Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress - Her 13 Sensational Dresses as she transforms into a Princess
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Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady is a stylish rags to riches musical drama, with a legendary collection of Edwardian dresses and costumes.
It’s centered around the transformation of a poor flower girl into a beautiful princess, played by Audrey Hepburn.
This post is all about the Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfits
What did Audrey Hepburn wear in My Fair Lady?
Audrey Hepburn wears a stunning collection of dresses in My Fair Lady.
These include simple day dresses, feminine skirt and blouse outfits, tailored suit dresses, flowy tea dresses, lacey party dresses, and jeweled evening gowns.
Her fashion accessories ranged from simple straw hats, which she wore as a poor flower girl to dramatic hats with flowers, feathers, and fruit, that she wore as a lady. She paired these with dainty gloves, parasols, and pointy low-heeled pumps.
Who designed the clothes in My Fair Lady?
Cecil Beaton, a costume designer and photographer, designed the clothes for My Fair Lady.
He snagged an Oscar for Best Costume Design for the movie.
He was delighted to use his creative talents for Audrey Hepburn’s lead role in My Fair Lady, as he was an adoring fan.
“Intelligent and alert, wistful but enthusiastic, frank yet tactful, assured without conceit and tender without sentimentality, Audrey Hepburn is the most refreshing theatrical talent to appear since the war. …and it is no rash judgement to say she is one of the most interesting public embodiments of our new feminine ideal.”
My Fair Lady Summary
In 1912 in London, the poor, crude, and dirty flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn), tries to sell paisleys to a wealthy crowd.
The renowned and haughty Professor of phonetics, Professor Higgins (Rex Harrison)
is there and he captures her improper English in his notebook, and brags about how he could turn her into a lady in six months time, and even pass her off at the prestigious Embassy Ball as upper class.
The wealthy Colonel Hugh Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White) is intrigued and offers to sponsor Eliza Doolittle for the experiment.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #1 - Brown Flower Girl Dress Costume
My Fair Lady is set in the year 1912, with Edwardian style the current rage.
This fashion era was also known as the La Belle Epoque (the Beautiful Era) or the Gilded Age, since women’s fashion was opulent and extravagant.
Their outfits include feathers, diamonds galore, colorful flashy dresses, and gloves, and are a special blend of Edwardian style meets 1960s fashion inspiration, thanks to the My Fair Lady costume designer Cecil Beaton.
In stark contrast to the opulent clothing of the wealthy, a dirty and bedraggled flower seller, Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn), approaches the posh crowd and tries to sell them paisleys, speaking with a very strong Cockney accent.
A stranger warns her that someone is writing down everything she’s saying in his book!
The stranger turns out to be Professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) who brags that in six months he could teach her proper English and pass her off as a duchess at the Embassy ball, or get her a job as a shop assistant.
Later that evening, cold and hungry, Eliza Doolittle thinks over what Professor Higgins said.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing a dirty old dress, apron and tattered blue coat, and an unflattering straw hat. Although she is covered in grime, her outfit is still accessorized with paisleys at the waist, the same flowers she is selling for her living. Audrey Hepburn’s outfit is an interesting blend of Edwardian working-class and mix-and-match rags.
Fun facts!
In Old Hollywood days, make-up artists and costume designers usually disguised Audrey Hepburn’s square jaw, but Cecil Beaton specifically emphasized this during her early scenes as a flower girl, so that her transformation to a beautiful princess was even more striking–with upswept hairstyles highlighting her incredible bone structure.
Legend has it that it took a make-up team multiple tries with a concoction of petroleum gel and clay to create Audrey Hepburn’s bedraggled hairstyle and grimy appearance, which is so different than the usual chic Audrey Hepburn style.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #2 - An Edwardian Pauper's Finery
Eliza Doolittle arrives at Professor Higgins’ house the next morning, announcing that she’s come for speech lessons.
Professor Higgins’ good friend, the wealthy colonel Hugh Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White) asks Professor Higgins about his boast that he could pass off Eliza Doolittle as a duchess at the Embassy Ball.
