The 1960s was a decade of revolutionary change, and womens fashion was no exception. Emerging from the more conservative styles of the 1950s, 1960s Womens Fashion exploded with youthful energy, bold colors, and daring new silhouettes. At the forefront of this sartorial shift was Audrey Hepburn, a movie star who effortlessly embodied the elegance and evolving trends of the era. Her style journey throughout the decade provides a perfect lens through which to examine the key movements in 1960s womens fashion.
In the early years of the 1960s, a sophisticated and polished look, reminiscent of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, was highly sought after. This style emphasized tailored skirt suits, often in pastel shades or classic neutrals. These ensembles were impeccably accessorized with gloves, elegant hats, and structured handbags, creating an aura of refined femininity. Audrey Hepburn, already a celebrated style icon, embraced this aesthetic, frequently seen in chic skirt suits that mirrored the First Lady’s iconic image.
As the decade progressed, 1960s womens fashion took a dramatic turn towards the youthful and modern “Mod” style. Hemlines began to rise, colors became brighter and bolder, and geometric patterns and playful designs came into vogue. Minidresses and skirts became increasingly popular, reflecting a newfound sense of liberation and a celebration of youth culture. Hepburn, always adaptable and stylish, incorporated these Mod elements into her wardrobe. She was seen sporting shorter hemlines, vibrant colors, and accessories that echoed the Space Age fascination of the mid-sixties, perfectly capturing the youthful spirit of this evolving fashion landscape.
By the late 1960s, womens fashion was again in flux. While the Mod look continued to be relevant, new influences were emerging. Eastern-inspired styles and longer, flowing skirts began to appear on runways and in fashion magazines. However, a significant segment of the population, and indeed many established designers, were not quite ready to fully embrace these radical shifts. Hepburn’s 1969 wedding to Andrea Dotti, where she wore a chic pink minidress, provides a fascinating snapshot of this transitional moment in 1960s womens fashion. Her choice reflected a continued embrace of modern, shorter styles, even as longer hemlines were starting to gain traction, highlighting the diverse trends coexisting at the end of the decade.
Before the Mod craze fully took hold, Hepburn starred in the 1963 film Charade, a movie that served as a visual feast of early 1960s Parisian chic. Her wardrobe in the film, again largely designed by Givenchy, perfectly captured the sophisticated yet playful elegance that defined Parisian style at the time. From tailored coats to stylish dresses, her outfits in Charade would have been equally at home on Jackie Kennedy or gracing the pages of Vogue, solidifying Hepburn’s status as a global fashion icon and showcasing the timeless appeal of early 1960s womens fashion.
No discussion of Audrey Hepburn and 1960s womens fashion would be complete without mentioning the iconic black dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This dress, designed by Hubert de Givenchy, is perhaps one of the most enduring and recognizable garments in fashion history. Its simple yet elegant silhouette, perfectly accessorized with pearls and gloves, became synonymous with chic 1960s style and cemented Hepburn’s place as a timeless fashion icon. The “little black dress,” already a wardrobe staple, was elevated to new heights of desirability and sophistication thanks to Hepburn and this unforgettable cinematic moment, leaving an indelible mark on 1960s womens fashion and beyond.
Audrey Hepburn’s influence on 1960s womens fashion is undeniable. She navigated the decade’s rapidly changing trends with grace and style, embodying both the sophisticated elegance of the early years and the youthful modernity of the mid-to-late sixties. Her collaborations with Givenchy, both on and off-screen, resulted in a wardrobe that was not only aspirational but also, in its simplicity and chicness, remarkably accessible and endlessly copied by women around the world, solidifying her legacy as a true icon of 1960s womens fashion.
