Have you ever wondered why you can easily pick out certain celebrities from a lineup, even when their faces are blurred? That’s because some of them have their own signature aesthetic. While this seems like an easy feat, becoming a fashion legend that everyone else aspires to be is quite the challenge, and only a select few can pull it off. Whether they’re an Old Hollywood A-lister or one of today’s biggest stars, they all have one thing in common: they’re recognizable at just one glance. In this list, we’ll be walking you through 32 of the world’s biggest style icons who helped shape and continue to influence fashion as we know it today.
#1 Audrey Hepburn
It’s impossible to think of Audrey Hepburn without picturing her memorable performance in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Her doe eyes, elegant silhouette, and classic Givenchy little black dress captured the hearts of many, confirming her place as not only a film legend but also a timeless fashion icon. Naturally, Hepburn’s signature look, consisting of cigarette trousers, boat-neck tops, and simple shift dresses, earned her an induction into the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame.
25points
#2 Jackie Kennedy Onassis
What most people probably don’t know is that, besides being First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was one of the most legendary style icons of the 20th century. With tailored suits, pillbox hats, and minimalist silhouettes, she perfectly blended American and European aesthetics, ultimately modernizing White House fashion. In later years, Onassis epitomized the jet-set look with trench coats, scarves, and oversized sunglasses. Today, her clean, simple style continues to inspire designers and fashion lovers alike.
Report
20points
#3 Princess Diana
When revisiting some of Diana’s classic looks, it’s easy to see why she was nicknamed the “People’s Princess”. She perfectly blended royal glamor with modern fashion to create her own signature, relatable style, which she used to connect with the people and places she visited when fulfilling her duties. You can probably guess that her iconic ‘revenge’ dress, power suits, and sleek evening gowns became some of the most unforgettable looks in pop culture history.
20points
#4 Brigitte Bardot
With her voluminous hair, smoky eyeliner, and alluring clothing choices, it should come as no surprise to learn that Brigitte Bardot is one of the most recognizable fashion icons of the 1950s and 1960s. She’s often credited with shaping the sexual revolution and influencing many generations of women with her sensual, effortless style.
19points
#5 Marlene Dietrich
With an acting and singing career spanning nearly seven decades, it’s no surprise that Marlene Dietrich was a major style icon during her prime. She didn’t shy away from reinventing her image or experimenting with androgynous fashion that hardly anyone else was wearing back then. Dietrich’s fearless, super-refined style influenced designers for decades, even paving the way for menswear-inspired looks for women.
Report
18points
#6 Sophia Loren
Widely recognized as the ‘Italian Marilyn Monroe’, Sophia Loren is one of the last surviving film icons from the Golden Age of Hollywood. With her winged eyeliner, opulent jewelry, and form-fitting dresses, she was often treated as a muse by renowned designers such as Giorgio Armani, Balenciaga, Valentino, and Schuberth. Much like Marilyn Monroe, Loren’s signature look had the perfect balance of sophistication and drama, and continues to influence fashion today.
Report
18points
#7 Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was more than just a skilled actress; she was one of Hollywood’s most unforgettable style icons. Famous for her picture-perfect hair, striking gowns, and opulent jewelry collection, Taylor truly embodied Hollywood glamor with her captivating beauty and lavish lifestyle.
Report
17points
#8 Katharine Hepburn
Interestingly enough, Audrey Hepburn and Katharine Hepburn had no direct relation, but both women challenged societal fashion norms, way before such forward-thinking became widely accepted. In the ‘30s and ‘40s, when she wasn’t smashing records as an actress, Katharine was breaking the style mold by trading Hollywood glitz for a more relaxed way of dressing. She pioneered wearing pants, tailored suits, and button-down shirts before they became mainstream.
17points
#9 Marilyn Monroe
Very few stars revolutionized Hollywood style much like Marilyn Monroe. Known for her bold, feminine aesthetic and sensuality, she’s responsible for some of cinema’s most iconic fashion moments. From Monroe’s unforgettable white halter dress in The Seven Year Itch to her figure-hugging red carpet looks, it’s not surprising that her signature style continues to inspire Hollywood glamor today.
