Audrey Hepburn left behind far more Halloween material than one little black dress. Across Breakfast at Tiffany's, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face, My Fair Lady and her 1960s caper films she wore ball gowns, beatnik black, Edwardian lace, ski jackets and mod prints. When I style an Audrey costume, I tell people the clothes are only half of it. The hair, the brows and the posture are what make a stranger say her name. Below are thirty looks, from closet-built ones you can pull together tonight to gowns worth hunting for, each with a note on what I'd watch for while putting it together.
A Pixie, a Twist or a Bouffant Without the Scissors
Nearly every look below depends on one of three hairstyles, and none of them needs a real haircut. Get the hair right and a plain black dress becomes Holly; get it wrong and the same dress is just a dress.
The short pixie
A short brunette pixie wig is the single most useful thing you can buy for an Audrey costume, because it covers Roman Holiday, Sabrina, Funny Face and half the 1960s looks. Cheap synthetic wigs come out of the bag too shiny, so I mist them lightly with dry shampoo to knock the gloss down. Trim the bangs only once the wig is on your head, a little at a time. Synthetic fiber doesn't grow back, and her fringe was short and slightly uneven, never a blunt curtain.
The French twist and the bouffant
If your own hair reaches the shoulders, you can do the twist yourself. Tease the crown for height, smooth the top layer back over it, then twist and pin up the back with pins crossed in an X so they lock. A clip-in fringe gives you Holly's bangs without cutting anything. Keep synthetic wigs and clip-ins away from candles and oven doors at parties, since the fiber frizzes or melts with heat.
The brows come before everything
Her brows were thick, dark and fairly straight with a short arch. I fill them with pencil in light strokes along the bottom edge, then brush a tinted gel through so they hold their shape all night. Do the brows before the liner: once they're in place, you can see how bold the wing should be.
1. Breakfast At Tiffany’s Black Dress Costume
The opening-scene look is the one everyone expects, so the details have to be right. Start with a sleeveless, floor-length black sheath with a clean neckline, then add long black gloves, several strands of faux pearls, oversized dark sunglasses and a small tiara. I anchor the tiara with two bobby pins crossed under each side, because a tiara on a slippery updo slides forward the moment you look down. Put your hair, or a dark brown wig, in a high French twist with short side-swept bangs. Defined brows, a soft beige lid, winged liner and a peachy-pink lip finish the face, and black kitten heels keep you upright all night. Skip the cigarette holder; a pastry bag and a takeaway coffee cup tell the same story and are fine around kids.
2. Breakfast At Tiffany’s White Shirt Costume
Holly's oversized white shirt is the comfortable option for a long night. Wear a crisp men's button-down that falls to mid-thigh over fitted white shorts, with fluffy pale slippers or white ballet flats. The sleep mask is the whole costume, so give it attention: a turquoise mask with gold trim or fringe, worn pushed up on the forehead so people see it and you can still see them. Pin your hair loosely with soft bangs, and keep the face a little undone with fresh skin, dark lashes and muted pink lipstick. I'd buy the shirt a size or two up from your usual. A fitted one just looks like you forgot your trousers. An old alarm clock or a striped pillow makes a funny prop.
3. Breakfast At Tiffany’s Pink Dress Costume
Hot pink is the less expected Holly, and it shows up well in a dark room. Choose a sleeveless knee-length dress with a straight or gently fitted line and layer a matching pink coat over it, ideally one with a wide collar. Add a tiara, oversized earrings, a small structured bag and pink or neutral kitten heels. Matching two pinks is harder than it sounds, since blue-toned and orange-toned pinks fight each other, so I hold the coat and dress together in daylight before buying either. A high bouffant with short bangs, defined liner, full lashes and pink lipstick to match. A toy telephone or small vanity mirror is an easy prop to carry.
4. Breakfast At Tiffany’s Wide Hat Costume
Here the hat does the work. Wear a sleeveless black midi with a fitted waist and straight skirt, then a very wide-brim black hat with a cream or ivory ribbon. Oversized sunglasses, pearl studs, long gloves and a structured handbag push it firmly into the early 1960s. Wide brims catch every breeze and every doorframe, so I stitch a thin elastic loop inside the crown that hooks under a low bun at the back. It holds the hat on without a chin strap showing. Pick pointed pumps or flats depending on how long you'll stand, and keep the makeup to sculpted brows, a wing and a rose lip. A small jewelry box makes a quiet prop, and the hat gives you a fresher take than tiara and pearls.
