very simple. She had a keen understanding of balance. Whether that be with a fun pattern, bold color, or statement piece she always knew how to keep it elegant.

The principles of Audrey Hepburn’s fashion choices are timeless and can be applied to any season, especially spring and summer.

How to dress like Audrey Hepburn in Warm Weather

Dress Simple and Classy

Less is more. After all Coco Chanel famously said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”

While researching Hepburn a theme I kept seeing was how “un-movie star like” she was. She never felt the need to dress in ostentatious ways. She loved style and the confidence it gave her. She often kept it simple and classy by letting beautiful things speak for themselves.

Play with simplicity this spring and summer. If you are wearing a pattern, dramatic accessory, or pair of statement shoes keep it classy by going with solid, or even better neutral, colors for the rest of your outfit.

Top: Tuck in or Tie Up “Maria” Blouse

Dressing Like Holly Golightly

In the iconic movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly is known for her extravagant outfits. In the movie she is seen sporting bright saturated colors, furs, and large statement pieces of jewelry.

What I love about Hubert de Givenchy’s costuming of Hepburn is the understated glamour. With most of her costumes, he picks one grand statement pieces and pairs it with other simple yet elegant pieces.

Dress like Holly Golightly this spring and summer by wearing a jewel-toned sheath dress, dramatic wide brimmed sun hat, and big glamorous black framed sunglasses.

Dress: The “Evelyn” Wiggle Dress

The Classic Black Dress

Is there really anything more synonymous with Hepburn’s style than the classic little black dress? This wardrobe staple that Hepburn is so well known for set a record in 2006 when “her Breakfast at Tiffany’s LBD … was auctioned for £410,000, six times the original estimate.” –Vogue

Styling a Black Dress with Audrey Hepburn Style for Warm Days

Whether in her movie costumes or own wardrobe, Hepburn, at most, chose one statement piece to wear along with her little black dress. This was often in the way of a hat, hairpiece, or big piece of jewelry.

A bright handbag is an easy and elegant way to style a classic little black dress and dress like Audrey Hepburn in warm weather.

Dress: “Lola” Shirtwaister Dress

Always be Impeccably Tailored and Dress for your Proportions

Hepburn knew the importance of a properly fitting garment. In every photo you see of Hepburn her clothes look like they were made for her. Well they practically all were because she had them tailored!

Tailors are a great way to make cheap clothes look expensive. They are generally pretty affordable and can make almost any garment look as if it were made for you.

Dressing for your proportions

It is important to recognize that Hepburn’s body shape is one-of-a-kind, as is yours. She had a keen understanding of her proportions and what looked good on her body. With her very slender shape she often wore things nipped at the waist to define and balance her figure.

What flattered Hepburn’s shape might not necessarily flatter you. Play with different silhouettes to find what suits your body best.

For myself I will be wearing this tropical 2 piece set a lot this spring and summer. Being smaller chested I love the wrap top because it can conform to my shape. The full skirt is a great option for my figure as I have a slim waist and full hips.

Top: The “Darla” Short Sleeve Wrap Blouse

Skirt: The “Beverly” Button Front Full Circle Skirt

Balencing out a pattern with a white piece

A trademark pairing of Hepburn’s casual style was balancing out a patterned piece with a white piece.

The photo above of Mel Ferrer and Hepburn is one of my absolute favorite examples of this and outfit’s of Hepburn in general. She has paired a fun, big blocked, bright red high waisted gingham pant with a simple sleeveless white turtle neck that she has tucked in.

To dress like Audrey Hepburn in warm weather try playing with a patterned top and white pair of shorts or vice versa.

Top: The “Darla” Short Sleeve Wrap Blouse

The fit and flare dress

The classic fit and flare dress might be my all time favorite clothing silhouette ever. period.

The way it gently puffs out as I run down the subway stairs and its a-plus twirl vibes make me feel like a princess.

Hepburn was not only often costumed in fit and flare styles, but donned them in her everyday life.

The tailored top and unstructured skirt of a fit and flare dress make it a great addition to a summer capsule wardrobe. It can be dressed up or dressed down to the occasion.

Dress: The “Suzy Sun Dress”

A bit of Sunshine

Possibly not as well known of a trademark of Hepburn was her wearing the color yellow.

I dislike so much how much yellow is hated on in the style world. It happens to be one of my favorite colors! Hello: I LOVE sunflowers!!

And I also love how beautiful Hepburn looks in yellow.

Welcome the season of warmth and happiness by adding some yellow to your lewks.

Note about yellow: If you want to wear yellow, but don’t believe you can, throw out that belief! There are an infinite number of shades/hues of yellow. Try out different yellows in different pieces to find what works for you. I am a firm believer that anyone can look great in any color, it is just a matter of finding the right variation.