2023 is almost over: what will we take with us in the new year? So many things that, sometimes, I wonder how it is possible that they have happened in just one year. Especially for movies and TV series, it was a golden year, as one which we haven’t seen for a while (in my humble opinion).
We went back to the cinema, and we went there often.
We followed stories that won us over for different reasons (screenplay, set design, music).
We fell in love with multiple characters and for totally different reasons.
In short, we are ready for a rich and exciting award season.
But.
Before finding out who will take home the most coveted prizes for performances and technical aspects, it is time to decide, once and for all, who were the characters of films and TV series with the most memorable style, those with the most beautiful looks, those who, despite being fictional, created real trends. Just like the Spotify Wrapped, but make it fashion.
Carmy and Sidney – “The Bear 2”
We didn’t believe that we would spend the summer searching for quality white short-sleeved shirts and overalls, but here we are. Carmy and Sidney lead their chaotic culinary brigade by serving both dishes and looks with attention to the smallest detail, always with an effortless and casualty in looks that has almost a Michelin-star touch. Between simple but impeccable white t-shirts, vintage Levi’s jeans, retro jackets and clothes and the appearance of a navy Polo sweater in perhaps the most memorable episode of all (those who have seen it know what I mean), Carmy is torn between the chef he aspires to be, what everyone expects him to be, what he has been and what he is forced to be. Sidney, the true revelation and soul of the season together with Richie, faces the anxiety of the new challenge brought by the opening of the restaurant with a hopeful spirit and a series of cool looks: from Thom Browne‘s chef’s uniform (not by chance, the actress Ayo Edebiri is the face of the brand), to denim jackets, up to vintage sweaters that celebrate the glories of Chicago (the Bulls and the Institute of Art) and Birkenstock’s mules. Small details that don’t distract from the plot and add depth to the characters. It is appropriate to say “Yes chef“, even when it comes to fashion.
Lucy Gray Baird – “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”
“Happy 10th Hunger Games, and may the style always be in your favor”: we are still far from the fancy edition that sees Katniss as the protagonist and from Effie’s outfits, but to stand out in a society still very drawn by war and more “contained“, is Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute of district 12 to the first Hunger Games as a mentor of Coriolanus Snow. A character at the antipodes of Katniss and much more similar to Peeta: Lucy is a performer, she knows how to bewitch the audience with her presence and her music. Her mother’s dress in colored tulle, with which she faces the games, is precisely the statement piece of this concept: a joyful dress, like a musician, which in a short time becomes a symbol of an unjust massacre. When she returns to District 12 as a winner, Lucy continues to wear gypsy outfits, with skirts and baggy dresses (often layered) in dark shades and bohemian patterns, flowers in her hair and colorful blouses. She becomes a symbol of hope and “normality,” standing out for her personality pointed as “eccentric.” We are sure that, if she could have had Cinna as a stylist, she would have become a symbol of revolution as well. In a totally different way from Katniss, but still united by the same enemy.
All the characters – “Daisy Jones and the Six”
70s vibes, bohemian looks, Texan boots, leather jackets and round sunglasses: “Oh baby look at us now,” because thanks to Daisy Jones, the band members and all the characters around them (including Camila and Simone), this year we all dreamed of being able to travel the world to attend the concerts of Daisy Jones and the Six. Belonging to the music scene, with totally different characters but united by the desire to make history, Daisy Jones, Billy, Karen, Ghram, Warren and Eddie, with their looks, are the quintessence of the rock of the golden years, that of excesses, strong personalities and trends that were born not on social media, but on stage during a tour. Provocation, sensuality, creativity and personality are the key ingredients of every outfit we see throughout the series, and which lead us to wish we had experienced the ’70s, also and above all perhaps for the iconic style.
J. Robert Oppenheimer – “Oppenheimer”
Structural tailored suits, plain colors and rigorous elegance: Oppenheimer, and the entire team of scientists who contributed to the Manhattan Project, marked a renewed interest in men’s tailoring of the ’20s and ’40s. A protagonist with a well-groomed and almost obscure bearing that is also reflected in the suits sported, with outlined silhouettes and restrained shades, such as brown and gray. There is also no shortage of accessories such as the wide-headed hat (among all, the fedora), leather belts, Hamilton watches and briefcases. With the same obsessive attention with which he dedicates himself to physics, Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer is always impeccable, even when it comes to style.
