When everyone across the pop-culture corners of the internet talks about Carolyn Bessette and her short but mesmerizing effect on the fashion world, I sometimes feel a little pride in my blogging journey. I actually wrote about Carolyn Bessette’s style nearly two years ago, long before the current wave of people dressing like her and rediscovering her quiet luxury aesthetic.
I have always been fascinated by the nuance of style icons, the women whose wardrobes continue to inspire generations. And as someone who loves fashion storytelling, I always want to bring you the next thing before everyone else starts talking about it.
But this time, I realized something. Maybe the next thing isn’t always new.
Maybe it is rediscovering the forgotten beauty of something timeless that has been in front of us all along.
That thought made me wonder: who should I write about next? And suddenly the idea came to me: this should become a series.
“Style Icons of Our Lives”
Because every fashion lover has those figures who shape how we see style.
“Style Icons of Our Lives.”
1. Carrie Bradshaw – The Whimsical Fashion Rule Breaker
Carrie Bradshaw’s style is chaotic, whimsical, and unexpected —just like her personality.
Her fashion never followed rules. She mixed vintage, designer, outrageous heels, and unexpected combinations with the confidence of a true fashionista. Her outfits were always there to be seen and tell a story about her daily life.
Even though she was a TV character, I could not help adding her to my list of icons. In many ways, she represents the joy and creativity of fashion.
2. Carolyn Bessette Style DNA – The Queen of Quiet Luxury or Quiet Avant-Garde
If Carrie Bradshaw was loud and experimental, Carolyn Bessette was her complete opposite.
Her style was simple, minimal, and deeply elegant.
What Gen Z now calls “quiet luxury” was something Carolyn Bessette embodied naturally in the 1990s.
Clean silhouettes. Neutral tones. Perfect tailoring.
She made simplicity look powerful.
But there was a hidden avant-garde in her style that some of us misunderstood as quiet luxury. (The reason perhaps comes from her earlier style choices and the fact that she worked for Calvin Klein.) Guilty as charged — I was one of those people.Until I realized how deeply she was invested in designers like Yohji Yamamoto and Ann Demeulemeester.
The more I look into her style, the more I admire how she could be classic in such a loud, intellectual way.
3. The Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn
Now it is time to talk about one of the true icons of timeless elegance: Audrey Hepburn.
Audrey Hepburn was not only a fashion icon on screen but also in real life. Her grace, charm, and understated wardrobe made her one of the most admired women in style history.
I still remember being completely mesmerized watching her in My Fair Lady. Her transformation as Eliza Doolittle — and that unforgettable accent — left me in absolute awe.
And of course, how could we forget Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
That iconic black Givenchy dress may very well be one of the most famous dresses in fashion history.
In many ways, Holly Golightly felt like the original Carrie Bradshaw of her era.
Fun fact: I actually dressed up as Audrey Hepburn for Halloween back in 2014. To this day, it remains my favorite costume I’ve ever done.
So with all these thoughts swirling in my mind, I realized something simple:
It is time to talk about Audrey Hepburn’s style again because her elegance never truly goes out of fashion.
4. Marilyn Monroe – The Misunderstood Feminine Power
Marilyn Monroe is always remembered for her feminine, sensual image. But if you have ever watched her films closely, you realize she was incredibly intelligent, strategic, and ahead of her time.
She was one of the original girl bosses, even founding her own production company in the 1950s, which was almost unheard of for a woman in Hollywood.
What fascinates me most is that her off-duty style was surprisingly simple.
Very much like Audrey Hepburn, she leaned toward: clean silhouettes, soft knits, minimal styling.
She did not just want glamour, she wanted a simple, meaningful life, and you can actually see that in her personal style.
5. Grace Kelly – The Definition of Classic Elegance
Grace Kelly is, without question, one of the most classically beautiful women in fashion history.
Her wedding dress alone is still considered one of the most iconic bridal looks of all time and my personal all time favourite celebrity dress ever.
Everything about her style was:
- polished
- refined
- graceful
She is the embodiment of what we now call timeless elegance.
6. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis – The First Lady of Style
When I bought my wedding dress back in 2013 from Oleg Cassini, I naturally became more curious about Jacqueline Kennedy’s style. Cassini, as we know, was her close collaborator and designer.
That relationship alone helped define Jackie as one of the most iconic women in fashion history.
Her structured suits, oversized sunglasses, and pillbox hats created a signature look that still inspires modern fashion today.
7. Jane Birkin Style – The Ultimate French Girl
Although she was British, her presence in French cinema made her feel entirely Parisian.
She was part of that young, free artistic world of the 1960s. How can I ever get over: her round, see-through sunglasses, her iconic basket bag? She made simplicity feel poetic.
She is truly one of the most timeless style icons of the 20th century.
8. Brigitte Bardot – The Effortless French Bombshell
Like Jane Birkin, Brigitte Bardot defined the idea of French girl style, but in a more sensual, undone way.
She made: messy hair look iconic, off-shoulder tops feel timeless with her fierce flair and femininity feel effortless rather than polished with her goddess-like posture.
Her style was never “perfect,” and that is exactly why it worked.
9. Edie Sedgwick – The Face of the 60s Youthquake
The first IT girl, aka “Factory Girl” ( Edie Sedgwick), absolutely represented the young, restless cultural shift.
She brought bold makeup, bold lashes, and youthful energy to mainstream fashion. We can call her OG IT, socialite turned model, whatever you call her, her effect on the fashion and culture scene is undeniable.
