MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 11 Week 39 September 29, 2016

Remember: only the last 4 weeks remain posted!

10 Inspiring Fashion Icons

Each season the fashion industry introduces new fashions to entice us to buy. However, our fashion sense is also strongly influenced by social media (online, T.V. magazines, social apps) about what we should buy (and wear) to be current, and fashionable.

We watch (and often admire) celebrities, and others public figures that dress well and want to emulate their style. However, current celebrity style didn't just happen; their styles are "reworked" looks from the past.

Here’s my list of 10 style icons. Over the decades, I feel these ten style icons made a really impressive impact on our styles and fashions of today. Of course, there are so many other icons that have been left off my list like: Princess Diana, Farrah Fawcett, Kate Middleton, Helen Mirren, Michelle Obama...and the list could go on and on.

1. Audrey Hepburn: Makes Little Black Dress Famous

Some could argue that Audrey Hepburn is the reason for fashion’s obsession with the little black dress. Her classic look (shown above) from Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the most iconic “Old Hollywood” looks there is. This simple Givenchy gown, 3-strands of pearls will be forever known as the most famous Audrey Hepburn look.

Classic, tailored pieces and elegant style define Audrey Hepburn. Her style appears effortless and continues to be popular because most of her pieces are basic items and with a minimal wardrobe-you can be a classic like her!

2. Elizabeth Taylor: Queen of Diamonds

Elizabeth Taylor’s fashion sense could always be described as bold. Her glamour looks were full-on bold, from feather boas to plunging necklines. Her glitz and glam looks still resonate with Hollywood today every time they are looking to dress up for an occasion. Elizabeth Taylor’s “go bold or go home” glam gave no apologies.

Either of these above looks could be easily worn today...from the hair to the dress and earrings.

Elizabeth Taylor will be remembered for her affinity of diamonds. Richard Burton’s first jewelry purchase for Elizabeth Taylor was a 33.19 carat diamond in 1968!

3. Diana Ross: Motown Chic

Motown would not have been what it is today if were not for the influence of Diana Ross. She wore extravagant wigs, glitzy embellished gowns, and became Motown’s queen of diva fashion.

Diana Ross blurred the lines between stage-wear and everyday wear. From her early years singing with the Supremes in the 1960’s to her solo singer career and as an actress, Diana Ross made a strong fashion statement. Elegant, chic with bold hair and outfits, she made everyone take notice of her superb style.

4. Grace Kelly: The Princess of Sophistication

Grace Kelly’s classic, sophisticated style was always impeccable. Her iconic feminine dresses and tailored ensembles made her one of the most influential fashion icons of her time.

Her classic style was so popular that Hermès renamed one of their handbags, the “Kelly” bag after the actress was spotted toting her Hermes around on numerous occasions.

Timeless style of Hollywood's real-life fairytale princess. Grace Kelly’s style has proven to timeless. Most of Grace Kelly’s ensembles would look current today.

Above: Edith Head designer dress worn in 1954 with Robert Holden.Below: Either of these looks could easily be worn today!

5. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: Simply Chic

Jackie Kennedy Onassis wowed the public with her chic, yet simple fashion sense.

Onassis was a fashion trendsetter of the 1960s. American women eagerly sought out the famous “Jackie look,” and department stores scrambled to produce affordable imitations of her sleek, classy dresses.

From boxy Chanel suits, to Halston pill box hats, she reshaped fashion’s view of conservative clothes. Jackie Kennedy Onassis left an amazing fashion legacy behind.

6. Katharine Hepburn: A Tailored Classic

Katharine Hepburn was one of the most idolized actresses of her generation. On-screen, Katharine fashioned her very own personal style that embodied the American look, whereas her off screen wardrobe favored sportswear.

In the 1950’s women wore dresses everyday. However, Katherine Hepburn declared pants the “middle of the road” and wore them. She became famous for her sportswear look.

Katherine took a lot of flack for her “pants” fashions, often called “too masculine” or “too rough”.

“I have not lived as a woman. I have lived as a man,” Hepburn told Barbara Walters in 1981. “I’ve just done what I damn well wanted to and I made enough money to support myself, and I ain’t afraid of being alone.”

7. Lauren Bacall: Chic

When Lauren Bacall walked into the room, with her dress shirt open and tucked into high-waisted pants, a long chain dangling below her braless look-men practically flew from their chairs at the chance to light her cigarette. Her deep, confident voice, and her perfectly wavy hair, she was description of effortless glamour.

