20 Spirited Style Lessons from Elizabeth Taylor
She captured imaginations and hearts like no other. On the anniversary of her birthday, we celebrate Elizabeth Taylor's unapologetic and decidedly bold life and looks.
There is no doubt that the British-born actress, who went on to star in films like National Velvet, The Taming of the Shrew, A Place in the Sun, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and won two Oscars—both for Best Actress—left a mark on not only the film industry, but the cultural psyche of the world, that continues to reverberate today. While Elizabeth Taylor's film credits shot her to the center of stardom (and the tabloids), it was her insatiable appetite for astonishing jewels and her love of love that resulted in many rollercoaster marriages and romantic dalliances. Plus, her undeniably glamorous style and beguiling beauty enraptured millions then and still today.
Elizabeth Taylor was born in 1932 to an art dealer father and actress mother who were based in London, but her American parents moved their family back to the States in 1939, settling in Los Angeles. After a friend's suggestion that the young Elizabeth take a screen test, the burgeoning actress began booking parts, landing with her first film role in 1942.
Beautiful even as a child, Taylor was captivating, with mesmerizing violet eyes, thick lashes (thanks to her having distichia, a genetic mutation that causes double eyelashes), and dark locks. Taylor was married eight times to seven different men throughout her lifetime, kicking off her first union with hotel heir Nicky Hilton when she was just 17 years old. The most talked-about of these marriages were those to Mike Todd, which left her a widow following his untimely death in 1958; to Eddie Fisher, Todd's best friend, with whom she had an affair while he was married to her friend and actress Debbie Reynolds; and Richard Burton, the man behind the headline-making love affair that began on the set of Cleopatra and resulted in several world-famous jewels landing in her possession. All of these relationships served to further catapult Taylor from mere stardom into the realm of super-stardom.
Here, a look at some of the actress and jewelry collector's most alluring moments that still offer style lessons in the realm of sophisticated and mysterious dress. They say clothes make the woman, but in this instance, we can all agree that this world-famous, globe-trotting, fearless woman definitely made the clothes.
1948
The London-born actress who moved to Los Angeles shortly before WWII rides her bike, looking demure and fresh-faced dressed in a plaid button-up with rolled sleeves.
1950s
The larger-than-life actress, who secured her first film role in There's One Born Every Minute at the age of 10 years old, poses for a portrait with her signature beauty look on display: a saturated red lip, bold eyebrows, and just the right amount of dark eyeliner.
1950s
A full-skirted polka dot dress offset with a bold chain-link cuff is a classic choice, nodding to the style of the decade for a portrait of Taylor.
1956
Here, acting in the film Giant, in which she played Leslie Lynnton Benedict, Taylor wears a white evening gown and sheer scarf over her signature perfectly coifed dark hair.
1955
Arriving to the airport with cropped hair and dressed in a textured cape coat, vest, skirt, and black turtleneck, the actress plays the part of chic traveler perfectly.
1956
Taking a moment to relax betweens takes on the set of director George Stevens's Giant, Taylor, who was known for her say-anything personality and many marriages outside of her acting credits, looks effortlessly stylish here in a cardigan, full skirt, and rose headscarf.
1957
Here, Taylor and her third husband, producer Mike Todd, prepare to board a plane for Mexico City. Taylor and Todd had just gotten engaged, and she raises her gloveless left hand to show off her 29-carat ring while also wearing an elegant black overcoat and cream turban-like headpiece.
1960
Taylor basks in the sun in an emerald green sundress, pink headscarf, and striking gold jewelry. Taylor had a love affair with jewelry throughout her life and was the lucky owner of some of the most magnificent jewels, including the Krupp diamond, the La Peregrina pearl, and several other important emerald and sapphire pieces from Bvlgari and Cartier.
1960
Taylor is pictured here wearing a black-and-white checked set on the arm of her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher (Mike Todd's best friend, whom she married after Todd's tragic death in a plane crash). It is said that of all her husbands, Taylor was most content with Todd, and her and Fisher's love of him is what brought them together.
1961
Taylor sits with her Oscar for Best Actress for the film Butterfield 8 at the 33rd Academy Awards. Long evening gloves, diamond-and-pearl drop earrings, and her classic updo complement her butter yellow gown.
1962
Taylor, who dealt with many health issues and was said to have been blessed with nine lives, exits a Via Appia villa in Italy after leaving the hospital in Rome. A luxurious leopard coat, matching flats, and black headscarf make for the chicest hospital uniform ever.
1963
Cleopatra, the film directed by Joseph Mankiewicz that has become a cult classic (and brought Taylor and Richard Burton together), features ornate costumes and dramatic makeup that perfectly complemented Taylor's porcelain skin, dark hair, and violet eyes.
1964
Here, Welshman Richard Burton chats with Taylor at their first wedding in 1964. The actors had a passionate relationship and were married twice, with both unions eventually ending in divorce. Irene Sharaff (the costume director for Cleopatra) created Taylor's yellow babydoll dress, which she decorated with her famous Bvlgari diamond-and-emerald brooch. Lilies of the valley and hyacinths were woven into her hair.
1964
Sometimes, less is more—but only when less is a feathered headpiece, silk evening gown, and a Bvlgari diamond-and-emerald brooch that was Burton's gift to Taylor in lieu of an engagement ring. Burton once said of the actress that "the only Italian Elizabeth knows is Bvlgari."
1965
Taylor and Burton pose for a portrait on the set of The Sandpiper. Burton wears a gray-blue jacket and pants, while Taylor makes a statement in a fiery red coat and stacked rings.
1965
A more relaxed look for Taylor here encompasses a cashmere sweater and her hair down rather than swept up in her normal updo. And, in the actress's true fashion, what's a casual outfit without a dramatic chandelier earring or two?
1967
The ultimate vacation look: Here, Taylor dons a patterned, breezy kaftan while sailing with Burton on their yacht, Kalizma, off the coast of Sardinia during filming for Boom!.
1968
Here, while in Budapest celebrating her 40th birthday, Taylor shows off the 33.19-carat Harry Winston Krupp diamond that Burton purchased for her. It was reportedly her favorite piece of jewelry that she owned and was later referred to as the Taylor-Burton diamond.
1968
Taylor and Burton make quite the pair on the set of Boom!, the film directed by Joseph Losey. The actress looks the part of a Mediterranean heiress dressed in a linen jacket and wide-legged pants, airy headscarf, and diamond jewelry galore.
1973
Taylor, pictured here with Spanish actress Agatha Lys, attends the San Sebastian International Film Festival wearing a dramatic green patterned dress and shawl.
Rachael Burrow is the Style Director at VERANDA, covering the latest design and market trends, from jewelry to fashion, tabletop to furnishings, and everything in between.
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