She changed beauty standards and made fashion connected with the art scene more than ever!
10. Coco Chanel – The Ultimate Fashion Power
Love her or not, she is one of the most powerful figures in fashion history especially male dominated world she was a force to be reckoned with.
She revolutionized how women dress. Her tweed suits, pearls, and effortless tailoring made fashion both comfortable and luxurious.
She proved that simplicity can still be incredibly bold.
11. Diane Keaton – The Original Androgynous Muse
I have such a special place in my heart for Diane Keaton. Something’s Gotta Give is one of my favorite movies of all time. With this movie, I was captivated by her to check more of her movies, and I truly became a fan of hers. Especially her unique sense of style.
Her style is unique, slightly masculine at first glance, but always softened with thoughtful details.
She tells a story through her clothes, which is something I deeply admire.
12. Princess Diana – The Evolution of Style and Power
Princess Diana is truly one of the most iconic women in fashion history.
Her style evolution is what makes her unforgettable:
- from shy royal beginnings
- to powerful, confident global figure
Her 90s looks still feel incredibly relevant today. But beyond fashion, her true power was her ability to connect with people. She made royalty feel human.
13. Diane von Furstenberg – The Wrap Dress Pioneer
I became deeply interested in DVF last summer due to a job opportunity that came through a headhunter.
For a few months, I completely immersed myself in her world. She is another true female powerhouse — bold, fearless, and independent. Her wrap dress alone changed how women dress and feel about their bodies.
What happened to the job opportunity?
Unfortunately, it did not unfold the way I had hoped. My headhunter had built it up with so much excitement, but without fully understanding the scope of the role.
Of course, it was disappointing—especially after investing so much time imagining myself in that world.
But if there is one thing I know about myself, it is this:
I do not stop after one or two setbacks.
In a way, that mindset is exactly what I admire about Diane von Furstenberg. Her story was never about taking the expected path—it was about persistence, vision, and creating your own space in the industry.
And I fully intend to do the same.
14. Jil Sander – The Original Minimalist Powerhouse
Before The Row, before Phoebe Philo, there was Jil Sander.
She built an entire aesthetic around: precision, tailoring, minimalism
Her designs are not loud, but they are incredibly powerful. She paved the way for modern brands like Khaite and Totême. If you love quiet luxury today, you owe something to Jil Sander.
15. Elsa Peretti – The Queen of Sculptural Jewelry
I fell in love with Elsa Peretti after watching Halston on Netflix back in 2021, before all the fashion girlies discovered her iconic bone cuff or bean necklace.
She was not only part of that iconic circle but also one of the most important jewelry designers for Tiffany & Co.
Her designs — like the bone cuff and bean necklace — are still incredibly modern.
But beyond her work, her personal style was just as captivating.
16. Victoria Beckham – The Modern Fashion Icon
Love her or criticize her, Victoria Beckham has become a true modern style icon.
Especially in the early 2010s, her evolution into a minimal, tailored aesthetic influenced so many women.
People still search for her looks today on Pinterest. And IMO her style is now very iconic and you can easily say this is something Victoria Beckham would wear. Isn’t it what a style icon means? staping your style on people’s minds.
She reinvents herself every 2-3 years. But her style is so distinguished that even with these frequent changes, you can still say this is so Victoria.
17. Kate Middleton – The Classic Royal Approach
There was a time I truly loved Kate Middleton’s style. Now, I find it a bit too conservative and predictable.
But whether I personally love it or not, she remains incredibly influential. People still talk about what she wears — and that alone says everything.
18. Meghan Sussex – The Modern Royal Disruptor
I genuinely love Meghan Markle’s (Sussex? Markle?) style. Even before becoming a duchess, she had a very polished and modern aesthetic.
Her travel wardrobe, especially during her Mediterranean trips, when she documented everything on her blog The Tig, ah it was so effortlessly chic.
After joining the royal family, she elevated her style even further, and she definitely brings her A-game to the table. And truly showed how you can represent a thousand-year-old institution and still look chic, modern, and polished.
19. Alexa Chung – The Original It-Girl of the Blogger Era
Even if you are not a huge fan, you cannot deny her influence.
Alexa Chung defined the “It-girl” aesthetic of the early blogging era.
Unlike many influencers today, her style always felt personal — not overly commercial.
20. Iris Apfel – The Fearless Maximalist
I am not a maximalist. But Iris Apfel constantly pops into my mind when I think about true style icons.
That alone tells you everything.
She proved that fashion has no age limit and no rules.
21. Blair Waldorf – The Fictional Icon of Old-Money Elegance
Blair Waldorf is another fictional character I could not ignore. She represents something very specific:
You cannot buy style even if you have money. She is definitely opposite of this statement. Although she is more of a nouveau riche, she has lots of old money aesthetics and qualities in her wardrobe choices.
Blair Waldorf’s outfits embodied structure, taste, and discipline in fashion.
22. Türkan Şoray – The Turkish Delight Icon
I had to include her even if many people may not know her.
Türkan Şoray is one of the most famous actresses in Turkish cinema. We call her “The Sultana of Turkish Cinema.” Many people today recognize her from the viral TikTok “Turkish Delight makeup” trend.
But she was so much more than that. Her beauty, presence, and fashion sense made her a true icon.
If she had been more globally known, she could easily stand alongside Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe.
I truly enjoyed writing and reflecting on all these incredible women.
Each of them shaped not only fashion but also how we express ourselves through style.
Now I’m curious—
Who is your forever style icon? And did I miss someone you think absolutely belongs on this list?
