Jane Birkin Style Inspiration: 21 Iconic Jane Birkin Outfits To Recreate Right Now
After news of the singer and actor's passing, let's look to the style icon's best outfits.
Alongside being a singer, actor, author, mother, and philanthropist, the late Jane Birkin was a style icon.
A pioneer of both the naked dress and wicker basket as handbag, the Brit (who made France her home) was heralded for her off-kilter, Anglo-French style that endlessly played with casual and formal looks.
Birkin entered the fashion history books when Hermès named their Birkin bag after her (after she reportedly spilled the contents of her wicker basket bag all over the CEO of Hermès on a flight), and she since wore her own with typical insouciance, despite the bag being worth more than its weight in gold (literally).
So in honour of the woman who inspired the fashion world's ultimate luxury accessory, here's a look back at some of her most memorable ensembles. And we suggest you copy them right now.
Jane Birkin and John Barry wed in London, 1965
An 18 year-old Birkin married her first and only husband, then 30-year-old John Barry, in a white crochet mini dress for their Chelsea Registry office wedding.
Jane Birkin and George Harrison in Cannes, 1968
Birkin paired her iconic wicker basket bag with prim heels and a tiny, floral mini dress while at Cannes film festival with Beatles member George Harrison.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg attend the 'Slogan' premiere in France, 1969
An early pioneer of the naked dress, Birkin paired her barely-there mini with low-slung pants, a wicker basket bag and Carel Paris Mary-Jane shoes.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourge at the Artists Union's Gala in Paris, 1969
Another great example of Birkin's love of the naked dress, she wore a crochet dress featuring a navel-length slit down the front to a black tie event.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg in Paris, 1969
Not just a summer dresser, Birkin's oversized, military coat and boots were expertly offset with her basket bag.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg on holiday, 1970
A masterclass in wearing trousers in summer, Birkin wore her mid-rise, white trousers with a cropped, lace look top and long necklace.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg in Japan, 1971
Pregnant with Birkin's second child, and the first with Gainsbourg, Birkin wore an adorable floral mini and some knee-high boots.
Jane Birkin, Kate Barry, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Serge Gainsbourg in Saint-Tropez, 1972
The image that sold a thousand jean cut-off shorts, this spontaneous family portrait sees the mother-of-two pair her teeny denim shorts with espadrilles, a white tank top and glowing tan.
Jane Birkin holidays on the Cote d'Azur, 1973
Birkin's holiday wardrobe seemingly comprised of her trusty broderie anglaise tops, slightly flared jeans, and platform heels.
Jane Birkin at home in the UK, 1974
Proving she could do preppy style, Birkin wore a fine knit jumper over a shirt with bootleg jeans and ballet flats.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg at Cannes film festivals, 1974
Further event-dressing inspiration, Birkin channelled the 1920s la garçonne flapper style in a sequinned dress, sheer tights, silver dancing shoes and her basket bag for the red carpet.
Jane Birkin on French TV show 'Taratata', 1974
One for mixing the hyper-casual with totally extra, Birkin wore a bold, gold shirt while on French TV.
Jane Birkin performs in France, 1975
A styling genius, the performance artist paired knee-high red boots with a trench worn as a dress.
Jane Birkin stars in 'Catherine et Cie', 1975
This combination of Burberry trench, rolled up straight-leg jeans and ballet flats feels as fresh now as it would've in 1975.
Jane Birkin performs in Germany, 1977
For a televised performance Birkin looked ever-casual in a cotton-eyelet top, patched up jeans, wicker bag and bare feet.
Jane Birkin in France, 1977
The perfect example of Birkin's love for simple, louche tailoring, the Brit paired some white, tailored trousers with a too-big, white undershirt.
Jane Birkin performs in Paris, 1987
With a newly-chopped haircut the singer plays with masculine tailoring but pulling in an oversized pair of trousers and shirt with a belt.
Jane Birkin on the beach, 1993
A slouchy knit is a staple in Birkin's wardrobe - this time worn with espadrilles on a pebble beach.
Jane Birkin attends the Jean Paul Gaultier Spring/Summer 2005 Fashion Show, 2004
The philanthropist wore her well-worn, heavily-accessorised, and eponymous Hermès Birkin bag to Paris Fashion Week. Birkin is said to have donated her yearly £30,000 fee from Hermès for the use of her name to charity.
Jane Birkin attends the 'Jane Par Charlotte (Jane By Charlotte)' photocall during Cannes Film Festival, 2021
Later in her life, Converse All Star trainers and oversized white shirts became something of a style staple for the actor.
Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
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