The famous Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, would have celebrated her 96th birthday today. We’re looking back on her timeless style and the influence she had as the it-girl of her era.
by Tina LončarNovember 12, 2025
Although she reached the height of her fame in the 1950s, Grace Kelly’s style hasn’t faded to this day. The Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, who in her short but brilliant four-year film career delivered a series of remarkable performances and won an Academy Award for Best Actress in The Country Girl, is remembered for her grace and elegance that proved to be timeless.
Her softly curled golden bob, red lips, and pearl earrings became the signature of the Golden Age Hollywood icon, while her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco was a true fashion spectacle. Costume designer Helen Rose created Grace’s gown using around 274 meters of vintage lace and 137 meters of taffeta, with added tulle and silk, and a team of 30 seamstresses worked on the dress for three full weeks. Always impeccably dressed, with carefully chosen accessories such as long satin gloves, turbans, or wide-brimmed hats, Kelly, like a true trendsetter, shaped the course of style in her era. More than four decades after her tragic death, Grace Kelly’s flawless sense of style remains a lasting source of inspiration.
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In the 1950s, the famous Hollywood costume designer Edith Head created the wardrobe for Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. For the film’s leading actress, Grace Kelly, who played Frances Stevens, Head chose the Sac à dépêches bag by Hermès. Grace loved it so much that she continued to wear it off set. After marrying Prince Rainier of Monaco, she was often followed by paparazzi, and in one of the photos, Grace used her beloved Hermès bag to discreetly cover the first signs of pregnancy. The photo quickly spread around the world, thrusting the bag into the spotlight.
Although it was Grace who turned this accessory into a must-have item, the model wasn’t officially renamed the Kelly bag until more than two decades later. While it’s unlikely that any brand will name a bag after us, choosing and consistently wearing a favorite accessory is proof of true style. It shows you’re creative enough to build different outfits around the same piece and not easily swayed by trends — and once you’ve found something that truly works, that consistency will make it your signature.
Related: More than just a bag — 10 timeless designs whose popularity hasn’t faded for decades
When we wrote about the key pieces that make up the wardrobes of women who always look elegant, the wool coat made the list as a symbol of timeless style and lasting quality. Grace Kelly knew this well — she always chose perfectly tailored coats and often paired them with sunglasses, hats, and long gloves.
Related: 6 pieces stylish women use to elevate every winter outfit
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A fur coat and sunglasses (perfect for hiding from curious onlookers) were something of a “uniform” during Hollywood’s Golden Age, and this classic combination remains just as glamorous today. While we now often opt for faux fur versions, the visual effect is equally striking and elegant — only now our glamour comes with a cruelty-free label. Bingo!
Related: How fur went from a controversial fashion choice to a symbol of the future of fashion
“I love pearls on screen and in my private life,” said Grace Kelly, who was rarely seen in public without earrings, whether it was the pearl and diamond pair from Van Cleef & Arpels gifted by her husband, or her favorite drop earrings. For her, earrings were more than just an accessory; they symbolized her transformation into royalty. Luckily, you don’t have to marry a prince to complete your look with a beautiful pair, this timeless accessory will always add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.
Nothing says glamour quite like a decadent wide-brimmed hat. Besides being endlessly elegant and evoking the spirit of bygone eras, it also serves as a kind of shield from anyone you’d rather keep at a distance. Stylish and practical!
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Sometimes looking stylish doesn’t require a lot of time or effort, sometimes the formula is surprisingly simple. Grace Kelly proved this with her love for matching sets and jumpsuits. She wore them everywhere, from film sets to summer getaways, and always elevated her simple yet elegant looks with accessories, a leather belt cinched at the waist, a scarf casually hanging from her pocket, or one tied in her hair.
