I’m something of an Audrey Hepburn fan. You may have noticed.
I have been for as long as I can remember. My sister and I were raised on old movies by our parents. Of all the Hollywood stars I was exposed to, Audrey was the one that stayed with me. Maybe it was because her slender figure always made me feel better about my own scrawny frame. Perhaps it was the beauty of her simple, classic style. It may just be that she taught me everything I know about elegance. Whatever it is, her appeal has never waned.
If I was to be so bold as to claim a style of my own, I would have to acknowledge the massive influence Miss Hepburn has had on the way I dress. I can vividly remember purchasing my first pair of skinny, ankle-skimming black trousers and pairing them with black ballet pumps and a sweater in an attempt to emulate Jo Stockton in Funny Face. It wasn’t what my teenage peers were wearing, but I felt sophisticated and chic.
When it comes to sartorial choices, I tend to be drawn to things that make me feel just a little bit ‘Audrey’. I can’t be the only one who aspires to her simple, elegant style, so I present to you the first of my Hepburn inspired fashion finds from the Great British high street….
It may not have the bracelet length sleeves, or the soft tulip shape, but the Hobbs Maisie Coat instantly made me think of Holly Golightly. Audrey’s character wears her rust red Givenchy coat to wander round New York as she shares a day of firsts with Paul {or Fred, depending on which way you look at it}.
Fuelled with champagne, the giddy pair steal from a five and dime, pay a visit to the New York Library, and take a Cracker Jack toy to be engraved at Tiffany’s. It appears to be a bright, crisp, cold, Autumnal day in New York and, in a glamorous nod to the weather, Holly sports a pair of over sized shades with her otherwise cosy attire.
As I had decided to invest some serious money in my new winter coat {my first in years}, I decided to play it safe, opting for the Maisie in classic black. The wool is soft and warm, and the fit perfect. It’s still chic, and still Audrey, but I suspect I’ll dream of the sunset hued version for a very long time.
Have you bought a winter coat yet? Tempted by the Maisie?
Love Audrey xxx
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I have been longing for a red coat for about 3 years now but always revert back to black and ALWAYS, without doubt, have ripped the lining and lost some buttons by February. Winter coats are therefore a bit of a nightmare as far as I’m concerned!
Oh you must invest in a red coat Emma, I think you’d look fabulous in one. Do you know you can have coats re-lined? The seamstress at my local dry cleaners does it. Much cheaper than buying a new coat. They might even sew new buttons on for you 😉
xxx
I’ve just bought my coat for this winter and I love it. I’m always drawn to classic shapes for winter coats. They are such a big investment as they cover up lovely outfits underneath – you really need something you love. I have a red coat that I bought in the Christmas sales 2 years ago – £15 from New Look! It isn’t the best of quality but it adds a pop of colour to my winter wardrobe when I need it.
I saw your new coat on your blog Helen, it’s beautiful and suits you perfectly.
My other coat {the one I don’t mind the children clambering over with muddy shoes after rolling around at the park} was about £30 from New Look last winter. It’s a deep autumnal cranberry colour and I adore it.
I agree about the investement and covering up your carefully thought out outfits underneath. You also end up wearing it for half the year in the UK so you really need to love it!
xxx
I was wondering what your new Hobbs coat was like – very nice. I love coats and I love black so have quite a few. I’m not getting a new one this winter as I have plenty to go at. x
I love the feeling of bringing your trusted winter coat out. It’s a bit like an old friend! I always have mine dry-cleaned at the end of winter and pack it away carefully for the following year. I’m looking forward to wearing my new one for a very long time 🙂
xxx
That’s beautiful! I actually end up buying a red coat almost every year! I love wearing bright red in the winter, especially with tall black boots. My last one, two years ago, is a gorgeous double breasted red whistles coat (from their Jan sale), in a 60s flared style. You should definitely consider a red one next time 🙂 X
I would absolutely love to get any winter coat in a similar style! I’m 15 and managed to get a school one from Marks and Spencers 2 years ago. It was a perfect coat, it washed well, it was waterproof and it looked fine for school and for going out. It had a bell shaped bottom. It wasn’t red though, it was navy.
Unfortunatley, I’ve grown(still only 5″2 though) and now there is the problem of getting a new one. My mother says I need one that is waterproof and has a hood and cannot cost more than £50. But all the ones that I’ve fallen in love with have no hood and are wool! What to do?! Hopefully I’ll find something before it gets too cold 🙂
Oh gosh! That does sound like a challenge! I must admit I haven’t owned a waterproof coat for years, but I can see they’re far more sensible when you consider the weather in the UK! Best of luck with your search 🙂
xxx