Charlotte – “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
In the year in which the airing of the main series of “Bridgerton” was skipped, the spin-off dedicated to the young Queen Charlotte and the beginning of her love story with King George took care of keeping Regencycore on the radar of fashion lovers. So make way for corsets, wide ball gowns, elaborate dresses, brocade coats and sumptuous accessories. Charlotte comes to King George’s court with more delicate tones, in contrast to her decisive and resolute personality. Lavender, blue and pink become more intense as the story progresses, and become complementary to the shades of King George’s clothes always in accordance with the growth of their love. Deep necklines, elaborate headpieces and precious details make Charlotte queen of England and style, a status that she will maintain over time, reaching the “contemporaneity” of the facts narrated in the main strand of “Bridgerton”.
Alex Claremont-Diaz and the Prince Henry of Wales – “Red, White and Royal Blue”
An overwhelming and brave love, capable of resisting the prejudices, fears and “impositions” of the British royal family: Alex and Henry have shown us the strength of a feeling capable of standing long distances and living their relationship as they want, facing together the difficulties due to being respectively the son of the President of the United States and the Prince of England. Alex has an experimental style, ranging from the effortless suits worn during the presidential campaign to the causal looks with shirt and shorts that he shows off in his free time. He likes to experiment with colors and accessories, creating a modern and youthful vibe. Henry, on the other hand, is a traditional character, all suits of haute couture and ties, for a clean and impeccable allure and in full compliance with royal etiquette. It will be Alex who shows him a more relaxed style, which develops as the love between them grows.
Elle Argent – “Heartstopper 2”
New adventures, new horizons and new feelings are in the second season of “Heartstopper,” making it the comfort product par excellence. To stand out above all in terms of style, it is Elle: the girl embraces her love for fashion as she becomes more aware of what she wants, both for her future and her feelings for Tao. Cropped shirts, mini skirts, colorful patterned dresses with fashionable cuts, vintage clothes, sequin accessories and Dr.Martens characterize her throughout the series and emphasize her desire to get involved. A character who is becoming more and more self-confident, who loves to experiment between retro vibe and contemporary solutions with a creative soul, who will surely surprise us again during the series.
All the characters – “Barbie”
The Barbenheimer phenomenon is also about style: at the antipodes of Oppenheimer’s rigorous style, we find the world of Barbies and Kens (without forgetting the legendary Allan), all with pink or bright shades, an abundance of accessories, prints and cuts carefully put together or made by the consumer designer Jacqueline Durran. The costumes are very faithful in reproducing the clothes that, over time, accompany the iconic Barbie doll, Ken and his friends, and the film also sees the contribution of the Chanel maison, which opened the archives to find the looks that best suited the protagonist. Elegant clothes, beachwear, sportswear, sunglasses, retro hints, trendy solutions, bows and heels, but also rollerballs, cowboy outfits, plain black suits with loafers, fake furs, sequined jumpsuits and the iconic “I’m Kenough” sweatshirt make this film a fashionable statement, which almost becomes the protagonist of the film in turn.
Amy Lau – “Beef”
Aspirational, flawed and vindictive, Amy Lau was perhaps the most intriguing character of 2023: at times detestable, at times “simply” human, she represents an independent business woman, mother and wife who finds herself forced to involuntarily abandon her mask of perfection and stability in a series of events that will lead her to see her reality irreparably upset. In this path, Amy’s looks grow as the plot develops: behind the natural colors and simple cuts, all of design and high workmanship, Amy hides a great anger over which she will lose control little by little. Boxy eyeglasses, caps, blouses, oversized shirts and sophisticated clothes make this character seemingly impeccable, while being mentally unpredictable.
All the characters – “Asteroid City”
A Sci-Fi romantic comedy with pastel touches that makes us believe in the impossible, especially when it comes to aliens. Set in the ’50s in a small town in the American desert, Wes Anderson’s new film is characterized by the vibrant hues, pastel colors and perfect symmetries that characterize the director’s style. In this renewed collaboration with costume designer Milena Canonero, the protagonists’ clothes shine under the desert sun and emphasize the personality, past and desires of each narrator. Almost as if it were a choral painting, where fedoras, sleeveless dresses, colorful blouses, laboratory, military or safari outfits, sunglasses, flounced skirts, total denim and 50s shilouettes stand out. Once again, an aesthetic masterpiece that makes us dream of being part of the plot ourselves.
