The Modern-Day Brands Our Favorite Fashion Icons Would’ve Loved
It’s safe to say that many of us spend our sartorial lives trying to re-create the effortless style of Jane Birkin, Bianca Jagger, and the like. The original trendsetters, the seven fashion icons below showed us what it means to have a trademark look. Now more than ever, given the ’70s throwback vibes that are so on-trend this season, we were inspired to delve into the photographic archives of some of our favorite It girls of all time. The easiest route to take if you want to emulate the looks these icons perfected? Shop the modern-day brands that would’ve been their go-tos when the world was watching their every sartorial move. Naturally, we couldn’t help but peruse the brands’ offerings with these icons in mind. So if you’re wondering what brands would suit the gamine Audrey Hepburn or Brigitte Bardot’s bombshell sensibilities, read on!
Scroll down to see the brands and shop the pieces that the fashion icons would’ve loved!
The ’60s icon’s signature mod, glamorous style would’ve found sanctuary among Zara’s wide selection of graphic printed minidresses, bold color offerings, and structured separates. We’d happily follow in the Brit model’s footsteps in the hopes of re-creating her polished style.
Zara Printed Dress ($80) in Black/White
Zara Linen Coral Coat ($149)
Zara Wooden Medium Heeled Sandals ($70) in Lime Green
One of the original bombshells, Brigitte Bardot had a classic, French Riviera–inspired style that was alluring, to say the least. The beauty’s aesthetic is in perfect sync with Tibi. With a plethora of “Bardot-style” (the off-the-shoulder silhouette made famous by its namesake) dresses and tops this season and a consistent feeling of fresh femininity in each collection, we think the brand would’ve been a favorite of Bardot’s.
Tibi Sakura Off-Shoulder Dress ($695) in White
Tibi Striped Tie-Front Cropped Top ($275) in Navy Stripe
Tibi Windowpane Jacquard Culottes ($375) in Blush
So inspired by Jane Birkin is Reformation that it even named a dress in its current collection after her. Birkin’s casual, cool style is what off-duty dreams are made of, making it the perfect match for the brand’s effortlessly cool offerings.
Reformation Jane Dress ($78) in Rosmini
Reformation Nicola Top ($168) in Candlelight
Reformation Abigail Skirt ($198) in Palomino
Audrey Hepburn’s perennially polished style is aspirational in every way, making her the ultimate icon for those among us who wish to emulate her sophisticated yet playful look. Hepburn would’ve loved Equipment’s timeless, whimsical printed blouses and cropped silk trousers.
Equipment Brad Shirt ($203) in Cream
Equipment Lewis Shorts ($178) in Peacoat/Elfin Yellowstar Cluster Print
Equipment Sienna Top ($168) in Bright White/Army Jacket
Françoise Hardy’s cool, androgynous style would be the perfect partner for MiH Jeans’ vintage-inspired denim and classic separates. Every one of the brand’s pieces is in perfect keeping with the French-girl effortlessness that the Francophile songstress so expertly perfected.
MiH Jeans The Poncho Dress ($207) in Desert Denim
MiH Jeans Hutton Breton Shirt ($225) in Navy
MiH Jeans Marrakesh Kick Flare Jeans ($198) in White
When we think of Ali MacGraw, it’s hard not to envision her preppy alter ego in Love Story. But in reality, MacGraw’s style leaned more toward the bohemian, favoring paisley prints and breezy shirtdresses paired with knee-high boots, making Free People’s carefree boho offerings the obvious choice.
Free People Xanadu Halter Midi Dress ($100) in Night Combo
Free People New Romantics Mimi Top ($68) in Black
FP One Fly Away Tunic ($108) in Ivory
The ultimate disco queen, Bianca Jagger would’ve had a field day with ASOS’s vast offerings when shopping for her notorious nights out at Studio 54. From sleek jumpsuits to deep-V-neck dresses and a plethora of night out–worthy accessory options to complete the looks, Jagger would’ve undoubtedly turned heads in ASOS’s on-trend pieces.
ASOS Denim Wide Leg Cut Out Denim Jumpsuit ($90) in Indigo
ASOS Caftan With Keyhole Maxi Dress ($99) in Cobalt Blue
ASOS Denim High Waisted Wide Leg Jeans ($73) in Fox Midwash BlueWhich fashion icons do you most admire? Tell us in the comments below!
Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
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