Why Edie Sedgwick Is Our Unexpected Style Icon

A bit like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast At Tiffany's, the key to Edie's appeal is almost her lack of clothing as it is much the presence. There's a reason why Factory Girl is one of our favourite films and it's not just because of Sienna's (actually pretty good, thanks) acting.

Go on then, why Edie?

Backless, barely-there hemmed dresses, strong Cara eyebrows and more gamine than a French child wearing Breton stripes (incidentally breton stripes are an Edie staple) who doesn't want to look like a mega-cute Edie? (Minus the omnipresent fag, kids.) The Warholian Factory may have been as creepy as it was hedonistic, but there's no denying the alchemy that happened when Edie and a pair of tights met Warhol and a camera.

Who else is into it?

Hedi Slimane's entire AW14 Saint Laurent collection, that's who. He may have been slammed for the super-young, super-slender models, but both the spirit and the separates - ultra-short A-Line sparkly mini dresses, stripes and flat Mary Jane pumps - were pure Edie, in the best way. Edie's inspired many modern muses, too. Suki Waterhouse has a lot of the Edie about her as does a previous subject of our Debrief Dissects series, Langley Fox.

But how would I do it in real life?

Don't get overexcited and copy her look wholesale when I tell you this, but there really is nothing 'Edie' that you can't buy now. Your checklist should include: huge statement dangly earrings and cocktail necklaces (not to be worn together), sheer black tights (with, er, nothing on top) with flat pumps, knee high suede boots, tons of stripes and simple, tight black mini dresses.

Edie's statement pieces were actually fairly conservative: she was rarely seen without a pair of plain black stiletto pumps and strings of pearls. Oh, and a fag. But we won't advocate that as an accessory, kay?

So, should I do it?

Poor old Edie may have not had the easiest ride in life, but her wardrobe maths was as simple as anything. Suede boots, tempered with big knits and lent a statement touch with slicked back hair is as current now as it was then. Think Twiggy, but less cute - more minxy. A stripey tee and some eyeliner's never going to look bad now, is it? Just practise your best coy smile.

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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.