Audrey Hepburn Was 'Practical About Fashion' & It Made Her Style Timeless

Legendary actor Audrey Hepburn may be best known for her glamorous roles in movies like "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "My Fair Lady," and "Roman Holiday," but this fashion icon also turned heads with her simple everyday style. In fact, according to her son Luca Dotti, Hepburn's daily wardrobe was actually quite practical. "She loved clothes and was very aware that fashion had been a very important part of her fame. It made her confident, on stage and offstage," Dotti told People. "She was, however, practical about fashion. By the time she was living in Switzerland in the countryside, working in Africa, her wardrobe was basically jeans, sneakers, and T-shirts, with comfortable sweaters."

But practical definitely doesn't mean boring — Hepburn's style was anything but that. Her sons, Dotti and Sean Hepburn Ferrer, explained to People that her simple wardrobe staples, including pieces like crisp white shirts and headscarves, actually made her a "symbol of style that still survives." Hepburn passed away in January of 1993, but her iconic style lives on through the classic wardrobe essentials she inspired throughout her career, just like these Audrey Hepburn outfits that still feel so timeless.

It's hard to imagine looking this classy while plowing an Italian vineyard, but if anyone could pull it off, it was Audrey Hepburn. She had a knack for taking even the simplest clothing and accessories and making them appear modern and relevant, as proven by these celebs who have paid homage to Audrey Hepburn with beauty and fashion looks. Take, for example, her signature ballet flats. Hepburn was known for donning these comfy classics in various colors and shapes — she even wore them on her wedding day. Ballet flats have remained a wardrobe staple throughout the years, even trending as a must-have in 2026. 

Audrey Hepburn also helped elevate a pants style that's still trending to this day — capris. Whether she wore a fun gingham print or a classic black style, cropped pants were a chic staple in Hepburn's closet. She especially loved pairing them with ballet flats to complete her look. 

In addition to these memorable wardrobe pieces, Hepburn also understood the impact of smaller accessories, and how they could instantly transform even the simplest outfit. For instance, it's hard to think of Audrey Hepburn without picturing her in her oversized black sunglasses in "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Whether she opted for a cat-eye style or classic Ray-Bans, Hepburn always made a statement with her choice of eyewear. As Audrey Hepburn herself once said, "Why change? Everyone has his own style. When you have found it, you should stick to it."