Praise Jane Birkin and Her Perfect, Breezy Style
Photo: Glenn A. Baker/Redferns
By the time Jane Birkin had a Hermès bag named after her in 1984, the British actress had already become a household name. She broke out with a role in the 1969 film Slogan, where she met — and sang a rousing duet with — Serge Gainsbourg. The two became a couple, and a magnet for paparazzi. Birkin was often photographed dangling off boats in off-the-shoulder white blouses, wide-leg trousers, and delicate gold chains. She became known for her effortless (and refreshingly minimal) style — and though she hailed from England, she left a lasting imprint on French style. (Her daughters, Lou Doillon and Charlotte Gainsbourg, are, true to spirit, unfailingly on point.) From relaxed denim and crop tops to tennis shoes and perfect bangs, take a look back at some of Birkin’s best looks in our slideshow.
March 4, 2015 Where: At the Dries Van Noten show at Paris Fashion Week.
Photo: 2015 Michel Dufour
March 26, 2013 Where: At a press confereince for singing Serge Gainsbourg 'VIA JAPAN in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: 2013 Jun Sato
November 24, 2011 Where: At the light up ceremony at Parco in Tokyo, Japan.
Photo: Jun Sato/2011 Jun Sato
March 7, 2011 Where: At the Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2012 show in Paris, France.
Photo: Trago/2011 Trago
July 8, 2010 Where: At the inauguration of the Serge Gainsbourg Garden in Paris, France.
Photo: BERTRAND GUAY/2010 AFP
October 27, 2009 Where: At Around A Small Mountain premiere in London, England.
Photo: Samir Hussein/2009 Getty Images
September 28, 2009 Where: At "An Evening With Jane Birkin" in London, England.
Photo: Dave M. Benett/2009 Dave M. Benett
September 7, 2009 Where: At the 36 Vues Du Pic Saint Loup premiere in Venice, Italy.
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/2009 Getty Images
September 3, 2009 Where: At the the concert Gainsbourg Imperial in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Photo: Caroline Bittencourt/2009 Caroline Bitt...
September 3, 2009 Where: At the the concert Gainsbourg Imperial in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Photo: Caroline Bittencourt/2009 Caroline Bittencourt
May 22, 2007 Where: At the Le Scaphandre et le Papillon premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Photo: Venturelli
May 20, 2007 Where: At the Cannes Film Festival 60th Anniversary Dinner.
Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix
February 16, 2006 Where: At the Harper's Bazaar Celebrates the First Issue of British Bazaar launch.
Photo: Goffredo di Crollalanza
April 5, 2004 Where: At a state banquet in Paris, France.
Photo: Eric Ryan/2004 Eric Ryan
April 4, 2001 Photo: Tony Barson
February 10, 1997 Where: In London, England.
Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/2010 Getty Images
1980 Where: At at the Elysee Montmartre.
Photo: RDA/2010 Getty Images
April 26, 1977 Where: In London.
Photo: Archive Photos/2010 Getty Images
January 24, 1977 Where: In Avoriaz, France.
Photo: -/2005 AFP
1976 Where: Promoting the film Je t'aime... moi non plus in Munich, Germany.
Photo: Keystone/2010 Getty Images
October 5, 1975 Where: On the set of the movie Je t'aime moi non plus.
Photo: GERARD FOUET/2010 AFP
May 2, 1975 Where: At the River Seine in Paris, France.
Photo: RDA/2007 Getty Images
1975 Where: In Cannes, France.
Photo: Keystone
1974 Where: In Paris, France.
Photo: RALPH GATTI/2011 AFP
1974 Where: In the movie Comment Reussir.
Photo: Keystone-France/KEYSTONE-FRANCE
1974 Where: in Paris, France.
Photo: RALPH GATTI/2010 AFP
May 1974 Where: At the Cannes International Film Festival.
Photo: AFP/2011 AFP
July 16, 1973 Where: On the Cote d'Azur.
Photo: Keystone/2004 Getty Images
August 9, 1972 Where: In Cannes, France.
Photo: Keystone-France/KEYSTONE-FRANCE
1972 Where: In Nice, France.
Photo: Keystone-France/KEYSTONE-FRANCE
August 12, 1971 Where: With daughter Charlotte Lucy.
Photo: Leonard Burt
September 3, 1970 Where: With Serge Gainsbourg.
Photo: RDA/2010 Getty Images
July 3, 1970 Where: At the Children's Dancing Matinee.
Photo: Frank Barratt/2007 Getty Images
June 25, 1970 Where: In Paris, France.
Photo: Joseph McKeown
December 6, 1969 Where: At the exhibtion "The Most Beautiful Jewelry in the World".
Photo: Keystone-France/KEYSTONE-...
December 6, 1969 Where: At the exhibtion "The Most Beautiful Jewelry in the World".
Photo: Keystone-France/KEYSTONE-FRANCE
May 19, 1969 Where: At the Cannes Film Festival.
Photo: RDA/2010 Getty Images
Circa 1968 Where: With Serge Gainsbourg.
Photo: NOA/NOA/Roger Viollet
Circa 1968 Photo: Bill Ray/Time & Life Pictures
Circa 1960 Photo: GAB Archive
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