It’s that time of year again . . . Everyone’s buying frantically, running around looking for the perfect gift, but times are especially tough right now, no matter who you are or where you live in this lovely world of ours. And whatever you celebrate during December — shoot, even if you don’t celebrate anything at all, toast yourself for living through 2009! — finding an amazing gift at a great price makes you feel extra good, doesn’t it? Everyone loves Audrey Hepburn, and if they don’t, it’s only because they haven’t met her yet. If you’re searching for the perfect gift for someone but don’t have a lot of funds right now, consider these fabulous items for under 20 U.S. dollars (hey, that’s not much in any market). The established Audrey fan will be pleased. If your recipient doesn’t know about her, then you have the added pleasure of creating a new fan.

1. Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers – written by Audrey’s son Sean, it’s a dear and intimate look into the real Audrey. With loads of rare pictures and even a few recipes, it’s an amazing book that anyone would be happy to have. $13.57

2. Audrey Hepburn (Barry Paris) – the definitive biography on Audrey written by an outsider. Brilliant, with an amazing amount of detail, it’s a loving but not syrupy look at the actress and humanitarian. $14.49

3. Roman Holiday – The Centennial Collection (Mastered in High Definition) – world, meet Audrey. You’ll never be the same. $15.99

4. Breakfast At Tiffany’s – Paramount Centennial Collection (Mastered in High Definition) – even if they’ve never seen the film, this is what Audrey is known for. Show them why everyone loves Audrey’s Holly Golightly and give them the added pleasure of watching her sing “Moon River” in that divine way no one has ever been able to match. $15.99

5. How to Be Lovely: The Audrey Hepburn Way of Life – Perfect for a new fan or a young lady you’d like to see grow up proper, this little book is jammed full of tips on life, love, and everything in between given by Audrey herself over the years. The quotes are lovely and it’s a sure way to bring a smile to someone’s face. $12.21

6. Funny Face – Paramount Centennial Collection – Know any fashionistas? It doesn’t matter how modern and cutting edge he/she is, it is scientifically impossible to not swoon over the combination of Givenchy couture and Audrey Hepburn sporting them all over Paris. Plus, she sings and dances with the legendary Fred Astaire! $16.99

7. Charmed by Audrey: Life on the Set of Sabrina – perfect for the more advanced fan who may already own everything listed above, this new book is crammed absolutely full of never before seen pictures of Audrey on the set of Sabrina. Thought to have been lost for nearly 50 years, these photos were snapped before Roman Holiday became huge and Audrey won the Oscar, when she was still relatively unknown but on the brink of becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Also full of sweet quotes from the lady herself. $12.89

8. The Nun’s Story – a lesser known, more serious film, but if you’d like to show someone once and for all that Audrey Hepburn wasn’t just another pretty face, this is all you need. An absolutely brilliant, nuanced performance that really should have won her a second Oscar. $5.79

9. Charade – Audrey Hepburn! Cary Grant! Givenchy! Paris! What, you want more? Fine, how about a brilliant plot as well, and it’s all directed by Stanley Donen. The Criterion edition is fantastic but excessively expensive, so stick with this one. $7.99

10. Audrey Hepburn 2010 FACES Square Wall (Wall Calendar) (Multilingual Edition) -the gift that really does keep giving, 365 days of Audrey. It’s everything my mother said I should be: “useful and decorative.” $13.49

I just got a little catalogue in the mail from UNICEF, and it’s encouraging their members to buy one of their Inspired Gifts for your mum this Mother’s Day (May 11th). I think it’s actually a very sweet idea, seeing that the holiday is just a made up Hallmark holiday anyway, and could you give the woman who gave you life* anything better than the chance to touch other childrens lives? The gifts in the catalogue range from an insanely affordable treated mosquito net to save children from insects and disease ($15), to a motorcycle used to speed medicine to unreachable people ($1,980)! Don’t worry, there’s plenty in between, I just wanted to highlight the price range to show that practically anyone can afford these gifts. Buy it in your mum’s name and she has just saved a life. Isn’t that fantastic? I think Audrey would have loved to have gotten that sort of gift.

If you’re interested in doing this as a gift for someone, or because you’re flush with a tax return and would like to do something good with your extra cash, you can browse the shop yourself here, or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

*or who raised you and made you the person you are, which is just as important!

To make up for my extended absences, here’s a little something for the ladies: an Audrey Hepburn 50s makeup guide, complete with an elfin Audrey look-alike model! Enjoy, and be sure to try it out on yourself sometime soon. Thick black eyeliner’s back in, ya know.

What great things are mentioned on this list? Why, the Audreybags, of course! Handmade in the classic Italian style, the handbags are exclusive, posh, and do something that would make Audrey herself proud: help children in need around the world.

Another great gift for a special lady in your life would be a sterling silver snowflake charm from Tiffany’s, with 25% of the profits going to UNICEF. Ooh, another great Audrey-themed gift! And that little blue box will be sure to stop some hearts.

