All Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dresses - Your Guide to Chic Vintage Style
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Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday outfit, Audrey Hepburn style in Roman Holiday, her chic vintage fashion throughout the movie
This post is all about the Audrey Hepburn dresses and fashion in Roman Holiday, and her chic vintage style outfits.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday is a romantic coming of age story, centered on a beautiful runaway Princess who tours Rome for a day with a dashing reporter. (Gregory Peck)
The fashionable Princess Ann is none other than the charming Audrey Hepburn.
This is the film that catapulted Audrey Hepburn to stardom, and won her the Oscar for Best Actress.
The 1950s skirt and blouse outfit that Audrey Hepburn wears while touring Rome with her handsome reporter has become so iconic, that many major brands have simply titled their copy-cat classic button-up blouses “The Hepburn.”
You’ll love Audrey Hepburn’s vintage style transformation, which even includes a haircut.
It’s the opposite of most Cinderella makeover movies.
In this film the Princess transforms from a very formal elegant style to a young and feminine casual chic style.
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What did Audrey Hepburn wear in Roman Holiday?
In Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn wore a stunning range of 1950s outfits, which ranged from elegant day dresses and formal ballgowns, to her iconic casual skirt outfits and pajamas.
Deservedly Audrey Hepburn is famous for her 1950s skirt and blouse outfit from this movie, which is a button-up blouse, swing skirt, silk scarf, and tie sandals, yet in the movie, she actually wears more than four different variations to this outfit.
For shoes, Audrey Hepburn wears a few styles of vintage 1950s pumps, as well as her famous retro ankle tie sandals. (And yep, surprisingly, no ballet flats in this movie, even though her love for those is legendary)
Audrey Hepburn’s fashion accessories include colorful scarves and wide belts for her casual outfits, and vintage hats, glittering jewelry, and gloves for her dressy outfits.
In the beginning of the film, Audrey Hepburn’s character Princess Ann makes a series of appearances at formal public events, for only seconds on screen, in a sequence of glamorous gowns as she is whisked across London, Paris, and finally Italy in breathtaking succession.
This quick wardrobe sequence feels like browsing through a 1950s fashion catalog, as each outfit Audrey Hepburn wears is fashionably chic as she makes her appearances at various charities and functions.
In true vintage style, and as is fitting for a princess and a lady, she wears a beautiful fitted vintage dress, paired with gloves, pearls, and, a stylish retro hat, fit for each occasion.
Notice how her hair is always upswept into a formal updo for these grandiose state events.
Fun Fact!
The reason Roman Holiday was filmed in black and white was so that the actors wouldn’t be “upstaged’ by the breathtakingly romantic setting of Rome. Don’t you wish we could see Audrey and her retro outfits in full glorious color?
How old was Audrey Hepburn when Roman Holiday was made?
Audrey Hepburn was 24-years old when Roman Holiday was made, as she was born on May 4 1929, and this was the film that made her a household name overnight, as audiences fell in love with the talented young actress who so uniquely embodied innocence and sophistication.
In real life her mother was a Baroness (a Dutch noblewoman!), so no wonder playing a princess was second nature to her!
Gregory Peck later said that observing Audrey Hepburn in her first major role was "like watching a flower suddenly come to bloom" and that she "was born to play this princess."
Who was the Roman Holiday costume designer?
Edith Head designed the clothes and costumes for Roman Holiday.
This was the first time that Edith Head had designed a wardrobe for Audrey Hepburn.
Edith Head struggled to make designs for Audrey Hepburn’s unique body type, which was very different from the other Old Hollywood Glamour stars.
This was because “Hepburn had suffered from malnutrition during the Second World War and had a small bust, thin arms and prominent collarbones but well developed legs (from ballet dancing).”
However Audrey Hepburn has an incredible eye for fashion and helped with design ideas for her outfits in Roman Holiday.
Edith Head wrote, “Audrey knows more about fashion than any actress save Dietrich. Her fittings are of the ten-hour, not the ten-minute variety. She added a few of her preferences to sketches for ‘Roman Holiday’: simpler necklines, wider belts.”
What types of designs did Edith Head develop to complement Audrey Hepburn’s unique shape?
She designed beautiful vintage dresses and skirts in the ‘swing skirt’ style with lots of pleats which concealed her muscular legs, and thus balanced them with her slimmer upper body.
