On Wednesday morning, the Twittersphere exploded with the sad news that Maya Angelou had died after a period of failing health at age 86. There's no doubt that Angelou was a driving force in pop culture, fighting for the rights of women and African-Americans through her powerful writing. Her impressively positive view on life, despite experiencing major struggle and trauma, will continue to inspire for years to come.
In addition to being an award-winning novelist, the first black woman to have a screenplay produced as a film, the first woman to read a poem at a presidential inauguration, and being featured on a stamp in Ghana, Angelou was also a player in the fashion world. You may recall the charming Cole Haan ads from 2013 that featured her in a black dress, classic pearls, and a pair of saucy, leopard print kitten heels that perfectly matched her infectious smile. Her style was never flashy, and always referenced her time growing up in the 1930s. From stunning pearls to patterned headscarfs and printed dresses, Angelou had an understated taste that complimented her subtle sense of humor without ever making the clothes the main attraction.
In honor of Angelou's amazing life and influence, here are some of her most iconic style staples.