There’s lots more on the list, including handmade goods from Rwanda, luscious bath & body sets, and more jewelry, so take a look around and see if you can’t find the perfect gift that will not only make your recipient happy, but make many people you’ve never met happier and healthier.

If you want to go all out and be ultra-glam Audrey Hepburn, you might want to try this look from Roman Holiday. Using Vintage Vogue V2239 (below), you can almost exactly recreate Princess Ann’s ballgown. I actually bought this pattern for just that purpose, and though I haven’t used it yet, all I’m going to do is eliminate the sash and attach a small bit of fabric crosswise on the bodice.

If you are going for a Sabrina look, there are two patterns worth looking at.
1) Vogue Easy Options V8020, is an oversimplified version of the cocktail dress shown to the left. It has a flared, pleated skirt and would look very cute in black (see picture below, left).
2) Retro Butterick ’57 B4513, is a much closer copy of the Sabrina dress and my personal favourite. I’ve been wanting to make a copy of that dress for years, and this pattern is the closest copy I’ve ever found! See for yourself (below, right).

If you’re going for a more dainty, Love in the Afternoon type look, there are a few options for you as well.
1) Vintage Vogue V2960 (below, left) has a deep, scooped neck, fitted bodice, and flared skirt that’s quintessential 50s.
2) Vintage Vogue V2267 (below, center) is actually a pattern I own and bought just to be Audrey as Ariane in Love for Halloween one year. It’s a very comfy dress, easy to make, with a light tulle underskirt to give the skirt more body without being cumbersome. And it has pockets!
3) Retro Butterick ’52 B5032 (below, right) is more of an all-purpose 50s pattern, but still works because it’s still in Audrey’s line of style. Comes in a more fitted skirt or a wide, flared skirt.

And of course there’s the Holly Golightly/Breakfast at Tiffany’s patterns! There’s a lot, so I’m going to break it down to make it as easy as possible for you. If you’re going for a very simple Holly dress, like a little black dress, then try these patterns out. Pretty much all of these would look good in any neutral colour or a soft brown tweed, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
1) Vogue Easy Options V2218 (below, left) is actually a set of two-piece dress suits, but the one pictured fits together so well it’s worth noting. A lot easier to sew, it’s good for beginners and you can mix and match with your current wardrobe.
2) Very Easy Vogue 8282 (below, center left)a very nice sheath dress with matching simple jacket. Just forget about the lace appliqués and it’s perfect.
3) Very Easy Vogue V8146 (below, center right) is very similar to the one just before, bit with a slightly more elaborate coat. Still a very easy to make sheath dress, if that’s all you need from the pattern.
4) Burda Dress 3477 (below, right) is a sheath dress very similar to the one Audrey actually wears (right). If you were to add a tie sash to the waist and some fringe along the bottom, you’d have the dress exactly.

If you want to do more of a Holly Golightly suit, or know that it’ll be pretty cold wherever you are and want a nice Audrey-style coat to go with your outfit, you may want to try Vogue Wardrobe V2988. It has a few dress options or separates, and the coat is fantastic (below). If you want a more generic little black dress that still very Holly Golightly, but you don’t really care how accurate it is, here are a couple of options for you.
1) Simplicity New Look 6723 (below, left). Still very recognizable and very similar to some readymade dresses I recommended in the More Holly Golightly/Audrey Hepburn Costume Tips post. (Note: since I couldn’t directly link to this pattern, you’ll have to scroll about halfway down the page I could link to and click on the picture to see more information.)
2) Butterick Chetta B 3863 out of print (below, right). While this pattern is out of print, you can still buy it through Butterick’s website. This dress is a very simple set with either a top and skirt or a one-piece dress.

And what would a Holly Golightly dress be without that giant, flying saucer of a hat? I searched through a lot of hat patterns before deciding that Butterick’s B4472 (below) would be the best bet for you. It looks to be a lot easier than any of Vogue’s patterns, especially the vintage ones, and by just switching the crown of hat A onto the brim of hat C, you have an exact replica of that iconic hat. Just throw on an ivory bit of fabric and you are Holly Golightly! So there’s everything you need for Audrey’s characters. If you’d like to dress more like Audrey herself did in everyday life, I’ve thought of that, too. Read on!

A trés chic dress suit is dressy, classy, and versatile. Very Easy Vogue V8319 (below) has a gorgeous pattern with a fitted sheath dress and classy, wide-yoked coat. It could also double as a Jackie O. costume in a pinch.
Skinny pants. I found two very good patterns for skinny pants, surprisingly. They were actually called cigarette pants (or trousers) in the day, and it does sound a bit classier and less spiteful than skinny, doesn’t it? Anyway, these would be good for either a Funny Face beatnik type costume, or with a nice top it could be a flirty, casual 50s outfit.
1) Vogue V8330 (below, left) is a more modern pattern, but I like that it has three different lengths so you could have actual long pants, capris, or the cigarette trouser length depending on your preferences. This pattern must be made with a stretchy fabric!
2) McCall’s M5273 (below, right) is more of a one-length pattern, but it’s a little more classic in design with the flat front for a cleaner line.