The iconic white blouses she designed typically have the sleeves rolled up or are in a puff fashion, which added bulk to Audrey Hepburn’s stick thin arms.
In addition, Edith Head added tasteful fashion accessories, like statement necklaces and bright scarves to downplay Hepburn’s distinctive collarbones.
The next year, Edith Head would work again with Audrey Hepburn, partnering with Hubert de Givenchy to design her stunning wardrobe for Sabrina 1954, another fashionable and romantic Cinderella story, but fortunately with a happier ending!
To see all of the gorgeous vintage fashion in Sabrina, you’ll love:
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Outfit (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Outfit: Princess Ballgown
Arriving in Italy, Princess Ann attends a formal reception and ball given in her honor.
Audrey Hepburn is wearing a stunning white ball gown, with a fitted off the shoulders bodice that drapes into an elegant v.
It is adorned with beads, sequins, bows, and a royal sash.
Her gorgeous full skirts billow out in full hoop style.
She is also wearing long white opera gloves, glittering statement jewelry, and a matching diamond crown.
During the event, one after another dignitary and high ranking official is introduced, to which Audrey Hepburn nods her head over and over and struggles to act interested amidst the boring pomp and ceremony.
She accidentally slips off her heel, and in great formality one of the dignitaries, helps her secretly put it on.
As the evening passes, she gets more and more restless, and she dances one dance after another with very elderly dignitaries, as she must act extremely proper and formal.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dress (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Pajamas
That evening after the ball, she has a meltdown.
Audrey Hepburn’s character is wearing a long old fashioned white nightgown with small ruffles on the bodice and long puff sleeves.
“I hate this nightgown. I hate all of my nightgowns, and I hate my underwear too!” She complains.
She then asks why she has to wear nightgowns that are a hundred years old and can’t wear pajamas, even just the top part?
She wants to live life and have fun, but instead feels as if she is puppet, who spends every waking moment saying and doing “the right thing” at stuffy political events.
As her assistant starts rattling through the packed agenda for the next day, appointment after appointment, she starts getting hysterical.
The doctor is summoned and gives her a shot to help her sleep.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Outfit (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Skirt Outfit
Alone in her room, she hears music and laughter from the town square below.
With a smile, she sneaks out of the castle, in the back of a delivery vehicle, and watches, in delight, as the happy nights scenes of Italy rush by.
Audrey Hepburn is wearing a long sleeved white button-up blouse, with a bow accent at the neck. This is paired with a circle skirt, and a wide belt which emphasizes her slim waist, and low-heeled black retro heels, and white gloves.
She hops out of her ride in the town square, and promptly starts dozing off on the bench, as the sleeping drug starts to take effect.
A reporter, Joe (Gregory Peck) just leaving his poker game, sees her lying on the bench, and assumes she is drunk, since she can’t talk coherently and can barely stay conscious.
He tries to ask where she lives so she can be taken home in a taxi, and when she mentions the royal guard area, he is certain that she’s toasted, so he reluctantly takes her to his studio to sleep it off.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dress (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Pajamas
Entering his studio, Joe, hands her pajamas to put on for the night.
Joe tells her that he’s going to go out for a cup of coffee and that she’s better get some sleep.
When he returns, she is snoring soundly in his bed.
Once the royal family and team realizes that Princess Ann is missing, given that she is the direct heir to the throne, they are sick with worry, and report to the press that she is suddenly sick, and thus cannot make her appointments.
Meanwhile, they summon their secret agents to Italy to search for the princess.
Joe arrives at work late the next day and is in huge trouble with his boss. He is shocked when he sees Princess Ann’s picture posted on the front page of every newspaper.
He asks his boss how much money he could get for an exclusive, and his boss promises an insane amount of money.
He rushes back to the studio, and excitedly compares the newspaper picture to the girl sleeping.
Audrey Hepburn’s character wakes up and is shocked that she’s in a strange place and someone’s pajamas!
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Outfit (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Skirt Outfit with Sandals
Audrey Hepburn’s character leaves, slowly making her way back to the castle, delighting in the bustling scene of a morning in Italy.
As she walks through a village market, she eagerly eyes the wares for sale.
She spots a pair of adorable pair of vintage sandals, with a flat heel and ankle ties.
She buys them on the spot, and these new sandals replace her low heeled pumps.
Notice the difference her shoe change makes in her overall outfit – with her heels, it looks more formal (more of a dressy business casual vibe), and with simply swapping in the vintage sandals, her outfit instantly becomes casual chic – so perfect for exploring the haunting ruins of Rome!