Lauren Bacall’s effortless glamour included silk blouses, blazers, pencil skirts and pleated trousers. Becall transformed professional attire into glamorous style.

8. Madonna: Shock Couture

Madonna is the pop diva of fashion in the 1980’s. Although she originally adopted a casual tomboy look in the 80s, she quickly evolved into one of the most influential fashion gurus in the industry.

In fact, concerts wouldn’t be as extravagant as they are today if it weren’t for Madonna’s on-stage fashion choices that changed the way people view their artists.

Shocking and over-the-top clothing on-stage, and off-stage as well.

The popular grunge style of the 80’s was lead by Madonna. Her music audience and fashion followers of this “street smart” look were vast because of her numerous chart topping hits keeping her in the public’s eye.

9. Marilyn Monroe: Bombshell Curves

Marilyn Monroe made subtle sex appeal mainstream. With new fashions, from the high-waisted bikinis (currently trending again) to this classic full-skirted halter dress (shown above in the photo from the movie “The Seven Year Itch”) to the sleek pencil skirt, Marilyn Monroe iconic fashion remains a look that never goes out of style!

Belted sweater dress at the USO in 1954...

Monroe created a legacy that continues to be impersonated on a regular basis-no matter what year it is.

10. Twiggy: The “it” Girl of the 60’s

Twiggy quickly rose to stardom after being photographed with drawn-on lashes, which was a trend that had yet to be explored. Once she had established herself as an ‘it’ girl, she became a notable fashion icon known for her daring and trendsetting styles in the 1960’s!

Twiggy’s fashions were bare and daring. As a supermodel in the 1960’s she become a huge trendsetter, daring dresser and a fashion icon. Styles were created for her to wear; like the shift dress. Perhaps you have one (or two) in your closet right now. Of course, her shift dresses were about 6-7 inches above the knees (quite scandalous at the time). These short shift dresses became know as the “mini”. Twiggy also loved ribbed sweaters which help add curves to her uber-slim boyish frame.

Twiggy was also a leader in the “braless” liberation of the 60’s. Bras were ditched for camisoles which was an easy way to dress, since Twiggy never really needed a bra anyways. Simplicity’s most popular sewing pattern in the 1960’s was this shift dress with peter pan collar...

**BONUS** Iris Arfel: Unique Style, Interior Designer, and Business woman

I just couldn’t conclude this article without mentioning Iris Arfel. At the current age of 95, this style icon has seen and done everything!

Arfel is known for her “bug eye” round black glasses as her signature look. She’s quite the character as you might assume by looking at her and her flamboyant style. When interviewed about her large eye glasses she replied, “Why are they so large?’ and I would say because they are better to see you. And that would shut them up.”

What does Iris Apfel think about “dressing for your age”? "I think that's stupid," Apfel says about the phrase. "I think designers are all entirely too youth-oriented. I think a lot of them create very expensive clothes for women in their 60s and 70s, and people who wear them, and they create them for 16- and 18-year-old bodies. The kids can't afford them, and the women look like a horse's ass if they put it on. So it's all out of whack."

She'd like to see designers and the industry change and to be more attentive to "that whole segment of society that is neglected." But at the end of the day, women should just dress for themselves.

"I think if a woman has her own style and knows who she is, she doesn't have to dress for being 60 or 20 or 90," ..."I mean, there are just some certain things that older women shouldn't do," Apfel adds. "But otherwise, I don't think there are any rules. Older women shouldn't show excess flesh. They should wear sleeves. They shouldn't wear mini skirts. They shouldn't wear very high heels. They shouldn't wear too much makeup. They shouldn't have long, flowing hair. Things like that which are just common sense."

But the this sassy style icon who just turned 95 in August isn’t judging.

"Well, it's not my place to stop them," Apfel says. "You're asking me my opinion. If they want to show it off, be my guest. I want you to be happy. I always say it's better to be happy than well dressed. Do your own thing. I don't sit and judge anybody. I don't like rules and regulations, but these are just some common sense things. I think it's nice to look in a mirror once in awhile."

Personally, I find Iris Apfel’s style refreshing, not because it’s so bold and noticeable, but because it is uniquely her own. She bangs her own drum. She’s not looking for the latest style so she can jump on the trend, she’s not

thinking older women should wear soft, subdued colors. She’s her own woman-strong and proud.

What style icon do you adore or admire for their unique style?

Copyright © 2006-16 LagTag LLC All rights reserved. This message may not be forwarded or reproduced in any format without the express

written consent of MissusSmartyPants.com. Violators will be unsubscribed