Report
16points
#10 Grace Kelly
Long before Grace Kelly became a real-life princess, she was already an award-winning actress known for her refined image. She favored quiet luxury when it came to her styling, often opting for tailored dresses with classic lines, colors, and silhouettes, giving her an overall regal presence. Kelly’s induction into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame totally secured her place as a timeless fashion icon.
Report
16points
#11 Dolly Parton
Instead of following fashion trends, Dolly Parton has stayed true to her fun and daring signature style. When asked about her look, she said, “ There was this one woman (in a Sears catalog), I thought she was beautiful and, you know, she had the peroxide hair, and she had it all piled up on her head and had red fingernails and red lipstick and, you know, wore her powder. And I just thought she was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen.” As it turns out, she pretty much described the inspiration behind her unforgettable personal aesthetic.
16points
#12 Lesley Lawson (Twiggy)
Much like Marlene Dietrich, Twiggy became a ‘60s style icon thanks to her signature androgynous look. Defining the mod aesthetic with her boyish styling and slim frame, she completely deviated from the Hollywood ideal at the time, which was a curvy and voluptuous silhouette. Ultimately, Twiggy turned youth-driven fashion into a global craze.
Report
15points
#13 Josephine Baker
Without a doubt, Josephine Baker lit up the ‘20s with her liberated style. On stage, she dazzled audiences with her showy costumes made up of fringed flapper gowns and extravagant headpieces. But away from the spotlight, she leaned more towards an androgynous style, opting for menswear pieces like tailored suits and top hats.
Report
15points
#14 Stevie Nicks
Much like her music and songwriting, Stevie Nicks’ signature style gives off a dreamy and free-spirited vibe. From flowy chiffon dresses and romantic blouses to high-waisted jeans and fringed shawls, she has created her own unique aesthetic and firmly established herself as a fashion icon throughout her career.
Report
14points
#15 Anna May Wong
As one of Old Hollywood’s most popular Asian American actresses, Anna May Wong not only broke barriers in the film industry but also made waves with her unique beauty and aesthetic. Voted the “world’s best-dressed woman” by the Mayfair Mannequin Society of New York in 1934, her style perfectly blended Asian influences with modern Western fashion.
13points
#16 Lauren Bacall
Professional attire probably isn’t a clothing choice that most of us would consider glamorous, but somehow, during her prime, Lauren Bacall transformed office pieces into effortless evening wear. She often combined pencil skirts and pleated trousers with silk blouses and sharp blazers to create her signature seductive style, which is still referenced in Hollywood today.
13points
#17 Jane Birkin
Not only did actress Jane Birkin inspire the legendary Hermès Birkin bag, but she also greatly influenced fashion in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for her relaxed, casual dressing and signature basket bag, Birkin always found a way to make a simple t-shirt and a pair of jeans look sophisticated and chic.
Report
12points
#18 Coco Chanel
One simply can’t compile a list of style icons without mentioning Coco Chanel, the talented French designer who dominated the Parisian fashion industry for nearly six decades. Known for her signature creations, such as the Chanel suit, Coco’s relaxed yet refined designs inspired women in the 20th century to ditch their uncomfortable corsets, bulky petticoats, and complicated fits.
Report
12points
#19 Michelle Obama
While Michelle Obama isn’t the only First Lady to make this list, her influence on American fashion is in a league of its own. During her tenure, Michelle Obama’s style effortlessly combined high-end luxury with everyday brands, not only emphasizing her elegance but also her relatability. Still recognized for her grace and tasteful aesthetic, it’s no wonder she has become a global fashion icon.
12points
#20 Grace Jones
Pretty well known as one of the most famous androgynous models, it’s easy to see why Grace Jones took the Paris fashion by storm in the ‘70s. Thanks to her bold features, dramatic makeup, and sculptural silhouette, she made the perfect muse for renowned designers such as Jean-Paul Goude. Jones’ fearless image redefined pop culture glamor and totally established her as a long-term influence on androgynous fashion.
Report
11points