On July 16, 2023, at the age of 76, the world lost Jane Birkin - a legend of the 20th century who continues to inspire with her unique style and elegance. She left behind a massive creative legacy, with over 80 films and 20 music albums to her name. The actress and singer became famous for her contribution to the history of both cinema and music. Her collaboration with French actor and singer Serge Gainsbourg, both professionally and personally, holds a special place in her biography. However, she was not overshadowed by the genius that Gainsbourg undeniably was. Birkin was an independent creative figure who set new standards of style for the world.
Although Birkin was British, she spent most of her life in Paris and showed the world what it means to have French girl style. Effortless chic and natural sexiness - Jane adorned even the simplest outfits with her innate charm and unforgettable beauty. Perhaps Jane Birkin herself did not realize the extent of her influence on the fashion world. She wore a simple combination of a white t-shirt and jeans with the same grace as a dress from a prestigious designer. The same was true for her ability to wear blouses, with or without ruffles, which were characteristic of the 70s fashion trends. Birkin always managed to enhance her status as a style icon.
Another embodiment of 70s fashion was flare pants, and Jane was no exception among the fashionistas who tried this wardrobe staple. Birkin rarely wore prints, as she preferred simple looks in concise shades. However, a flowery black blouse fit perfectly into her image of a casual French fashionista. One of the fashion revolutions brought about by Jane was her way of wearing boots over jeans and adding knee-high socks to her outfits. And, of course, the woven basket bag, which became her signature accessory, transforming from a vacation item into a standalone fashion statement.
Jane showed the world what it means to have French girl style. She was one of the first to introduce the popular "quiet luxury" look - pastel shades, elegant cuts, and a lack of extravagance. Another trend that she managed to embody was matching outfits. She and Gainsbourg demonstrated this by wearing dark blue ensembles. But Jane didn't always opt for modest outfits. With her long and slender legs, she was one of the first to popularize short knit dresses with a low waistband and denim shorts.
In the 70s, beachwear was just beginning to include open swimsuits, so solid or high-waisted separates predominated at the time. Jane Birkin wore a bikini with a plunging neckline and an exposed midriff, a style we are familiar with today. She also popularized slip dresses, which are trendy now. Jane demonstrated this silky dress in a powdery shade. Although prints were not frequently seen in Jane's outfits, she was one of the first to show how to wear polka dot dresses. Birkin paired a white dress with black dots with a knit sweater. The iconic "Pied-de-Poule" pattern adorned one of Jane's skirts, complemented by loose hair and a blue blouse.
It is known that Jean-Louis Dumas, the designer of the fashion house Hermes, named the iconic Birkin bag after Jane. Although the actress admitted that this model now costs more than she can afford, she did have one Hermes bag in her wardrobe. By the way, she showed us that high heels and a tight fit mean nothing if you have a bag worth over 25 thousand dollars in your outfit. Jane also looked stunning in daring outfits. Her trademark was naturalness in everything, from her looks to her behavior, but she also managed to shine in deliberately sexy outfits.
