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Zero time Tony Award winner • Production Assistant • Serial rewatcher
Is there anything less realistic than a movie or television character who sports a brand new outfit in every scene? No, but in the name of fashion, who cares? My brain is wired to associate a certain character with a particular outfit. Cher Horowitz belongs in the yellow plaid set and Donna Sheridan belongs in blue denim overalls. You get the picture! Over the years my wardrobe has adapted to the aesthetic of too many movies and shows to count. Consider this article a lesson in costuming and a small peek into my closet over the years. I won’t be diving too much into the extravagant clothing. Yes, the costumes in shows like Reign and movies like The Great Gatsby were to-die-for but I can’t exactly wear those dresses in my everyday life. I’m going to focus more on everyday wear.
I’m taking you guys back to 1968 for this first movie and the glorious work by Anthea Sylbert. Rosemary Woodhouse from Rosemary’s Baby is my summer wardrobe heaven. Rosemary’s style can be classified as “mod” which is a shortened term for the word “modernist”. It is a 1960s subgroup of people who were fashion-obsessed. The clothes were stylish, tailored, and typically in bright colors or large patterns. The silhouettes are some of my favorites to wear even 50 years later. Her wardrobe is also so striking considering the theme of the film.
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Okay, I won’t keep you guys hanging any longer, the next film is Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Specifically Lily James’ wardrobe as young Donna. Costume designer Michele Clapton drew inspiration from 70s icons like Stevie Nicks and Jane Birkin. A lot of Lily’s outfits in the movie are thrifted and Michele’s goal was to make a lot of the performance outfits look like they were homemade. (Fun film fact: if you look closely at Donna’s curtains in her dorm room, you can see they were cut out to make the “When I Kissed the Teacher” outfits) After I watched the movie I drastically changed my wardrobe and to this day I still hunt for pieces I think Donna Sheridan would wear.
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Right around this time of the year, my most searched google phrase is “how to dress like Sally Albright” (When Harry Met Sally). To be fair, she was the cable knit queen before Chris Evans entered the chat. Can we talk about the white button-up under the sweater? I’ll have what she’s having. Her twist on menswear is a subtle nod to Diane Keaton’s wardrobe in Annie Hall.
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Clueless is an obvious choice for this article, but I had to include it. In America, the style of the 90s was mainly grunge. That didn’t fit the aesthetic of Cher Horowitz so the costume designer, Mona May, brought in a lot of European influence that hadn’t yet hit the states. The over the knee socks revolutionized the way I wore skirts in the fall/winter months. Does anyone actually like nylons?
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Nancy Drew is a character that has been around for a long time. During that time there have been many film and television adaptations. My personal favorite is the 2007 film starring Emma Roberts as the titular character. Her outfits are always neat, well-tailored and she never makes a mistake. Her style is a complete 180 from the mid-2000s low rise jeans and chunky accessories that her classmates sport on a regular basis. I love the practicality of her penny loafers and her penchant for plaid. Never shy away from anything plaid.
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Amélie Poulain (Amélie) is described as an introverted young girl with a wicked imagination. Ironically, I can be described in the exact same way. Her simple life as a Parisian waitress is reflected in her everyday ensembles. The prints are dainty and the textures are never bulky unless you’re looking down at her shoes. Midi skirts and cardigan sweaters have always given off Amélie vibes. Finding those garments in saturated colors is where the true inspiration comes from.
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Anyone who knows me, or at least follows me on twitter knows that Lucy Boynton is a massive influence when it comes to my personal style. My favorite Lucy character is Astrid Sloan from The Politician. The style from season one to season two is very drastic because of the location change. Going from sunny California to New York is mainly different due to climate. I loved Astrid’s mini skirts, but I might be biased because I’m partial to a warmer climate. However, in season two I snagged a ton of fall/winter inspiration. Another character I draw a lot of inspiration from is McAfee Westbrook. Her character is most known for wearing pastel suits. She gives off big Harry Styles and David Bowie vibes.
Francesca’s Favorite Fit:
Do you have a movie or television show that you draw a lot of style inspiration from? If so, I’d love to hear what it is. Let me know on twitter at @TheCinemaSpot. I have so many more that I could choose from, but I tried to focus on characters whose outfits I could pull out of my closet right this very second.
Zero time Tony Award winner • Production Assistant • Serial rewatcher
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