A perfect match for those ciggie pants or capris? How about a dress shirt tied at the waist, as Audrey was wont to do. If you have a trim waist like she did, this is your chance to show it off — modestly, of course. Try Butterick B6768 (below), though please note that it’s out of print and only available through their website. A flirty little cocktail dress in any colour of your liking. Don’t think Audrey limited herself to black! Feel free to experiment with Butterick B6582 (below). And, not to taunt you or anything, but if you ever come across this Holy Grail of Audrey Hepburn patterns, snatch it up! This Vogue pattern set came out in 2000 and wasn’t out for very long, and it’s extremely hard to find now. I’m guessing it didn’t last long because it very closely copies Givenchy’s designs for Breakfast at Tiffany’s — a little too closely, if you catch my drift. Check eBay once in a while for Vogue Wardrobe 2396 and you may luck out, though don’t be surprised if you get caught in a bidding war.
So there is everything … for now. If there’s anything that you think I missed or if you have questions about anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be more than happy to help.

Helpful hint: if you’re going to buy a Vogue pattern, do it through their website! Unless they’re out of print, they will always be on sale for up to 50% off.

There’s also another book on humanitarian work that I’ve been thinking over for a while, but this one applies more to you and me directly. It’s called Volunteer: A Traveler’s Guide to Making a Difference Around the World, and it’s a more down-to-earth and more easily attainable way to help people around the world. Most people want to travel and explore the world, and this book can help you turn an ordinary sightseeing trip into a meaningful and useful journey to people in need and spiritual growth. While the average person like you and me would love to do what the celebrities listed above do, traveling the world and raising awareness and helping people become self-sufficient, it’s nearly impossible for most of us to get that sort of a job through UNICEF or the UN — at least, not without a highly specialized degree and years of experience already under your belt. Thankfully, though, we have the Internet and tons of websites dedicated to people just like us who just want to help, no questions asked. Just do a search for “volunteer” and you’re hit with hundreds of websites for anything from local volunteering to translating. If you know where you’d like to go, though, or know that you would like to help the elderly, or children, or women, or some other specific group of people, then VolunteerAbroad.com might be the right choice for you. You can search by continent, country, region, and even by what sort of services you have to offer, and they will show you whatever is available at the time, and how long it will last. You can even specify in your search how long you’d like to volunteer, from a week to two years! So if you want to get out there and do some good face to face, it is possible for you.

Experiment with all four! I’m sure one of these will end up being your new favourite style.

1. Opera gloves. How could you forget opera gloves? If you’d really like to look classy, try to find some above the elbow length gloves, which make for a more formal, elegant look. I’ve found some beautiful satin gloves in a vast array of colours, so you can do black for Holly Golightly or white/cream for a Princess Ann or Eliza Doolittle look.

2. Ballet flats. You can pair pretty much everything with ballet flats and automatically be 50% cuter. Works well with any little black dress and is a more comfortable alternative to heels, especially if you’re going to be on your feet all night. Paired with some capris or skinny pants, it looks more stylish and put together than sneakers but not as fancy as heels would. They were Audrey’s shoe of choice throughout her life!

3. Little black dresses. Earlier I had left you on your own by telling you to hit the pavement and shop around at local boutiques. Wasn’t very helpful, was it? After lots of scouring, I’ve found a few little black dresses that happen to be affordable and the perfect Audrey style. You can either do a shorter, knee-length dress for a more casual affair, or I’ve found a longer formal gown if you really wanted to go all out and do the beginning credits Holly Golightly with pearls, updo and a cup of coffee (which I am completely leaving up to you to find).

4. Pearls. I honestly don’t know if anyone makes an exact replica of Audrey’s multi-strand pearl necklace with the rhinestone pendant, but what you can do is nab a strand of long pearls and a rhinestone brooch. Wind the pearls around a couple of time to make a thick multi-strand set like Holly’s, pin the pendant front and center and voila! Instant Holly Golightly.

5. Cigarette holder. I don’t know about you, but I know quite a few people (myself included) that have been looking for a cigarette holder for ages! Today I’ve found two that would suit Audrey Hepburn equally well. The first is an extra long gold ciggie holder, just like the one she waves around at her out of control party in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The second is a smaller, black holder, and may be a bit easier to handle in crowded situations. It’s also the sort of ciggie holder she used in real life.

*Bonus* To go along with your fabulous cigarette holder, you can also have fake cigarettes that smoke like the real thing!

6. Skinny black pants and a turtleneck. Who says you have to be Holly Golightly to be Audrey Hepburn? Thanks to the exposure of the Gap commercials last year, pretty much everyone knows that an all black beatnik outfit with white socks and black loafers equals a funky dancing Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton. This costume is so versatile and comfortable it will quickly become a wardrobe staple.

You can find more pictures of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly here, and pictures of Audrey as Jo Stockton in Funny Face here.

You can also find all of the accessories listed above, plus the items mentioned in the first costume post, here.
Edit: Updated 7/9/10 to fix broken or obsolete links and to update the products available to you. Everything is still available through FabAudrey’s shop.