Fashion Icons Essay Example

When we hear the term "fashion icons," the first thing that comes to mind is timelessness, elegance, and uniqueness. A fashion icon is defined as a person who is highly fashionable. An icon is regarded as a representative symbol and is worthy of reverence. Fashion icons should, therefore, influence and shape the style of a whole generation. They should be remembered and influence the generations after their time. The exact definition of a fashion icon is encompassed in the mentioned points. With this definition in mind, two fashion icons perfectly fit this description: Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis whose individual sense of style exhibit some similarities and differences.

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Audrey Hepburn was a British actress, model, and humanitarian. It can be argued that she made her debut as a fashion icon when she starred in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. Her wardrobe in the film continues to influence the fashion world today. Hepburn's character gracefully wore pearls, ballet flats, over-sized black sunglasses, and over-the-top hats, a style which is still mimicked today

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the American First lady between the years 1961-1963. She is one of the most fashionable first ladies in the United States history. Her style was simple and feminine. It highlighted tailored looks and A-line dresses. A crisp pair of gloves often complimented her look.

These two women can be described as trendsetters. Jackie was renowned for her black sunglasses. She popularized the pillbox hat with a clean cut skirt suit look. Similarly, Audrey's oversized black sunglasses popularized the large plastic frames in an age where thin metallic frames had been the norm. She inspired the "little black dress." To this date, it is believed that the little black dress is a must have and should be a part of every woman's wardrobe.

In an era where Hollywood glamour was the norm, Audrey and Jackie embraced and exuded simplicity and comfort. They always looked comfortable. Jackie's style showed that fancy clothes don't make you elegant. Likewise, Audrey was simple and graceful. They embraced femininity and always wore clothes that were flattering to their physique: fine-boned for Audrey Hepburn and sporty and angular for Jackie.

Jackie was bold in her choice of clothes. She wore shoulder-barring gowns to official events which were very daring at the time. She accessorized with headscarves, and effortlessly pulled off capes at a time when this was rarely done. On the other hand, Audrey's bold nature was exhibited in her make-up, hairstyle, and jewelry. She often had a strong arched brow and a pixie cut.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was a pioneer of minimalism. She believed that one's wardrobe should not take away from who they are. She, therefore, chose to wear plain vivid colors with no decorations and monotones as seen in her choice to don the white on white on white ensemble. On the contrary, Audrey was known for her over the top hats. She loved color and decorations in her outfits. Her wardrobe could be described as youthful and fun.

Conclusion

Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis are both fashion icons in their own right. These two women both believed that comfort is a crucial factor in dressing. They embraced femininity and exuded confidence. There were trendsetters and still influence the fashion world to date. Compared to Audrey, Jackie was bold in her choice of ensemble. Audrey leaned towards simplicity in her selection of clothes. They had a unique sense of style which is emulated to date.