Written April 2018
Along with brilliant acting and gripping storylines, the films everyone’s talking about right now provide a wonderful supply of fashion inspiration. Here is how to bring the silver screen into your style:
1. Black Panther
Not only was Black Panther called “the most-tweeted about movie ever”, but Business Insider named it the 10th highest grossing film of all time. These accolades are particularly well deserved considering the importance of the movie; it is the first time Marvel has a black superhero at the forefront of a story.
The film watches T’Challa (Black Panther) face challenges upon claiming the throne as king of the fictional nation of Wakanda, Africa. This means this film’s closet is all about embodying the words bold and brave:
Unless you want to walk around dressed like a panther with shiny claws, to channel the Black Panther think leather pieces and metal accents. Whether you pick out a leather jacket, biker boots or leather trousers, keep it edgy and monochrome. And be sure to add silver accessories.
To translate T’Challa’s little sister Shuri’s style into everyday wear, swap items such as her neck guard for a lilac choker – after all, it is the hot colour right now. Then for her arm cuffs, exchange them for fine gold bracelets and trade her top for a sky blue tank. For trousers, put on your favourite blue jeans and tie a tan shirt around the waistband.
2. Love, Simon
This rom-com is the first major feature film to focus on a gay couple, and the importance of this step-forward for the movie-sphere has not gone unnoticed. Casual film-goers and celebrities alike have been encouraging people to see Love, Simon. Kristen Bell, Neil Patrick Harris, and Matt Bomer even bought out screenings for the public.
The film, based on the book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, follows teenager Simon Spier in his journey to coming out. As Simon and his friends are high-schoolers, their casual and youthful fashion lends itself to being easily replicable:
Simon’s style is comfy and laid-back. He is usually caught in a blue, stonewash denim trucker jacket layered on top of a plain hoody (usually black or grey), paired with loose-fitting black jeans. If you are recreating this look, do not be afraid to experiment with more colourful hoodies as blue denim jackets are extremely versatile.
Simon’s best friend Leah's style carries subtle undertones of 90s grunge; she will always be found wearing chokers, denim jackets, or dungarees. But interestingly these pieces are always contrasted with soft accents. Her denim jacket is embroidered with rainbows and flowers, and her chokers are layered with dainty, gold necklaces. So to get Leah’s look, it is all about achieving this balance. Start by matching a floral blouse with a velvet choker – just don’t forget her signature headband.
3. Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig has been heavily praised for her directing debut in Lady Bird, becoming the fifth woman in history to be nominated for Best Director at the Oscars. Written by Greta, the film beautifully captures the trials and tribulations of headstrong teenager Christine McPherson’s (aka Lady Bird) relationship with her equally as strong-willed mother.
Set in Sacramento during the noughties, the opening scene of the film hears Christine complain that; “The only thing exciting about 2002 is that it’s a palindrome.” But lucky for us, this did not mean boring outfits:
Christine style consistently has a vintage feel to it, as if to suggest her wardrobe was curated solely through thrift shopping. The above outfit is reminiscent of the 90s with it’s Cher Horowitz feel thanks to the A-line check, pinafore dress. To channel 90s nostalgia yourself, style a plaid pinafore over a basic tee, then add brown leather brogues. Finish the outfit off with the noughties micro-bag trend, selecting a boxy, black one like Christine’s.
For this next look, Christine opted for a pair of 60s style bell-bottom jeans, paired with a military blazer and high-neck striped t-shirt. Copy this look directly by heading down to a vintage market and searching for replicas, or update it by selecting a Prince of Wales check blazer, Breton stripe top, and slim fit mom jeans.
One of Christine’s boyfriends in the film is Danny O’Neill. In the photo above Danny is seen wearing a sports-inspired sweater with zip detailing. This garment is a great source of sartorial inspiration considering the current athleisure trend. He matches the jumper with cargo pants, but if these are too dad-style for you, swap them for raw-hem, blue jeans for a fresher take.
4. Call Me By Your Name
The name on everyone’s lips lately has been Timothée Chalamet. Just recently, the 22-year-old became the youngest Best Actor Oscar nominee in 80 years. He received the nomination for playing 17-year-old Elio Perlman in the film adaptation of the coming-of-age tale Call Me By Your Name. Starring in two Academy-Award nominated films (Call Me By Your Name and Lady Bird), everyone has their eyes on Timothée, awaiting his next on-screen move.
As Call Me By Your Name is set in Northern Italy during the summer of 1983, the characters attires are in tune with their surroundings:
As with any teenager on holiday, Elio’s outfits are effortless. He’s often found in black Wayfarer Ray-Bans, a simple t-shirt – usually striped or a Lacoste polo – and swimming trunks or denim shorts. One of his best looks is when he matches a Talking Head’s top with a psychedelic print inspired pair of trunks. To re-create it, pair your favourite band shirt with patterned shorts or keep things subtle with denim shorts.
Elio is also partial to a button-up shirt which he dresses down with 80s style mom jeans and high-top white Converse. Opt for stripes, Hawaiian prints or artsy patterns of face drawings when picking out your Elio shirt. But if you need to dress for colder days, pair a black turtleneck underneath the shirt, as demonstrated by Elio in the final scene of the movie.
Elio’s love interest, American graduate student Oliver, has a style that is synonymous with the maturity of his character. His wardrobe staple is his oversized linen shirts, nicknamed “billowy” in the novel. He pairs them with short-shorts – of which he has in an array of colours – or cargo shorts. For this look, go up a couple sizes when buying a shirt and tuck it into white, paper bag shorts to create a contemporary twist.
And though there is a lot of buzz around these films listed, the critical acclaim they have received just goes to show everyone should believe the hype:
So next time you head out clothes shopping think: what would they do in the movies?
Feature image: Royalty free from Google Images
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