Jane Birkin Gave Women Over 40 Permission to Be Themselves

Following the death of Jane Birkin on Sunday at age 76, Instagram was flooded with photos of the Brit-in-Paris singer in her photogenic 1960s and 1970s youth. She was a style icon everyone could agree on, be they designers such as Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello and Simon Porte Jacquemus to French President Emmanuel Macron. In numerous tributes, we were reminded of her risqué, girlish fashion moments: the lacy dress worn backward, the completely sheer gowns, the denim mini shorts and the straw basket she used as a handbag.