5. Breakfast At Tiffany’s Casual Jeans Costume
This is the Audrey for anyone who wants to wear clothes they already own. Slim blue jeans, a plain gray crewneck sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up, black or white ballet flats and small studs. On its own that's a Saturday outfit, so the hair has to carry it: a loose dark updo or a short curled wig with face-framing bangs. Brushed brows, light liner, peach blush and soft pink lips. A small acoustic guitar prop or a notebook nods to her quieter apartment scenes. It passes most school and office dress rules, which is why I suggest it to anyone with a strict workplace.
6. Breakfast At Tiffany’s Orange Coat Costume
A vivid orange coat brings color into Holly's city wardrobe. Pick a knee-length, slightly oversized orange or coral coat over a neutral shift, and add a rounded faux-fur hat in a warm matching shade, big dark sunglasses, button earrings and a structured bag. Black tights and low black pumps make it practical on a cold October night. Faux-fur hats perch awkwardly on a tall bouffant, so I tease the crown a little flatter than usual and slide the hat on from the back. Strong brows, a black wing, rosy blush and coral lipstick suit the coat. A folded city map or a vintage envelope is all the prop it needs.
7. Roman Holiday Princess Gown Costume
Princess Ann's formal look calls for a white or ivory ball gown with a fitted bodice, short sleeves, a defined waist and a full floor-length skirt. Add elbow-length white gloves, a statement necklace, a delicate tiara and low metallic heels. Thrifted bridesmaid and prom dresses are where I look first, because the bodice is usually structured already and only the hem needs taking up. A polished high bun or a neat brunette updo wig, soft brown shadow, pink blush and rose lipstick keep her regal without going heavy. A small fan or a satin evening bag is enough to carry. Wear a slip under the full skirt so it doesn't cling to your tights.
8. Roman Holiday White Blouse Costume
Princess Ann's sightseeing outfit is one of the easiest Audrey costumes to wear all day. Tuck a short-sleeve white blouse into a full calf-length circle skirt in beige, tan or muted gray, roll the sleeves and knot a narrow patterned scarf at the neck. A wide brown belt, white ankle socks and flat lace-up sandals finish it. The short pixie is the real giveaway here, since Ann has her hair cut short in Rome, so a short brunette pixie wig is worth buying even if everything else comes from your closet. Keep the face fresh with natural brows and pink cheeks. A small vintage camera, a gelato cup or a folded map suggests the day out, and the whole outfit suits school, office and family settings.
9. Roman Holiday Royal Pajama Costume
This is a softer Princess Ann, built around modest sleepwear. Choose a loose, ankle-length white or cream pajama set with long sleeves, piping and wide legs, a lightweight satin robe and embroidered slippers or pale flats. Satin robes slip open every time you move, so I sew a hidden snap at the waist rather than trusting the belt. Hair goes in a relaxed braided crown or a tousled updo, as if she's just escaped her schedule. The makeup is young and clean: brushed brows, curled lashes and lip balm. A small crown set slightly crooked adds the humor, and a pillow or a rolled newspaper is an easy prop.
10. Sabrina Pinafore Dress Costume
This is Sabrina before Paris, and it's mostly thrift-store pieces. Wear a dark knee-length pinafore over a short-sleeve white blouse with a pointed collar, then white ankle socks, plain loafers and a narrow headband or ribbon. A tidy ponytail with short bangs, or a smooth shoulder-length wig, keeps her young, as do natural brows and soft pink lipstick. On its own a pinafore can read as a schoolgirl, so I always give her a prop. A gardening basket or a stack of cookbooks points to the chauffeur's daughter who goes off to cooking school. It's a good pick if you want Audrey without pearls or black evening wear.
11. Sabrina Black Cocktail Dress Costume
Sabrina's Paris black dress is all about the neckline. Look for a sleeveless black dress with a fitted bodice, a bateau neckline and a full tea-length skirt, then add short black gloves, sparkling earrings, a slim bracelet and pointed black kitten heels. A bateau neck runs almost straight across from shoulder to shoulder, and on a modern dress it often gapes at the back; a small tuck at each shoulder seam or a strip of fashion tape fixes that. Choose a softly curled pixie or a sleek cropped wig that leaves the neck clear. Arched brows, a fine wing and a deep pink lip suit it. Sit and turn in the dress before you commit, because the skirt needs room for dancing.
