Effortless Style of Old Hollywood Icons

By Fatima N.

Let me reacquaint you with three words we have lost: pared down elegance. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy knew them. Audrey Hepburn knew them. Grace Kelly knew them. It's time for you to be acquainted/reacquainted with them too. Now, this is not to wag a finger at heels and dresses. This is just a way to sartorially switch things up for evening attire. Here is a quick look at the fashion choices of these iconic ladies for your everyday inspiration and outfit ideas.

Effortless Style of Old Hollywood Icons

1. Effortlessly Stylish: Grace Kelly

The most perfect summary of Grace Kelly's fashion sense comes in the form of a quote by Howell Conant, "You trusted Grace's beauty; you knew it wasn't built from clothes and makeup...hair pulled back, dressed in a simple boy's shirt. This was Grace: natural, unpretentious." That was exactly the Queen of Monaco, Her Serene Highness. She had a minimalist ease about her, in her dressing.

Grace Kelly 1956- aboard the SS Constitution
on her way to get married in Monaco

2. Effortlessly Elegant: Audrey Hepburn

Ballet flats, white button downs and cropped pants are only a few parts of Audrey's repertoire. Comfortable, casual and chic style doesn't even begin to describe it. Let me let the pictures do the talking.

Beautiful back necklace--
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's

3. Effortlessly Chic: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Jackie's sophistication and naturalness were shown in her sleek shifts and pillbox hats. She contributed to fashion, as seen by the amount of results you get when you search "The Jackie Look" or a variation of that on Google.

How to travel in style: Jackie Kennedy

Here are Club Fashionista blogger's fashion tips on how to incorporate the Old Hollywood glamour into your everyday wardrobe. 

1. Effortless Overcoats 

The main part of many of Jacqueline Kennedy's White House era outfits were coats designed by Oleg Cassini. They were beautiful stand-alone creations. Try the same thing the next time your evening out actually involves being out. Consult this article for help.

Overcoat: long duster coat 

2. Effortless Accessories

Statement necklaces have "statement" in their names a reason. The right one can transform your outfit from day to night. Don't stop there, dump your whole jewelry box out and start looking through it.

3. Effortless Flats

Pack those heels away for a while, they hurt anyway. Flats from your everyday wardrobe can make looks just as polished. If you really want to change it up, try sneakers or even combat boots under fancier garb.

Flats that work for every kind of office 

4. Effortless Pants

Take your dressy separates for a spin. You can look equally dressed up for the occasion substituting pants for dresses.

5. Effortless Jumpsuit

A perfect, tailored jumpsuit is a lifesaver for parties. Belt it, throw a blazer on it, you'll find it very versatile.

Of course, I've only brushed the surface. Looking around more is up to you. Thumb through some catalogs (I prefer J.Crew for this certain situation). Look to red carpet events, celebrities are also exchanging their dresses and heels for pants and flats. You'll see that elegance and glamour have no single definition in fashion! Until next time, signing-off from New York City! Xo.

Effortless elegance:
black turtleneck & white high waisted pants