He says that he’ll sponsor her for the experiment (lessons, clothes), as he wagers that Professor Higgins can’t do it!
Professor Higgins (very tempted): “It’s almost irresistible. She’s so deliciously low – so horribly dirty!”
Eliza Doolittle is ushered off to the bathroom to be stripped and cleaned for her new wardrobe.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing her finest pauper’s attire, which consists of a shabby brown velvet blazer, black feather shawl, and voluminous layers of skirts, topped by a dramatically large wide-brimmed hat with frills and feathers.
She also has a yellow scarf tied around her neck. Her pauper’s finest outfit is an interesting Edwardian blend of old clothes and outdated “finery”.
Fun Fact!
Per the direction of Cecil Beaton, Audrey Hepburn wore weights on her lower legs for the early scenes of the movie. This was to emphasize her gawkiness and inelegance as a flower girl, which dramatized her transformation into a graceful lady.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #3 - Tan Ruffled Dress Costume
As part of her speech lessons, Eliza Doolittle is practicing her alphabet, and how to pronounce her vowels.
Professor Higgins checks on her, and then tells her to continue practicing.
She rebelliously yells her syllables at him, as he leaves the room.
Audrey Hepburn comes out of the study pronouncing her vowels all wrong. They sound hilarious and really weird.
Professor Higgins (frustrated): “I promise you, you’ll say your vowels correctly before this day’s out, or they’ll be no lunch, no dinner and NO Chocolates!”
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing a tan colored dress, with tiered fabric layers at the bodice and skirt, and a lace accent at the neck. Her Edwardian school girl outfit is perfect for her role as a student. Her hair is swept up into a full pompadour and is fastened with a big black bow.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #4 - Edwardian Schoolgirl Costume
Eliza Doolittle’s lessons continue with various speaking contraptions.
Professor Higgins is teaching her to correctly pronounce the “the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain.”
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing an intricately fashioned button down blouse and long brown skirt, with her small waist emphasized by a brown belt.
Audrey Hepburn’s outfit is another Edwardian schoolgirl style. Each dress is progressively more chic and flattering, and her bedraggled appearance is gone.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #5 - White Blouse, Tie, & Skirt Costume
Eliza Doolittle’s speech lessons continue the next morning with Professor Higgins using more funny tools to correct her speaking.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing a white tailored blouse with a tan tie that matches her full pleated skirt. This is another charming school girl outfit, perfect for a college student in the old days.
Professor Higgins and his friend talk about how glorious their tea and cakes are, while Professor Higgins continues to drill Eliza.
She stares longingly at their tea and strawberry tarts, but the professor is oblivious, continuing with his instructions.
Besides the incredible fashion and costumes, My Fair Lady has some great understated humor, and catchy musical scores.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #6 - Wine Colored Dress Costume
In the next scene Professor Higgins is throwing marbles into Eliza Doolittle’s mouth and explaining how to enunciate a phrase correctly.
Notice how her her dress colors are moving from more drab and muted colors, to vivid colors that flatter Audrey Hepburn’s natural coloring.
Eliza Doolittle tries arguing with him, and then there’s a huge gulp. In fright, she says that she swallowed one!
He says not to worry as he has thirty more… and he starts plopping them in her mouth again.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing a wine colored dress, with white cross-stitch detailing in the bodice and lace at the collar. Another perfect school girl outfit for her training to be a lady.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Green Dress Outfit: #7 - Romper Flower Girl Costume
It is really late as Professor Higgins continues with Eliza’s speech lessons. “The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain.”
This time, Eliza is finally able to recite it perfectly.
Since this is a musical, the group excitedly breaks into the song and dance singing “The Rain in Spain”.
While they are dancing, you get a glimpse of Eliza’s sheer black leggings and small kitten pumps.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Boolittle wears a dark green dress layered on top of a white blouse.
Her simple fashion accessories are a gold locket and flowers at her waist, which are a nod back to her days as a flower girl.
