It’s undeniable that Grace Kelly not only left a lasting legacy in the world of television, film, and endeavors as the Princess of Monaco, but also in fashion as well. Grace is remembered today for her chic, classic looks that were full of glamour and elegance, yet still down-to-earth and attainable. That’s a tall order for a princess and an Academy Award-winning actress, but she somehow achieved it! If you want to recreate some iconic looks inspired by Grace Kelly outfits, keep reading for a closer look at 11 pieces of inspiration to start your style journey.
1. A Neutral Look with a Pop of Red
shirt | skirt | coat | lipstick | shoes | bracelet | scarf | earrings | sunglasses
Grace Kelly’s looks often favored a soft color palette, balanced with modest, structured pieces. She wasn’t afraid to lean into menswear and often wore pleated trousers, button-down shirts, etc. This first look encapsulates many favorite pieces of the style icon: the crip white-button down shirt, pearls, and a practical, yet chic car coat.
If you want to get a classic style like Princess Grace of Monaco, lean into your capsule wardrobe. Many of Grace’s go-to styles can be found in today’s capsule closet, which makes it easy to put together chic looks inspired by the fashion icon.
Start your look with a black skirt (in your preferred length) and the white button-down. Next, add the coat – if you want to go vintage, choose a swing coat or car coat style. Then, add a pair of timeless pumps with a kitten heel. Finish the look with pearls, a red scarf, and a red lip for a pop of color.
2. White Draped in Pearls
dress | shoes | lipstick | necklace | bracelet | earrings
Grace Kelly’s style wouldn’t be complete without a touch of elegance. When it came to jewelry, Grace often relied heavily upon pearls to elevate her outfit. Pearls are classic, stately, and timeless, which makes them a great choice to dress up even your most casual outfits. Whether you wear them as an earring set, a bracelet, or a necklace (Grace often did all three), pearls are an easy way to instantly infuse a bit of her timeless elegance into your own look.
If you’re going all out with glamour for date night or a special occasion, pair your pearls with a white halter dress. Add a red lip and a pair of slingback heels, and you’ve got an unforgettable look that channels a vintage Hollywood starlet.
3. Beach Ready in a Button-Down
button-down | shorts | bag | shoes | bandana (similar)
Of course, Grace wasn’t all work with no play. The outfit above is beach vacation-approved and is perhaps one of the easiest looks to recreate on this list. I know I’ll be using this outfit as inspiration this summer, for sure!
First, start with Grace’s go-to button-down style. Then, add a crisp pair of linen shorts. If you want to style them like she did, roll the hem to create a cuff. When your shorts are a little too long, this is a no-cost way to temporarily tailor them to your liking. Next, add another one of Grace’s French girl-approved pieces – a scarf. She often used a silk scarf to accessorize, whether it was used to tie her hair back or worn around her neck for a pop of color.
Finally, add texture to your look with a pair of woven sandals. A raffia-style tote bag completes the outfit and will hold all of your beach day necessities.
4. Coastal Chic in a Shirtdress
shirtdress | bag | shoes | earrings
A white dress is another style often worn by Grace Kelly, and commonly associated with her timeless look. She loved to blend masculine and feminine pieces, and a white shirtdress with an a-line skirt was the perfect way to accomplish this. It’s modest, appropriate for warm weather, and a playful take on a structured button-down. This is one of my favorite Grace Kelly styles – it’s so easy to throw on a shirtdress and head out the door!
If you want to add a subtle pattern to Grace’s look, go for a blue and white striped version. Then, add your accessories. A pair of wedge heels provides stability and a slimming look. Finish your outfit with a timeless pair of pearl stud earrings and a woven bag.
5. Red, White, and Black Stripes
shirt | shorts | flats | lipstick | sweater
Elegant dress doesn’t stick to a totally neutral color palette. Grace often incorporated pops of color into her look, and particularly loved red. If you want to spice up your monotone outfits, introduce a third color into your outfit’s color palette for a refined, yet playful look for spring or summer.
Get the off-duty style of a vintage movie star with a striped shirt, red shorts, and a coordinating red cardigan. Then, add a pair of classic ballet flats for a feminine touch. Tie it all together with a bold red lipstick. It’s a small detail, but it really will make the outfit!
Also, don’t be afraid to rock a red lip during the day – I do this every so often, and get compliments everywhere I go! The trick is to follow Grace Kelly’s lead and keep the rest of your makeup look minimal that day.
6. Casual Black and Tan Look
tank | pants | bag | flats | earrings
Grace didn’t just shine on the red carpet – even her casual looks were elegant and chic, which just goes to show you don’t need a special occasion to dress in a classy way. Heading into the office, or maybe working from home? This next look is perfect for your average workweek.
