One of Audrey Hepburn’s most iconic outfits is a casual look that she wore in the movie Funny Face. It combines sleek black cigarette pants with a black turtleneck and chunky loafers. A very plain column of black with lots of coverage. I’m not a fan of head-to-toe black outfits (unless there is see-through black lace incorporated into the look), but Audrey somehow makes it look spectacular. The white socks are an unexpected and playful touch.

The outfit below reminds me of Audrey’s iconic look, with a few important differences. The gold hardware detailing on the belt, bangle and shoe buckles breaks up the column of black, which to my eye makes all the difference. It takes the outfit from drab to fab, when the coat and bag are removed for indoor settings. The outfit looks wonderful — and far less black — with the toffee coat and taupe bag, but that’s only true when you’re outside. This makes the subtle addition of the gold all the more important.

It’s a versatile modern classic outfit that’s easy to replicate, and comfortable too. Feel free to adjust the neckline of the top to suit your needs, and by all means wear cropped black jeans or cropped flares instead of black cigarette pants. Black oxfords will work instead of loafers, and so will a navy coat instead of a toffee topper.

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• Olivia Palermo becomes Banana Republic’s first women’s global style ambassador.
• Here’s a peek at Zara’s first official “Join Life” sustainable collection.
• Nike’s self-lacing sneaker will be available at select Nike store locations on November 28.
• The Cambridge Satchel Company has launched a vegan-friendly, recyclable version of its signature crossbody bag.
• In a new book Grace Coddington looks back at her Vogue years.
• Milan-based company Bonaveri has created the world’s first ‘eco-mannequins’, made from natural and biodegradable materials.
• New fashion movie The Ripper will take a closer look at the relationship between designer Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow.
• Mosevic Eyewear is making sunglasses out of reclaimed denim fabric.
• Mario Testino is launching ‘Mira Mira’, a new platform for unpublished photographs, travel diaries and podcast interviews.
• London’s Fashion and Textile Museum is showcasing a Twenties-themed Jazz Age exhibition.

Fun Fashion Fact

It is said that Eddie Bauer invented the first puffer jacket, encasing down feathers within quilted fabric,  in 1936 after developing hypothermia on a Winter fishing trip in Washington. In 1940, he “patented the first quilted goose down-insulated jacket in the United States, and introduced it in his store as ‘The Skyliner’.”

This ensemble was inspired by an outfit from the Elizabeth and James 2016 Fall Ready-to-Wear collection. Faux fur and maximal looks are trending, so bring on the hectic toppers. An animal print coat or jacket is one way to go. 

Leopard or cheetah toppers have a high longevity factor. They always make a fun and bold statement, looking as modern as they do retro. Leopard looks especially good if you like to wear browns and earth tones. Cat prints like leopard and cheetah are also a dream to pattern mix with (they’re almost like a neutral), which is why I chose a checked Burberry bag to go with all the outfits. I also didn’t think twice about adding stripes and florals to the mix because sometimes the clash can be harmonious.

Here are three dressy and casual looks to get you started. I’ve kept the palette neutral and added a classic red. There’s also texture and shine in the support act for a more maximal effect. 

Trendy Earthy Neutrals

Combine rust flared crops with a cream top. Add trendy gold or cream footwear in a style that works with the silhouette and length of the bottoms. White pearls pick up the cream in the outfit, while the leopard topper adds plenty of drama. I’ve added a patterned bag, but feel free to use a solid one instead. 

The Roaring Frock

Throw a leopard topper over a solid black, red, cream or brown dress. Add red, black or metallic footwear, like on trend Mary Janes, and a patterned or solid bag. A scarf in a complementary pattern can work, and so will nude or sheer black hosiery. In fact, add patterned self-colour sheer black hosiery if you dare. 

Stripes & Sneakers 

Combine a red and blue/grey/black striped tee or pullover with a pair of trendy blue jeans. Wear Converse, oxfords or booties on your feet. Finish off the look with the leopard topper and a patterned or solid bag. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

I don’t have a leopard coat, but I do have clients who wear them every season. We have fun styling them in updated ways because as I said up top, a leopard topper does not seem to date.

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After surveying 2,000 US women, a recent study by UK lingerie brand Rigby & Peller showed that 67% of American women wear the same bra every day, and 30% of women own a bra that is 10 years old.

Bra company ThirdLove has created the Breast Shape Dictionary, which helps you shop their site based on breast shape instead of just cup size.

InStyle editor Jennifer Davis selected and tested the best sport bras for a larger bust.

Fab Links from Our Members

Greenjeans lets us know that this Smithsonian piece on How Tuberculosis Shaped Victorian Fashion is a fascinating read.

Annagybe was amused by these works of micro-fiction, based on the Madewell Fall lookbook.

Angie thought that Sally’s post on style advice for the lost is well worth a read, and her guest post on textile recycling is extremely informative.

Isabel loves Stella Tennant and found it interesting that at 45 she is giving up hair dye. Isabel says: “I love it that these high-profile women who make their living in ‘beauty’ are rejecting the old notion of youthful attributes as the only notion of beauty.”

Isabel was also very impressed with LouLou Van Damme, who was also featured on That’s Not My Age.

Joy would like to know if you agree with Christine Smallwood’s thoughts about looking effortless beginning with hair, as described in her article “Effortles Hair? It’s Complicated“.

Kari enjoyed this blog post about white-on-white, intricate, Ukrainian embroidery from her favourite perfume blogger, Bois de Jasmin. Here’s the part that Kari found the most intriguing:

“Merezhka exists all over Ukraine, but its Poltava variant is marked by the use of rich floral patterns and white color. To create it, a master removes threads one by one, and then embroiders tiny stitches on the remaining fabric to create a pattern. The finished work looks like lace, and it’s done entirely by hand. The serrated edges on the collar and cuffs are also handmade. The ‘white on white’ technique doesn’t allow for any mistakes, and an error in counting even a single thread leaves the whole pattern crooked. Moreover, no knots are allowed in the finished work, and the reverse should look as neat as the face side. To give a design luminosity and form, threads of different weights and finishes are used, while the stitches are angled to let light catch the minute details.”