Stylish films to inspire your summer wardrobe boost, from Pretty Woman to The Notebook
From ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’ to ‘A Bigger Splash’, consider this your sunshine style cheat sheet
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As we dive into the depths of the summer months and adapt to balmier climes, it can be all too easy to hit a sartorial plateau.
At this point, you’ve worn all of your sun dresses, donned every wafty linen shirt, have overdosed on midi skirts and are wondering why on earth you have nothing left to wear.
Inspiration is lagging – hence why we’ve all resorted to wearing the same polka dot dress – but don’t lose hope yet; your summer wardrobe’s renaissance is just a few Netflix streams away.
Look to our selection of sun-soaked cinematic classics and you’ll find an ensemble to suit every mood.
Perhaps you have a penchant for the retro glamour of Julia Roberts’ race day outfit in Pretty Woman, or maybe you’re after some 1970s nostalgia and are craving ring T-shirts and flares as seen in Dazed and Confused.
Whatever your fashion tastes, there’s plenty of looks to pine after in the following five films. Read on and bask in the glow of your revitalised summer wardrobe.
A Bigger Splash
Luca Guadagnino’s sensual drama about a rock star (Tilda Swinton) reuniting with her old flame (Ralph Fiennes) on a remote Sicilian island is an aesthetic masterpiece. The film is a haze of vivid blues and sultry scarlets and pays homage to classic feminine silhouettes with Swinton’s beguiling loose linen looks.
Elsewhere, you have Dakota Johnson, whose Lolita-inspired Penelope trades in insouciant seduction via lace crop tops, mesh underwear sets and red lipstick.
Every ensemble is carefully crafted to mirror the film’s languid Mediterranean setting, as imagined by former Dior creative director Raf Simons, who collaborated with costume designer Giulia Piersanti for the film.
“The outfits ooze washed out glamour,” says Emily Gordon-Smith, director of consumer product at trends intelligence company, Stylus. Bleached-out linens, crumpled shirts and neutral basics are among the standout trends, she adds, advising fans to look to high street heroes such as Uniqlo and Arket to recreate the look this summer.
The Talented Mr Ripley
Anthony Minghella’s revered psychological thriller is one of the most frequently referenced films in conversations regarding summer style inspiration – and it’s not hard to see why. The costumes reflect the carefree dolce vita mood of the film’s Italian setting. Almost everything worn by Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow) is lightweight in fabric and relaxed in fit, serving up a feminine reimagining of 1950s riviera style. Linen shirts are left unbuttoned and tied at the waist, skirts are full and floral, while swimwear is strappy and sprightly.
“The film takes preppy looks in a sophisticated direction by focusing on loose summer tailoring, luxurious but light knits, classic resort shirts and sharp weekend sportswear items such as the golf jacket,” explains Hannah Craggs, youth editor at global trends company, WGSN.
Those seeking to emulate the film’s aesthetic this season should look to brands such as Ganni, Rixo and Realisation Par, says Craggs.
Fashion stylist Anna Berkeley suggests emulating the look by putting your own twist on the basket bag trend that crops up throughout the film. “Buy one from a local market and then add your own charms or tie a scarf to it,” she tells The Independent.
The Notebook
This Nicholas Sparks adaptation might be better-known for its tear-inducing storyline, but The Notebook offers up a panoply of girlish retro fashion. This is thanks to protagonist Allie (Rachel McAdams) Hamilton, who frolics around the ocean in high-waisted bikinis, dances in brightly coloured tea dresses and almost always sports a red lip.
“The Notebook’s look is ultra feminine, prim and polished,” says Craggs, explaining how Allie’s looks frequently draw attention to her waist and illustrate a return to enhancing the female silhouette, which was a key trend in the 1940s.
“Fitted dresses and suits are sexy and subversive,” says Craggs. ”Waist focus is achieved via detailed bodices cut with extended shoulders, either drawing in at the waist by bespoke detailing or cinched with wide belts.”
As for where to find similarly flattering pieces on the high street today, Gordon-Smith suggests looking to brands such as Boden, LK Bennett and Cath Kidston.
Dazed and Confused
Richard Linklater’s cult classic coming-of-age film epitomises everything we love about 1970s fashion.
The jeans are high-waisted and seriously flared, the jackets are boxy and adorned with a smattering of gaudy florals, and tops are either broderie anglaise and off-the-shoulder, or striped and multi-coloured.
The major trends in the film that can be easily worn today are the “campus classics”, says Craggs, which she defines as A-line skirts, ringer T-shirts and shrunken V-neck jumpers.
Gordon-Smith adds that the film’s celebration of “American stoner style” is perfect for summer, with countless festival-ready ensembles – we can easily picture Milla Jovovich’s suede fringe waistcoat and purple crop top doing the rounds at Glastonbury or Wilderness.
Pretty Woman
When you utter the words “Pretty Woman” and “fashion” in the same sentence, there is only one dress that comes to mind. But Julia Roberts’ cutout mini dress by Hunza is not exactly user-friendly.
The film earns its style credentials elsewhere, mostly in its famous “day at the races” scene, when Roberts dons a chocolate brown polka dot dress paired with a matching boater hat and cream block heeled pumps.
“This look has trickled down to the high street in a significant way,” notes Gordon-Smith, “with Primark and John Lewis all producing iterations of that iconic Julia Roberts spotty dress”.
Craggs adds that shoppers looking to splash out on their polka dotted Pretty Woman-inspired ensemble should look to brands such as Self-Portrait and Red Valentino.
“Accessories should stay simple and quiet,” she adds, pointing to Roberts’ understated drop pearl earrings.
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