12. Sabrina White Floral Ball Gown Costume
Sabrina's return from Paris calls for a white gown with black floral embroidery, a fitted bodice and a full floor-length skirt, strapless or sleeveless. If the event needs more coverage, add a fitted white shrug or a sheer wrap. Long white gloves, drop earrings, a small evening bag and black or silver low heels follow. Real embroidery is costly to find, and black fabric paint on a plain white gown is a fair stand-in if you test it inside the hem first and let it cure fully before you wear it. A short brunette pixie wig, precise brows, black liner and a red-rose lip finish her. Carry a single white flower or a dance card for the entrance.
13. Sabrina Capri Pants Costume
The capri look is comfortable enough for handing out candy at the door. Wear a black boatneck top or slim turtleneck, high-waisted black capri pants, ballet flats, small pearl earrings and a narrow belt at the waist. Without the hair it's just black clothes, so a cropped brunette wig with soft bangs does most of the work. Thick shaped brows, fine liner and a muted coral lip suit it. A French phrase book or a small market basket points to Paris. I check capris sitting down before buying them: the right length hits just above the ankle bone, and many modern cropped pants ride up to mid-calf the moment you sit.
14. Funny Face Beatnik Costume
Jo Stockton's dance-cellar outfit is the cheapest costume on this list and one of the quickest to place. A fitted black turtleneck, ankle-length black cigarette pants and soft black loafers, with white socks if you want the contrast from her dance. Pull your hair into a high ponytail with short bangs, or use a cropped wig shaped close to the head. Bold brows, fine black liner and a neutral pink lip are all the face needs. People recognize Jo by the movement more than the clothes, so practice a couple of her sharp, angular poses before the photos. A paperback philosophy book suits a bookshop girl.
15. Funny Face Red Gown Costume
The red gown is pure drama and needs very little else. Find a strapless or off-the-shoulder dress with a fitted bodice and a full floor-length skirt, plus matching red opera gloves, drop earrings and pointed red or neutral heels. Keep the shoulders clear with a sleek high bun. You can go more glamorous here, with a wing, defined lashes, luminous skin and a rich red lip. Match the lipstick to the dress in daylight, since a cool red mouth beside an orange-red gown looks off. A long chiffon stole held up behind you as you walk nods to her run down the museum staircase. Leave the jewelry there, because more only competes with the color.
16. Funny Face Wedding Dress Costume
For the bridal look, choose a fitted sleeveless tea-length white dress with a bateau neckline, a dropped waist and a full skirt that ends above the ankles. Add elbow-length white gloves, white low heels and a short veil. Pin the veil to a small cap or a narrow headband, never straight into a wig; a veil anchored in wig fiber pulls the whole wig loose each time you turn your head. A neat pixie or sleek cropped wig, strong brows and a soft pink lip keep it delicate. A small bouquet of white faux flowers tied with ribbon is the only prop. The shorter hem moves far more easily than a full bridal gown, and a secondhand bridesmaid dress often fits the brief.
17. Funny Face Yellow Coat Costume
A yellow coat over black basics gives a graphic, cheerful outline. Start with a slim black top and cropped black pants, then layer a knee-length mustard or lemon coat, with black ballet flats, short gloves and a small structured bag. A pixie wig or smooth ponytail ties it to Jo's model transformation. Mustard and lemon suit different skin: if bright yellow near your face makes you look tired, take the deeper mustard and keep a black scarf at the neck. Crisp brows, a wing and rosy lips are enough. Faux balloons or a fashion sketchbook give you something to hold in photos, and the coat keeps you warm at outdoor October events.
18. Funny Face White Blouse And Black Skirt Costume
This monochrome outfit is my usual answer for classrooms and offices. A fitted white blouse tucked into a full black midi skirt, a narrow black belt, white ankle socks and black flats or low pumps. Wear a short pixie, a smooth ponytail or a tidy bun with short bangs, and bold brushed brows with a small liner flick. Every piece is ordinary, which is exactly why the hair, brows and socks have to be deliberate; skip them and it reads as a catering uniform. A petticoat under the skirt gives the 1950s fullness. A fashion magazine or a camera points to Jo Stockton.
