Brigitte Bardot: 11 Wardrobe Essentials That Made Her a Fashion Icon

French actor, singer, and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91, according to a statement released by her foundation.

Throughout the 1960s, Bardot’s sensual aura, stunning curves, and delightfully mischievous gaze propelled Brigitte Bardot to the status of an absolute French icon and sex symbol. A dream to men and a symbol of emancipation for women, she quickly became a fashion inspiration with her signature pieces and accessories. These include ballet flats, gingham skirts, and Breton striped tops, which she wore repeatedly throughout the decade. Let’s take a look back at these iconic pieces that made Brigitte Bardot a legend.

Ballet Flats

With their baby doll-like feel, ballet flats were worn throughout the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot, ballet flats eventually becoming her signature shoes. They made a big comeback in the past few years, transforming into a true statement accessory adorned with straps, rhinestones, and other details.

Bohemian dress

Light, colorful and fluid, this essential basic with a sunny aura can be worn just as easily at the beach as while strolling the streets of the capital.

Basket

Out with the micro-bags that only carry the essentials: this summer, the basket carried by Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin in the ’60s will enhance the look with a skillfully measured bucolic touch.

Gingham print

It subtly flirts between bourgeois elegance and suggestive sensuality. The gingham pattern was popularized in the 1950s by Brigitte Bardot when she married Jacques Charrier in a pink gingham dress. This print quickly became synonymous with the icon’s style.

Thigh-high boots

Perfect for elongating the silhouette, thigh-high boots remain a sure bet. While today we prefer them high-heeled, in Brigitte Bardot’s time they were worn low, like riding boots.

Straw hat

To protect yourself from the sun while boosting your fashion quotient, nothing beats a straw hat, an essential summer accessory.

A long necklace

Brigitte Bardot did not hesitate to enhance her looks with long gold strands, alone or layered, around her neck.

Headband

Brigitte Bardot’s magnetic beauty leaps off the screen in her film Le Mépris. It is also in this film that she sports a headband in her hair, the quintessential summer accessory.

The Sailor Shirt

Iconic, timeless and still as desirable as ever. The the marinière, characterized by its graphic stripes, remains a must-have fashion item this summer.

White bikini

Imagine Brigitte Bardot or Ursula Andress emerging from the water in the iconic scene from the James Bond film Dr. No. The pristine white bikini is undoubtedly the swimsuit to invest in this summer.

Micro-shorts

After the micro-skirt, now it’s time for the micro-short!

Cateye sunglasses

In the 1960s, Brigitte Bardot swore by cat-eye sunglasses. We bet these ultra-elongated styles, prized for their vintage appeal, will never go out of style.

A version of this article was originally Vogue France.