Her hair is pulled up into a full pompadour style, but it is styled with more volume at the crown of her head versus on the sides of her face, and it looks much more sophisticated and shows off her beautiful bone structure.
These are all subtle style changes that are slowly transforming her into a lady.
Audrey Hepburn Fashion My Fair Lady Sleeping Outfit: #8 - Old Fashioned Nightgown Costume
The housekeeper leads the dazed and sleepy Eliza Doolittle upstairs, and the maids help her undress.
In this musical number, Eliza Doolittle sings about how she could have danced all night, as she is ecstatic over what just happened, while the maids sing about how it’s time for her to be in bed.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing a long sleeved white nightgown with yellow ribbon accents on the neck and sleeves, and matching yellow slippers.
Her nightgown outfit is charmingly retro, girly and comfy; we love it!
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Black and White Dress Outfit: #9 - Fancy Ascot Dress
My fair lady black and white dress worn by Audrey Hepburn
Professor Higgins announces it’s time to test her in public. They will take her to the horse races at Ascot.
The Ascot race event was the height of the Summer Season for London and upper-crest English society goes to be seen.
The costumes of the elegant wealthy are mesmerizing. They are all dressed in stunning costumes in shades of gray, black and white, and they break into synchronized movements and sing about how every duke, duchess, and everyone who should be seen is here!
Professor Higgins gives Eliza Doolittle strict instructions to talk only about the weather and people’s health.
Audrey Hepburn’s dress is a stunning floor-length gown of pure white, with dramatic dark green stripes and bows. Her fashion accessories include a matching opulent hat with green bows, lilac and red flowers, and feathers, and a matching white lace parasol and bag, which is an elaborate pattern of lace and flowers.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle speaks very slowly and precisely, carefully pronouncing her words, with long funny pauses.
When one of the older ladies asks if they think it will rain, she replies with perfect pronunciation, “The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plain,” to which the audience is confused, but Professor Higgins smiles in approval.
During the race, she gets so excited, she starts shouting at the horse, “Come on Dover, move your blooming a**!” to which the proper old ladies are horrified and one faints straight away.
The young man, Freddy, thinks she’s a riot and is completely smitten.
He follows her home with flowers, and waits outside her door singing, refusing to leave.
Inside Eliza Doolittle is discouraged at her mistakes, afraid that she won't be ready for the Embassy Ball.
Fun Fact!
Cecil Beaton's Fair Lady is an entire photography book of Audrey Hepburn modeling the stunning My Fair Lady costumes for Cecil Beaton that were worn by the wealthy at the opening opera scenes and the Ascot races. It’s fun matching her wearing the different outfits to the corresponding scene in the movie. There are so many, we’ll let you play “Where’s Audrey costume?” over your glass of red wine.
Legend has it that costume designer and photographer Cecil Beaton designed 1,500 costumes for My Fair Lady!
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Ball Gown Outfit: #10 - Jeweled White Ball Gown Costume
It’s the big night of the ball.
Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering are nervously waiting for Eliza Doolittle to come downstairs.
Colonel Pickering exclaims, “I bet that damn gown doesn’t fit. I warned you about these French designers! We should have gone to a good English shop, where everyone around would have been on our side!” Interesting and comedic British sentiment towards the French fashion houses.
As Audrey Hepburn walks down, both men stare in wonder.
Colonel Pickering exclaims, “You look beautiful Miss Doolittle!”
Professor Higgins tries to play it off, nonchalantly saying, “Not bad. Not bad at all!”
Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady ball gown is a stunning form fitting floor-length dress woven with sparkling crystals.
Her fashion accessories include matching jeweled shoes and white gloves.
Her jewelry is an elaborate diamond necklace, matching earrings and stunning tiara. She pulls on a velvet wine colored floor length coat over her ball gown, before stepping outside.
Audrey Hepburn’s stunning ball gown in My Fair Lady
In stark contrast to other women’s gaudiness at the ball, Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle’s My Fair Lady ball gown is stunning in it’s elegance and simplicity, and Eliza Doolittle stands out.
