Last Updated on March 27, 2023 by amy
Audrey Hepburn set a fashion for butterfly glasses that has endured over generations.
With a refined style that was markedly hers, though, she was able to pull off a variety of sunnies, from oversized round glasses to vintage cat-eye frames.
Who Was Audrey Hepburn?
Audrey Hepburn famously said, “I never think of myself as an icon … I just do my thing.”
No doubt, the public begs to differ.
Born Audrey Kathleen Ruston, Hepburn was considered one of the biggest silver screen icons of her time. She was also recognized as a fashion icon because she balanced simplicity and elegance with European sophistication. .
Hepburn preferred a muted palette of black, white, beige, and pink. She wore cigarette pants and ballet flats at a time when full skirts and heels were all the rage. Hepburn was also spotted many times in oversized polo necks, Peter Pan collars, and penny loafers.
She still liked to add a feminine touch to her outfits, though, with statement pieces, such as a waist-cinching belt, a dainty silk headscarf, or a sparkling pair of chandelier earrings.
In her heyday, Hepburn was a muse to many famous designers, especially Hubert de Givenchy. He dressed and styled Hepburn for many of her iconic films, such as Sabrina (1954) and Love in the Afternoon (1954). Givenchy also designed Hepburn’s little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) to suit her slender and delicate frame.
Hepburn’s pleasing personality, innate elegance, and dedication to humanitarian efforts made her a role model for women growing up in the ‘50s who saw her as fashion-forward but still attainable. Meanwhile, her fans today love her for her charm, how she seemed completely unaware of how beautiful she was, and her effortlessly chic fashion aesthetic.
What Type of Glasses Did Audrey Hepburn Wear?
Sunglasses were a staple in Audrey Hepburn’s wardrobe, and a good pair is one of the few key pieces you need to emulate her look.
In fact, Hepburn told Barbara Walters as much in 1989. “My look is attainable,” she said. “Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large glasses, and the little sleeveless dresses.”
If you’re looking to emulate her look, check out these timeless frames by Classic Specs:
We know and love Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s for her famous little black dress, which paired with strings of pearls, white gloves, and a small tiara. Finishing the look is a pair of sharp wayfarers from Oliver Goldsmith.
The butterfly-shaped pair was custom-made for her character Holly Golightly. Hepburn’s delicate, square-shaped face allowed her to pull off the style to perfection. And like many other pieces she wore on-screen, those glasses immortalized her.
If you want a similar silhouette that’s more wearable, our Wayward frame in Havana Tortoise is as close as it gets. This butterfly flame will suit any face shape, and its tortoiseshell pattern complements any skin tone.
Wayward is available in other colorways, namely: Goldmine, Slate Blue, Olive Streak, and Matte Black. It is available with gray polarized lenses and can be made with power if you need vision correction.
Shop Wayward here!
If you’re going for a vintage look, grab our Mae sunglasses in Carbon Black.
An oversized round frame like this looks stunning on a delicate face like Hepburn’s, but it will suit round, oval, and square face types just as well.
You can also get our Mae frame in other colorways, including Brandy Tortoise, Marble Horn, and Jade Crystal.
Mae is available with single vision, progressive, and non-prescription lenses and comes with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings.
Shop Mae now!
Another statement butterfly frame, our Edie sunglasses in Dusty Rose Crystal add a brightening effect to the face.
This particular colorway complements both warm and cool skin tones, while the frame shape suits all face types, including square faces like Hepburn’s.
Edie is also available in Brandy Tortoise, Mediterranean Gradient, and Carbon Black and can be made with power if you need vision correction.
Shop Edie today!
Who Designed Audrey Hepburn’s Glasses in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
The eyewear brand Oliver Goldsmith made the famous butterfly glasses featured in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The oversized, tortoiseshell frame perched on the pretty face of Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly.
Throughout the film, Holly peered at others through her glasses, which effectively hid her expressions. The glasses symbolized her hiding most aspects of her life. She only took off the glasses completely when she wanted other people to see the real her.
Where Can I Get Audrey Hepburn’s Glasses?
Audrey Hepburn’s elegance and sophistication shone through, even when she was wearing her many cool specs.
Channel her signature style with timeless frames from Classic Specs!
Like Hepburn, our frames are understatedly chic. They are made of premium acetate sourced from a northern Italian factory and feature high-end construction and branded engraving. Our frames also come with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings and a 1-year scratch-free warranty. All non-prescription sunglasses offer 99.9% UVA and UVB protection.
Combined, these qualities make Classic Specs sunglasses an investment worth buying!
Chic and Classy: How to Dress Like Audrey Hepburn
There’s just something about Audrey Hepburn’s outfits that never goes out of style.
The epitome of beauty and grace, Hepburn wore timeless silhouettes, classic prints, and statement pieces that spoke to her refined taste. She carried clothes with elegance, drawing the attention of fashion houses from Givenchy to Balmain in her heyday.
Overall, her fashion aesthetic was characterized by sophistication that has influenced fashion for decades. Thanks to the enduring timelessness of Hepburn’s signature look, you can still channel her style today with the right pieces.
Below are styling tips to help you channel your inner Audrey Hepburn this season and beyond.
- Keep it simple. Hepburn’s style revolved around simple but classic pieces — never over the top. For example, she loved a good boatneck blouse and turtleneck. Other simple but classic pieces she favored include full skirts, cropped trousers, and loafers.
- Choose feminine pieces. Despite her understated style, Hepburn’s clothes always had a distinctly feminine quality. From her slim-cut trousers to little black dress, her outfits emphasized her natural grace and elegance.
- Embrace stripes. Stripes can be a tricky pattern to pull off, but Hepburn and her striped basics show us that they don’t have to be. As long as you choose the right pattern for your body type, you can create some gorgeous looks using striped pieces.
- Accessorize. Hepburn paid great attention to detail when putting her outfits together. She adored silk headscarves and often cinched her skirts with a waist belt. The power of a good pair of earrings was never lost on her as well.
- Dress with confidence. Hepburn’s style is so iconic because she didn’t follow the latest fashion trends or try to fit in with a certain crowd. Instead, she wore what made her feel comfortable and confident, and her style reflected this self-assuredness.
Why Choose Classic Specs?
High-end glasses typically demand higher prices. Many designer brands sell their frames well beyond the $1,000 price point when lenses and add-ons are included. Superior materials and construction account for some of this price premium, including Italian acetate and features like premium barrel hinges and branded engraving.
Classic Specs boasts timeless designs that many high-profile personalities prefer. Our frames are made of premium Italian acetate sourced from a family-owned northern Italian factory, featuring high-end construction and branded engraving. These aspects rival other brands. The main difference is the price: Classic Specs frames and lenses can often be purchased for less than $500. We offer virtual try-on and an online vision test, so the process is hassle-free (factors that celebs tend to prefer).
About Classic Specs
Classic Specs is known for its contemporary eyewear inspired by its designers’ favorite retro silhouettes. Born in Brooklyn, New York, the brand seeks to revive classic designs from every decade to create unique and iconic pieces for discerning consumers. Their frames feature high-quality craftsmanship with reinforced, stainless-steel hinges. Sourced from the famous six-generation Mazzucchelli family factory in northern Italy, Classic Specs frames are made of premium hypoallergenic cellulose acetate in unique, eye-catching chromotypes. Many lens options are available for reading glasses, distance, progressive, sunglasses, or fashion frames.