19. My Fair Lady Flower Girl Costume
Eliza's flower-market look is layered and warm, which makes it one of the better cold-weather picks. Start with a striped or faded blouse and a dark ankle-length skirt, then add a worn-looking apron, a cropped jacket and a big shawl in brown, gray or burgundy. Thick tights and lace-up ankle boots handle a long walk. A slightly messy updo goes under a floppy straw hat with faux flowers. Keep it theatrical rather than dirty: I dull new fabric with a strong cold tea soak and a rinse, which takes the brightness off without real grime. Rosy cheeks and a natural lip suit her. A light basket of fabric violets is the last piece.
20. My Fair Lady Ascot Costume
The black-and-white Ascot ensemble is the one I'd bring to a costume contest. Wear a long white lace dress with a high neckline, a fitted waist and black ribbon trim, then a huge wide-brim hat with striped bows, feathers or fabric loops. White gloves, a black-and-white parasol, pearl earrings and low pumps follow, with a smooth Edwardian updo under the hat. An oversized hat is mostly a weight problem. I build the trim on a light buckram or straw base and keep feathers short, because a heavy brim tips forward within an hour. Gray-brown shadow, precise liner and a rose lip keep the face controlled. Keep the parasol closed indoors.
21. My Fair Lady Embassy Ball Costume
For full formal glamour, there's Eliza's embassy-ball gown. Look for a floor-length white, silver or icy blue dress with a fitted bodice, delicate sleeves and crystal-like beading, then add long white gloves, a necklace, drop earrings and silver low heels. A jeweled ornament or small tiara sits above a structured brunette updo. Luminous foundation, strong brows, soft gray shadow and a cool pink lip suit the pale palette. Beaded gowns are heavier than they look and the beads snag on everything, so check the shoulder seams before buying and carry a few safety pins. Lift the skirt a little on stairs. A tiny beaded bag or a fan is plenty to carry.
22. My Fair Lady Pink Dress Costume
The dusty-pink walking dress is an Eliza that few people copy. You want a long dusty-pink dress or skirt suit with a fitted waist, a high neckline and decorative buttons, plus a wide-brim hat with ribbon and modest flowers, wrist-length gloves, a small structured bag and cream or pink low-heeled boots. A neat Edwardian roll sits under the hat. A two-piece is far easier to find than a long dress. I look for a long A-line skirt and a fitted jacket separately, then sew a row of small buttons down the jacket front if it's too plain. Defined brows and a deeper rose lip finish her, and it moves more freely than a ball gown for daytime events.
23. Charade Ski Outfit Costume
Regina's ski look from Charade moves Audrey into cold weather. Fitted black pants, a cream turtleneck and a bright red, yellow or orange ski jacket, with black winter boots, gloves and big sunglasses. Tie a printed scarf over your head and knot it under the chin, letting a short fringe show. Wind-flushed blush and a coral lip suit it. Ski goggles or blunt decorative poles make good props. This one overheats indoors fast, so for a house party I swap a padded jacket for a thin quilted one. Outdoors, it's the warmest costume here.
24. Charade Red Coat Costume
A red coat turns plain black basics into a mystery-film costume. Layer a fitted knee-length red coat over a black turtleneck with slim black pants or a straight black dress, then add black gloves, tall boots, dark sunglasses and a structured bag. A printed headscarf ties under the chin over a smooth updo. Silk scarves slide straight off a smooth updo, so I pin the back corner of the scarf into the bun with one hairpin. Thick brows, a wing and peach-pink lipstick finish it. A travel envelope or a train-ticket prop adds intrigue, and the coat keeps you comfortable at outdoor events.
25. Charade Black Cocktail Dress Costume
The Charade cocktail dress is Holly's more grown-up sister. Choose a sleeveless knee-length dress with a bateau neckline or a softly draped bodice, then short black gloves, sparkling studs, sheer black tights and pointed kitten heels. Wear your hair in a tall, smooth updo with side-swept bangs. Dramatic brows, precise black liner, lashes and a muted rose lip carry the mood. A compact handbag and a faux hotel key card are understated props. Sheer black tights ladder easily, so I tuck a spare pair in the bag. A lightweight wrap helps outdoors without hiding the shape, and you get classic glamour without a tiara or pearls.