There is another language expert at the ball, who prides himself in detecting “imposters” (non-gentry) for the royalty at official international parties. He spots Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle sweep into the room, in her stunning ball gown and he stares at her with intrigue.
Audrey Hepburn is officially presented to the Queen of Transulvannsia, who replies, “Charming, quite charming!”
The Prince of Transulvannsia asks to dance with her, and she is swept onto the dance floor.
Later that evening, a wealthy duchess beacons to the language expert and tells him to find out who Eliza Doolittle is. He smugly replies, “With pleasure.”
The language expert stalks Eliza Doolittle until he can finally get a chance to dance and chat with her on the ballroom floor.
After the dance ends, whispers begin to spread across the ballroom like wildfire!
Eliza continues dancing, beautiful and in her element, completely oblivious to the background drama.
Finally the gossip reaches Professor Higgins and he starts laughing loudly.
The language expert’s verdict was that Eliza Doolittle was born of Hungarian royal blood, and that she is a princess, as royalty is written on her face.
Back at home, everyone is praising Professor Higgins on his immense success, for not only passing off Eliza Doolittle as lady… but a princess!
Fun Fact!!
The effect Audrey Hepburn had wearing her jeweled ball gown in the movie, was similar to the effect she had in real life when she entered the set the first time wearing this dress. The cast and crew started staring silently at her, and then erupted in clapping and cheering–since she was so stunningly beautiful.
Audrey Hepburn’s stunning pull-over velvet coat is a stunning pop of color against her ball gown. She wears this again after she returns from the ball, and is angry at Professor Higgins.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfit: #11 - Peach Day Dress Costume
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle packs her bags to leave.
As she steps outside, her ardent admirer, Freddy, is still there, singing about her. He comes almost every evening and writes to her multiple times a day.
During the song, he chases her, trying to hug and kiss her, but she aptly dodges him.
Audrey Hepburn’s character Eliza Doolittle is wearing a peach colored fitted blazer with tassels and matching tiered skirt. She has a line of big statement buttons on her blazer and skirt. She is wearing a white translucent lace blouse and matching gloves. Her interesting hat appears to be an edible arrangement of fruits, flowers, and bows, and of course it matches her dress outfit.
The next morning when Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering realize Eliza Doolittle is gone and start searching for her.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Pink Dress: #12 - Elegant Pastel Day Costume
Audrey Hepburn’s character visits Professor Higgins’ mother to tell her what happened.
Professor Higgins arrives at his mother’s house.
His mother reminds her, “Remember, you not only danced with a prince last night, you behaved like a princess.”
Professor Higgins is shocked to find her there, and she blandly explains, “I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins because he always treats me as a flower girl and always will, but I know I shall always be a lady to Colonel Pickering because he always treats me as a lady and always will.”
She tells Professor Higgins that all she wants is kindness from him and how she’s come to regard him as a dear friend.
They argue and Professor Higgins leaves dejected.
When he arrives home, he wanders aimlessly into his study, and starts playing a recording of what Eliza Doolittle said on her first visit to his house….
Suddenly the record player stops, and he hears a repeat of what was said that day, “I washed my face and hands before I come, I did,” in a crazy cockney accent. Eliza Doolittle is standing there.
Professor Higgins looks up, delighted, but he quickly adjusts his face and says nonchalantly, “Where the devil are my slippers?” He leans back for a nap.
The stylish Eliza Doolittle walks towards him, home at last, with her cozy and quirky new family.
Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Pink Dress - an elaborate floor length gown, fashioned with layers and layers of pink chiffon, including a tiered skirt, criss-crossing bodice, and pink translucent sleeves and neck. Audrey Hepburn is also wearing matching pink shoes.
This post was all about the Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady Dress Outfits
What are your thoughts on Audrey Hepburn My Fair Lady dress outfits and costumes?
Do you prefer Audrey Hepburn’s glamorous fashion, like her ball gown or pink dress, or her casual schoolgirl fashion, like her green romper dress?
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