Long before celebrities influenced fashion, New York socialites were the trendsetters. The most powerful and beloved fashionista of the era was Babe Paley, whose sense of style was so distinct and sophisticated that even her fellow socialites seemed to disappear in her presence. In 1958, Paley was rewarded for her exquisite taste when she was inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame, a well-earned recognition.
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Although Paley died in 1978, her impact on the fashion world continues. So much so that every time you see a scarf tied to a handbag, you can thank Paley. Not one to leave home without a scarf, Paley reportedly tied her oh-so-important accessory to her bag on one hot day, and voilà! She cemented herself in fashion history.
Paley was one of author Truman Capote’s “swans,” a group of socialites that included C.Z. Guest, Slim Keith, and Lee Radziwill, all fashion legends in their own right. The group’s impeccable style in New York during the 1960s and ’70s remains the epitome of timeless sophistication, and has recently seen a resurrection on fall/winter 2024 runways. Of all the 2024 fashion trends to choose from, the distinct style of the “swans” will remain relevant no matter when you wear it.
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Get yourself a pair of cigarette pants
Although the swans rocked cigarette pants effortlessly, it’s the glamorous Audrey Hepburn who made them iconic in 1957’s “Funny Face.” These slim-fitting pants with a hem just above the ankle were a staple for Hepburn — not just in the film, but in real life too. In black or neutral, pair the pants with flats and a sweater or a white button-down, and you’ve nailed timeless sophistication.
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Invest in a pillbox hat — or two or three
Similar to cigarette pants, the pillbox hat was cemented as a fashion classic by someone with a little more celebrity clout than your everyday socialite. That person was Jackie Kennedy. During her marriage to John F. Kennedy and afterward, Jackie was often spotted wearing a pillbox hat. In fact, she was wearing a pink one when Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963. Today, a pillbox hat looks just as fantastic when worn casually or when you’re spruced up for a special occasion.
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Don a scoop-neck midi dress
Because the swans were all about keeping things as sophisticated as possible (or demure, in some respects), the perfect dress length was midi. As for the neckline, there was really no need (at least in their minds) to reveal too much, making the scoop neck ideal. On cool days, a silk scarf around the neck or shoulders pulls this whole look together.
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Rock a pair of court shoes
Don’t let the name fool you: court shoes are not for tennis, pickleball, or any other type of leisure sport. With a low-cut front and almond-shaped toes, court shoes can come either as flats or with a kitten heel, and are purposely subtle and quiet in appearance. A swan, or anyone else trying to pull off timeless sophistication, wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of high heels — save that for the mob wife aesthetic.
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Add a splash of leopard print
Now before you point out that this particular pattern is more for the mob wife wannabes, it can certainly be timeless and sophisticated depending on how it’s worn. Think leopard print coats, scarves, flats, or similar accent pieces that spice up all the neutrals this aesthetic calls for, and people will mistake you for the ghost of Babe Paley.
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Go thrifting for vintage brooches
Not only were scarves an important accessory for the swans, but so were brooches. The right brooch on the right jacket was all it took to complete an outfit. To really nail this look, search for vintage broaches from the era.
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Still, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to appear timelessly sophisticated. As the late Vogue contributor André Leon Talley told The New York Times, “[Lee Radziwell] edited out the excess. She told me she’d never had a Hermès bag or silk scarf in her life.” Nailing this look is more about the pieces and the color palette than the label.