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dress (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Skirt Outfit with Sandals & New Hair Style
As Princess Ann passes a beauty salon, she spots the new vintage wave styles and walks into the salon.
When she tells her stylist how short to cut her hair, he asks in trepidation, “Are you sure miss?”
She replies primly, “I’m quite sure, thank you.”
He keep confirming, over and over, “All off….? Are you sure…”?
To which she replies, “Yes!”
We absolutely love her retro pixie cut that gently curls around her face. Her incredible bone structure is highlighted with her signature bangs.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Outfit (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Casual Vintage Style Skirt Outfit
Notice a few other subtle changes in her vintage outfit!
Audrey Hepburn’s character is wearing a different button-up blouse with v-neck, which replaces her more formal white blouse with the retro “bow” tie.
This is another slight variation in her iconic casual vintage skirt outfit.
Joe, (Gregory Peck) who’s been following her, pretends to bump into her and says that today is a holiday and they should spend it doing all of the things on her wishlist.
They start by eating at an outside cafe, and while she pretends to have run away from a boarding school, he pretends to be in sales, while his ‘friend’ (a photographer), secretly snaps pictures of the princess with his cigarette lighter.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dress (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Skirt Outfit with Sandals & A Scarf
They spend the day touring the beautiful sites of Italy, while the photographer discreetly snaps pics.
Audrey Hepburn ties a brightly colored scarf around her neck – which adds a delightful touch of class vintage pizzaz to her outfit, and uplevels it instantly.
(Once she adds the scarf, you realize this accessory was exactly what her outfit was missing. We love the fun pop of color against her light neutral outfit)
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Outfit (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Casual Vintage Style Skirt Outfit with Different Bangs
That evening as they are dancing on the boat, she realizes she is falling in love with Joe.
The barber, who had invited her to the dance, takes out his comb, mid dance and adjusts her bangs, combing them both to the side in a curl, and then he resumes dancing.
Secret service agents spot the princess, and try to grab her, and a huge fight breaks out on the dance floor.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Outfit (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Vintage Style Robe
Back at Joe’s studio, Audrey Hepburn’s character changes into a robe, while her clothes dry.
Audrey Hepburn is wearing an oversized full length robe. The paisley patterned robe is cinched in at her waist with matching ties.
Joe tells her how much his clothes suit her, saying that should always wear them.
Sadly she says, “I don’t know how to say goodbye… I can’t think of any words.”
He tells her not to try and they hug, as tears roll down her cheeks. She then leaves to return to the palace.
Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday Dress (Audrey Hepburn 1950s Dresses): Floral Vintage Style Dress
Joe, then tells his boss that there is no story. His boss is furious and tells him to go to the palace for the formal interview.
Joe and his friend (the photographer) arrive at the palace for the interview.
Audrey Hepburn’s character spots them in the crowded audience and is delighted and shocked, as she had never told them she was a princess and now realizes they knew all along.
Audrey Hepburn is wearing a stunning dress with a fitted criss-cross bodice, with puff sleeves and full swing skirt, that is cinched at the waist.
This is paired with low heeled white pumps, a vintage hat, and a pearl necklace and earrings.
We love this formal vintage style outfit.
It is so feminine, with the perfect blend of of dress and class.
They speak in code, assuring her that they won’t spill the real story of where the princess was for last day, and covertly hand her the stack of “incriminating” photos for her Roman Holiday, saying they are for her memories.
She stares longingly at Joe for a long time, her look saying everything she can’t about her dream to live like a commoner with the man she loves. And then she turns and leaves, walking back into the palace
Fun Fact!
Paramount Studios gifted the entire wardrobe from the film (ballgowns, dresses, vintage hats, pumps, and jewelry!) apparently as wedding presents for Audrey Hepburn, as she was engaged to be shortly married. However she ended up calling off the wedding, and the big question is – did she still keep all of the gorgeous vintage outfits?
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All 5 Iconic Audrey Hepburn Wedding Dress Styles - from Her Personal Life and Movies
This post was all about the Audrey Hepburn dresses and fashion in Roman Holiday, and her chic vintage style outfits.
What are your thoughts on the Audrey Hepburn dresses and fashion in Roman Holiday?
Which looks are your favorite – her formal princess ballgowns and dresses, or her casual chic skirt outfits?
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