The Ultimate Guide to Edie Sedgwick’s Style

Meet 1965’s ‘Girl of the Year’

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We’ve been breaking down our list of 16 classic fashion icons everyone should know. Last week we talked about the French blonde bombshell Brigitte Bardot. This week, were talking about American muse Edie Sedgwick.

This gorgeous fashion model was also an actress and inspiration to Andy Warhol. She lived a shocking double life as both a pop culture icon and a struggling addict who battled mental illness.

Getting into the details of which might require more than just a content warning, but if you’re interesting in learning more be sure to read till the end and scroll through our sources.

But if you want to know a little about Edie’s socialite upbringing and career as a model in the 1960s, keep reading to find out.

All About Edie

Edie Sedgwick was born in Santa Barbara, California to a family of socialites in 1943. 

Every member of Edie’s immediate family seemed to have struggled with some type of mental illness throughout their lives, including Edie.

She was both homeschooled and studied at elite private schools during her childhood and would go on to study at Harvard.

When she was 21, Edie received $80,000 in a trust from her grandmother. She decided to use the money focus on her dreams of becoming a model and actress.

She met art legend Andy Warhol at Tennessee Williams’s birthday party and became one of his most famous muses.

She adopted his style and became a fashion icon after appearing in 18 of his movies.

However, Warhol’s movies weren’t exactly blockbuster hits and were more relevant in the underground community. Edie attempted to succeed in a mainstream acting career, but never got the chance.

Edie died at age 28 in 1971.

Fashion Inspired by Edie Sedgwick

Mod Moments

The ’60s was the era that brought us mod. The one element of mod you need to know? Silhouette. Edie’s thin and straight silhouette was what almost all fashion models of the era looked like. This has (fortunately) diversified since the ’60s, but that doesn’t mean the aesthetic can’t still be rocked by anyone today.

Think straight lines, short sleeves, and high necklines that elongate the torso area. Compared the styles of the ’50s—the hyper-feminine skirts and belted waistlines—the mod movement was rebellious with its more boyish silhouette and futuristic short hemlines.

This Insta post of Edie features a cute twist on mod style. As opposed to a dress, she’s wearing a shirt and skirt combo and color-blocking. It’s even more adorable and modern.

Black sleeveless turtle neck with pink mini skirt, sheer black tights, chandelier earrings, pink block heels, box handbag.

Products: Top – The Gap,  Leggings – Target, Earrings – Forever 21, Skirt – H&M, Shoes – The Gap, Bag – Modcloth

Bright colors are a must when going for a ’60s look. But bubblegum pink tights may not be to everyone’s fancy. So many times, Edie dawned a sexy and chic pair of black panty hose or tights, so swap out the bright pink with classic black for a subdued look.

But do have fun with colored tops or skirts. With such simple shapes, you can be a little extra with color or print.

It-Girl

What do all fashion it-girls have in common across all decades? The ability to make even the simplest of outfits look chic and fashion forward. Edie exuded confidence, and some of her best looks were when she just combined the basics—jeans and tank tops or shirt-dresses and tights.

Edie leveled up her I-totally-just-threw-this-on outfits by accessorizing. Statement earrings were a must. As were bold prints, like stripes, or texture. Her basics were more interesting than just plain shirts or dresses.

Black shirt dress with black chandelier earrings, seamed sheer blak tights, and black platform shoes

Products: Dress – ASOS, Earrings – Forever 21, Shoes – Steve Madden, Tights – Macy’s

Take a simple black shirt dress (or tank and jeans) and get creative with funky accessories. Platform shoes are in style again, and the strange but eye-catching shape can turn the most plain basics into something new.

You’ll also find a bunch of oversized tassel earrings at any store now since they’re having a fashion moment, so get on board and experiment with the style. 

An Artist’s Muse

It’s not hard to see why Edie was a muse to Andy Warhol. Her style had so much personality. She could be glamorous and easy-going, or edgy and feminine. Edie’s image was captivating, and in 1965 when she was “The Girl of the Year,” people couldn’t take their eyes off of her. 

Black boatneck top with black bucket bag, black knee-high boots, white skater skirt, and pink earrings

Products: Top – The Gap, Skirt – boohoo, Boots – Forever 21, Earrings – H&M

Boatneck tops are a classic retro style that have recently become super popular again. Paired with a skater or a-line skirt, they’re both elegant and playful. For true Edie edge, you’ll need to get a pair of knee-high boots and be prepared to look fabulous!

Will you be channeling Edie Sedgwick?

She’s still a fashion inspiration today! The actress, model, and muse is a reference for countless of our favorite celebs and designers, so take a chance and pick your top Edie looks to copy.

Will you be getting a bleached pixie cut? Or maybe just a nice pair of giant earrings? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on Edie Sedgwick, check out these great sources:

Biography.com Edie Sedgwick

Complex.com “25 Things You Didn’t Know About Edie Sedgwick”

The Independent “Edie Sedgwick: The life and death of the Sixties star”

Vanity Fair “Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick: A Brief, White-Hot, and Totally Doomed Romance”

Wikipedia Edie Sedgwick

95 thoughts on “The Ultimate Guide to Edie Sedgwick’s Style”

  1. Thank you for the Braid reminder. Regular Braids can be used anywhere on the head. I did a little one on the side of my head while at the computer without even looking just to see if I could still do it. Now I have to buy those tiny little elastic bands again that I used to have. or the covered glittery ones to make an extended “X” pattern on the end.

    Reply
  2. MimaK, I also have curly, thick, frizzy hair, and I live in a very humid place as well. The first thing I can suggest is to stop washing your hair! Curly hair is naturally very dry, so washing it all the time strips your hair of its natural oils. I haven’t washed my hair in a while, and its finally starting to get greasy. Just use conditioners when you shower. Next, (if you don’t this) air-dry your hair instead of blow-drying it, and if you straighten it a lot, make sure you have really good hair protection, and use lots of moisturizers. I don’t put a lot of product in my hair, but if I had to suggest one, it would be John Freida’s Frizz-Ease Flawless Finishing Creme. It’s the one that says step 5 on it. It really does wonders for my hair. Oh, and I also suggest sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase! I hope this helps!

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  3. omg i have long not 2 thick but not 2 thin hair and my aunty bought me a hair curler 4 my birthday and i tried it a few time now and it just wont work it probaly is a cheap 1 but it should still work right?
    and my hair looks good curled so when i want it curly i have to plait it the night before! oh and on tv i saw this thing call in-styler and its really cool it does ringlets, curl,straitens,and if you have really out of control hair fixes it! im thinking about getting that cos it only $14.99 and if you buy 1 you get 1 FREE! so im thinking about that but if you know anything about my curler it would be helpful cos i dont want it to go to waste!

    ps. it say on the handle ’38mm instant heat ceramic’ if that helps!

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  4. i think the messy bun is quick n easy but i manly, the night before do little braids all through my hair n then in the morning…….. TA-DA! and i have long stait hair so its a change and it looks good! well i tink it does anyway!

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  5. Love it!!! I was trying to decide how to do where my hair to my mom’s supprise party. I looked amazing! Thanks for your help : )

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  6. Those are AMAZING!!!!!!
    thanks soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much
    definatley gonna have te messy bun for school 2moz

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  7. I agree with whoever said the side ponytail, and also you can make a really small braid through which ever side of your head the side pony will be on and then put it in the side pony and undo the part of the braid under the ponytail. Makes the look even cuter.

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