How to Dress Like Jane Birkin

Decades after her debut, Jane Birkin was still one of the most acclaimed muses in fashion. Her unique style, which marked an era, remains a great inspiration for many modern designers and models. Disguised in nonchalance, her aesthetic managed to combine Paris' elegant and chic je ne sais quoi with the casualness of London. Sexy, laid back, elegant, and rugged all at the same time, Birkin had always managed to amaze the public with her formidable fashion. Everyone remembers the custom Paco Rabanne mini-dress that she wore for a night out with her husband Serge Gainsbourg, or the iconic Hermès bag that now bares her name. On July 16, the iconic fashion It girl Birkin passed away. In remembrance of her contribution to fashion and to try to copy her look, L'OFFICIEL looks back at Birkin's five wardrobe essentials (and one beauty trend) that embody Birkin's effortless street style.

During the day, reach for a pair of high-waisted flared jeans paired with a white T-shirt or casual top and comfortable ankle boots. Birkin also loved wearing white denim, which can be a timeless, chic, and elegant color all year round.

Knitted dresses are essential to channeling your inner Birkin, and the shorter the better. Who could forget the sheer dress she wore to the premiere of the French film Slogan with her wicker basket and ballerina shoes? In the summer, accessorize with a pair of strappy heels and a small purse. For winter, go with knee-high boots and an oversized blazer.

Like her dresses, Birkin preferred her shorts to be short. Try the look by showing off your legs with a pair of denim cutoffs for casual events. To elevate the trend, choose a more tailored pair of bottoms, styled with an upscale blouse. The star would even layer short shorts over tights to take the style into winter.

A classic piece that's as timeless as Jane Birkin herself, the white button-down was a staple in the fashion icon's wardrobe. Take a note from her and wear it under a vest or sweater or go for a summery all-white look. 

Before she had one of the most bags named after her, Birkin's go-to handbag was a woven basket bag. If you want to emulate that effortless French countryside style, this is the one essential you simply must have.

Jane Birkin's '70s bangs were her signature beauty look. The tousled look gave her that effortless, "I woke up like this" style that everyone still wants to emulate today.