Start your outfit with a sleeveless turtleneck. It provides great coverage for a modest look, but won’t cause you to overheat in the warmer months. Next, add a tailored pair of pants. Whether you prefer a wide-leg or a slimmer cut, a tan pair of work pants is a must for a classic capsule wardrobe and business casual style.
When it comes to the office, keep your accessories minimal. Stick with a pair of ballet flats, a top-handle bag, and a pair of pearl stud earrings. If you’d like, you could also add a gold wristwatch for a chic and practical final accessory.
7. A Plaid Skirt with Red Ballet Shoes for a Joy Ride
skirt | shirt | shoes | earrings | lipstick
Although I might not recommend hopping on a bike in a long skirt (if you do, make sure to wear a helmet!), Grace does manage to make it look so chic. Her playful look in this image fits right in with an academic type of aesthetic. From the white button-down to the long plaid skirt, this is a fun way to get inspired by light academia.
Brighten up the neutral look with Grace’s signature red lip and a pair of red ballet flats. Finish the outfit with a pair of gold droplet earrings – a great alternative to pearls for a minimal, yet classic appearance.
8. Pretty in Polka Dots
polka dot dress | flats | bracelet | necklace | earrings
Grace’s iconic look is often characterized by her effortless style. She never looked like she tried too hard – she exuded class and elegance, from her makeup and hair all the way down to her shoes. Part of this is due to her timeless look – she never seemed to lean too heavily into trends, and preferred classic silhouettes and patterns.
Polka dots are certainly having a moment on the runways this year. That’s evidence alone that this classic pattern has stood the test of time! Grace Kelly loved to incorporate polka dots into her style. A polka dot dress is a great choice for spring and summer outfits. Keep your focus on the dress and go for minimal accessories. A pair of white ballet flats and pearls is all you need.
9. A Timeless Tweed Set
tweed jacket | tweed skirt | ballet flats | bracelet | earrings | headband
Grace Kelly’s style is often known as the epitome of elegance, and if you love a feminine, elevated look, you can recreate this tweed style for a chic outfit idea. A matching set is an easy way to look put together, but still appear as if you put a lot of thought and time into your outfit. This light pink set is perfect for a cheery spring outfit, and if it’s still too chilly for a short shirt, you can always layer tights underneath.
Because the tweed set is the statement maker in this look, keep your accessories simple and in one color palette. A pair of black ballet flats, a coordinating pink headband in tweed, and a pair of pearl stud earrings are perfect.
10. Tailored in Tan
shirt | pants | scarf | shoes | belt
Grace loved her tailored, menswear-inspired pieces. She wasn’t afraid to play with fashion boundaries at the time by going for a more traditionally masculine look. She often incorporated the button-down shirt and pleated trousers into her outfits.
If you want to style Grace’s off-duty look for the office or the weekend, pair tonal pieces for a monochromatic style. Then, add a pop of color with a silk scarf. Wear it in your hair, on your bag handle, or around your neck. When it comes to jewelry, try mixing in more feminine pieces, like a pair of pearl earrings or a bracelet.
11. A Breezy Look in Butter Yellow
swimsuit | sarong | sunglasses | scarf
Last but not least, this outfit is perfect for the color of the moment – butter yellow! Butter yellow is certainly shining in spring and summer outfits this year, and it’s the perfect way to brighten up your looks after a long winter.
If you’re headed to the beach (or maybe just your local pool), lean into an all-yellow look with a butter yellow swimsuit, sarong, and scarf. Add a pair of vintage-inspired white sunglasses for a nostalgic touch, just like Grace’s character did in the classic film To Catch a Thief.
Grace Kelly’s Timeless Style
If you want a chic look and elegant style, a great place to start is with Grace Kelly’s wardrobe. Get inspired by her impeccable fashion sense with pearl and gold accessories, full skirts, swing coats, button-down shirts, high-waisted shorts, and of course, white gloves. This list of outfits will get you started, but there is endless outfit inspiration out there from classic icons like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn! Even today, these fashionistas from the past are the epitome of style.
Speaking of Audrey, her outfits are another great place to hone your impeccable fashion sense. Up Next: What I Would Wear As Audrey Hepburn in the 21st Century (the Best Audrey Hepburn Outfits Recreated)
Love this series you are doing by taking famous, stylish women from the past and recreating their looks for current day. Keep it up. Would love to see a post on Jackie O.
Thanks for the request – it’s been noted! Love to hear your feedback. Thanks for stopping by!
Love this! Please post the LTK links
Hi, Kelly! The outfit links are underneath the picture.