26. How To Steal A Million Black Lace Costume
Nicole's black lace look from How to Steal a Million is built for evening. Wear a fitted black lace dress, or a long-sleeve lace top with a knee-length black skirt, plus opaque tights, low boots and a small bag. The lace eye mask is the clue. Tie it on with ribbon instead of the elastic it comes with, which digs into a wig, and push it up when you walk because a mask narrows your view. A neat bouffant with curled ends, bold brows and pale pink lipstick suit it. Carry a museum brochure or a miniature frame instead of burglary tools. Thrifted lace separates work as well as a dress.
27. How To Steal A Million White Mod Costume
The white mod shift is a bright break from all the black. Pick a sleeveless white mini or above-the-knee shift with a structured neckline, white opaque tights or nude stockings, low white pumps, big sunglasses and a geometric bag. A rounded bouffant bob, thick brows, graphic liner and pale pink lips give you the 1960s face. White shows every makeup smudge, so I dress last and hold a scarf over the neckline while touching up. If a short hem isn't comfortable, a knee-length shift with the same straight line works. A folded museum guide or an empty frame is enough of a clue.
28. Paris When It Sizzles Gingham Costume
Gingham is the choice for warm climates and daytime parties. Find a pink, red or blue check with a fitted bodice, a defined waist and a full knee-length skirt, then add a narrow belt, simple earrings and low white or neutral pumps. Tie a silk-style scarf around a high ponytail or wear it as a headband. Defined brows, black liner and bright pink lipstick suit the print. Check the scale of the check before you buy: a small gingham looks like 1960s Paris, while a large one reads as a picnic tablecloth. A typed script, a pencil behind the ear or a little typewriter prop points to the screenwriting plot.
29. Two For The Road Mod Dress Costume
Audrey's late-1960s wardrobe went bold, and this costume follows it. Choose an A-line mini with color blocks, circles or stripes in orange, yellow, pink, white and black, plus opaque tights, low block heels, oversized white sunglasses and a modern-shaped bag. A short pixie wig or smooth cropped hair keeps it sharp. Full brows, graphic liner, defined lower lashes and coral-pink lips make the face. Lower-lash liner smudges as the room warms up, so I set it by pressing a little dark eyeshadow over the top. A road map or a small travel case supports the journey theme, and knee-length versions of the same print give more coverage.
30. Love In The Afternoon Floral Dress Costume
A small floral day dress ends the list, after Ariane in Love in the Afternoon. Look for a fitted midi with a small print, a modest neckline, short sleeves and a gently flared skirt, plus a narrow belt, pearl studs, neutral kitten heels and a top-handle bag. A short pixie or a tidy curled bob with wispy bangs suits her, with delicate liner and a rose lip. Ariane studies the cello, so a music notebook or a few sheets of music make the right prop. A cropped cardigan keeps you warm without hiding the waist, and you'll wear the dress again long after Halloween.
Fitting a 1950s Waist Into a Modern Dress
Most dresses on a thrift rack sit lower and looser at the waist than anything Audrey wore, which is the main reason a costume can look slightly off without anyone knowing why. These are the fixes I do for nearly every gown and cocktail dress on this list.
- Belt the dress at your natural waist, the narrowest point above the navel, before deciding whether it needs taking in. A narrow belt often does the whole job.
- If the bodice is still loose, pin the side seams while wearing it and take them in by hand. A one-night costume doesn't need machine finishing.
- Add a net petticoat under any full skirt. It gives the 1950s shape and keeps the skirt from clinging to tights.
- Shorten a hem with iron-on hemming tape if you won't keep the dress. It holds for an evening and peels off later.
- Satin opera gloves slide down the arm, so sew a small loop of clear elastic inside the top edge to hold them in place.
Hold off on the pearls and the tiara until the dress fits. Accessories can't rescue a shape that's wrong, but a well-fitted plain dress with gloves and the right hair will carry almost any of these thirty looks.
The Audrey Looks I'd Reach For First
Which one I'd pick depends on the night. For a cold outdoor party, the Charade coats or Eliza's flower-girl layers; for dancing, the beatnik black; for a contest, the Ascot hat. The black dress with pearls is still the one strangers name fastest. Whatever you choose, spend on the wig and the gloves before the dress, and give the brows real time. A thrifted or closet-built outfit with the right hair reads as Audrey. An expensive dress worn with your everyday hair usually doesn't.
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