Iconic women in vintage

This is what the past has taught us about personal style

March always feels like the right time to reflect on the women who've shaped not just culture, but the way we dress. And honestly? The style icons I keep coming back to, the ones who inspire what I curate for Ella Pop Shop, aren't the ones who followed trends. They're the ones who ignored them.

Women like Jane Birkin, Françoise Hardy, Naomi Campbell in the 90s, and Princess Diana in her off-duty moments didn't dress for the runway. They dressed for themselves. And that's exactly the energy I want to bring into vintage shopping: intentional, personal, and completely timeless.

Jane Birkin: effortless, lived-in, perfectly undone

Jane Birkin is probably the woman I look at for inspiration the most. And I get it. Her style wasn't trying to be anything; it just was. High-waisted jeans, a white tee, a wicker basket, bare feet, messy fringe. She looked like she'd just thrown something on, and somehow it was iconic. The secret? She actually did just throw something on.

If you want to dress like Jane Birkin, start with the basics: vintage Levi's, simple cotton tees, oversized knits, and anything in denim or linen. The key is fit and fabric. Her jeans were always high-waisted and well-worn. Her shirts were never too precious. Everything had a bit of life in it already.

When you shop vintage, look for pieces that feel like they've been loved. A slightly faded band tee, a cotton button-down that's soft from years of washing, a pair of denim cut-offs with frayed hems. That's the Jane Birkin formula: real clothes, real fabrics, real life.

Françoise Hardy: mod, minimal, impossibly chic

If Jane Birkin was undone, Françoise Hardy was composed. Tailored shift dresses, clean lines, monochrome palettes, and those perfect 60s silhouettes. She had this way of looking polished without ever looking stiff.

Her style teaches us that vintage isn't just about being casual. It's also about structure, quality tailoring and investing in pieces that hold their shape. A wool A-line dress, a silk scarf, a leather handbag, these are the things that elevate an outfit from "nice" to "I need to know where you got that."

When I source pieces for Ella Pop Shop, I'm always drawn to the kind of vintage Françoise would've worn: natural fibres, beautiful construction, timeless cuts. The kind of thing you can wear now and in ten years, and it'll still feel right.

Naomi Campbell in the 90s: boldness in simplicity

Naomi in the 90s was a masterclass in confidence. Whether she was in a slip dress, a blazer with nothing underneath, or head-to-toe leather, she made simplicity look powerful. Her off-duty style was sleek, minimal, and always a little bit sexy, but never overdone.

What I love about her look is how much it relied on quality over quantity. A great leather jacket. A perfect pair of sunglasses. A slip dress in silk, not polyester. She didn't need a lot, because what she wore was good. That's the lesson here: when you're shopping vintage, prioritise fabric and fit over volume. One incredible leather piece will do more for your wardrobe than five fast-fashion jackets ever could.

Princess Diana's casual looks: relaxed, real, relatable

We all know Diana in the gowns and tiaras, but our favourite Diana moments? The ones where she's in a chunky knit, high-waisted jeans, and cowboy boots. Or an oversized blazer with cycling shorts. She dressed like a real person and looked amazing doing it.

Her casual style was about comfort, but it was also about intention. She knew how to make a relaxed look pulled-together. A great knit, a well-cut blazer, a sturdy pair of boots, these are vintage staples that never go out of style.

So, how can we actually dress like them?

Here's the thing: you don't need to recreate their exact outfits. You need to understand what made their style work, and then apply that to your own wardrobe.

Start with these vintage staples:

• High-waisted denim (the more worn-in, the better)
• Cotton and linen basics (tees, button-downs, simple dresses)
• Tailored blazers and wool coats
• Leather jackets, bags, and boots
• Silk scarves, slip dresses, and anything that feels a bit luxe

The women who inspire me didn't chase what was new. They wore what felt right, what lasted, and what made them feel like themselves. That's what I want for you, too. If you're ready to build a wardrobe that's a little bit Jane, a little bit Naomi, and 100% you, browse the current collection at Ella Pop Shop. Every piece is hand-picked, made to last, and ready to become part of your story.

Because vintage isn't about dressing like someone else. It's about finding the pieces that help you dress like you.