Stealing style from my ultimate summer movies

I really enjoyed putting this one together

Marisa Tomei (and Robert Downey Jr) in 'Only You'

‘Only You’ isn’t actually included in this list but I have taken the paywall off my article from last summer, where I attempted to envisage how Marisa Tomei’s character, Faith, would dress now - you can read it here.

I really think the costume department on films is a superb talent. There are so many where I think about the styling for years after. But while I am in awe of boundary pushing costume design - I am also just as interested in the more everyday wardrobes in movies.

Subtle yet memorable cinematic wardrobes is, in my opinion, way harder to pull off. I picked some of my absolute favourite movie wardrobes to dissect and emulate - and I think these three looks kind of sum up my style: classic, androgynous and a bit of whimsy.

Greta Lee in Past Lives

Greta’s character, Nora, is how I imagine I dress everyday. And then I get too distracted by maxi skirts, lace up shoes and frilly collars. Cool minimalism - she’s a core Arket girl (if she shopped on the UK High Street).

* denotes an affiliate link

1. Linen shirt: £71, Everlane*

2. Suede bowling bag: £199, Arket*

3. Jersey shift dress: £135, Toast*

4. Sterling silver recycled metal chain: £85, Catch Rhys

5. Linen oversized shirt: £85, Gap

6. Alpaca wool mix cardigan: £165, American Vintage*

7. Denim shorts: £57, Arket*

8. High tops: £65, Converse*

9. Cotton tee: £25, Arket*

10. Organic cotton shacket: £60, Rapanui

Undoubtedly, it’s the way she wears it (and Greta Lee is effortlessly stylish in real life, too): the shirt is off centre, the cardigan would be thrown over a dress and always dressed down with boots or Converse (Chuck Taylors will always be my trainer of choice if really pushed). But what I truly love about it is that, in its essence, it’s the perfect transeasonal wardrobe.

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Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2

Growing up in the 80s/90s, my mum would take us to the local video store (Apollo video, we were sadly never Blockbuster regulars), my sister and I would only ever pick two films: ‘Harry & The Hendersons’ or ‘Grease 2’. Both exceptional but Grease 2 is particularly sealed in my childhood nostalgia as being iconic.

There are so many reasons I love this film:

The soundtrack (significantly better than the original - don’t fight me). The lyrics are just incredible:

“Who’s that guy, on that motorcycle?

What would they say if they knew it was Michael?”

Lorna Luft.

Rex Manning from Empire Records (another one of my Top 10 movies).

But most of all, it’s Stephanie Zinone showing us how to wear pedal pushers.

Sandra Dee was always a little twee for me, I was always drawn the no f**ks attitude of Stephanie. The rolled up sleeves of her sweater, the popped collar of her gas station attendance uniform - of course, the chiselled cheekbone and poreless skin helped - but she could pull off that pink jacket like nobody could!

In today’s world, I see her in baggy bermuda shorts with a rolled sleeved, battered sweatshirt and pumps.

Also take note: no bag (which I see as a Feminist act, these days)

1. 18ct gold-plated brass necklace: £149, Lucy Williams x Missoma*

2. Cotton sweatshirt: £110, American Vintage*

3. Acrylic, alpaca and polyamide vest: £150, American Vintage*

4. Denim bermuda shorts: £59, AND/OR at John Lewis*

5. Cotton broderie shirt: £115, Aligne

6. Sunglasses: £27, And Other Stories*

7. Supercheek blush in ‘Universal Pink': £12 (with membership), Beauty Pie

8. Woven ballerinas: £45, Schuh*

9. ‘Your Silence Will Not Protect You: Essays and Poems’ by Audre Lorde, £13.29, Bookshop.org

10. Organic and recycled cotton jumpsuit: £160, Seventy + Mochi

I didn’t actually *love* this outfit but appreciate a woman who can do both!

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Tilda Swinton in A Bigger Splash

I was invited to a Press screening of this film when it came out, and one thing about me - I will rarely turn down the opportunity to see a film in the cinema, good or bad. I took Chris as my Plus 1 and neither of us had any expectations whatsoever, I had seen ‘I Am Love’ but wasn’t enamoured by it so the amount we adored this film came as a total surprise. It’s loosely based on the French film ‘La Piscine’ (which, admittedly, I have never seen, so apologies to French cinema fanatics). But the Raf Simmons for Dior wardrobe, the fact that Marianne (Tilda’s character) barely speaks, Ralph Fiennes dancing to ‘Emotional Rescue’ (which is now on my forever playlist), Lily McMenamy (Kristen’s daughter), the Sicilian backdrop and Hockney inspired colours - I left the cinema mesmerised. I feel more and more connected to this wardrobe the older I get - the natural fabrics, the luxury details (open back shirts, exquisite ties) paired with local market-bought baskets and paired-back accessories - and interestingly, barely any show-stealing jewellery.

1. Leather sandals: £98, Boden*

2. Cotton shirt dress: £97, Arket*

3. Linen crossover top: £99.95, Massimo Dutti*

4. Textured swimsuit: £29.50, Marks & Spencer (online orders paused currently, in store only)

5. Complexion stick: £34, Merit*

6. Linen jumpsuit: £135, Cos*

7. Leather belt: £57, Arket*

8. Sunglasses: £19.99, Mango*

9. Raffia hat: £89, J Crew

10. Cotton poplin maxi skirt: £60, Gap

11. Raffia bag: £135, Cos*

12. Cotton voile headscarf: £35, If Only If

And finally, some links I wanted to share:

Anita Bhagwanda’s article on burnout

Philippa Perry’s post on being good enough

I finally watched Nickel Boys, the cinematography is astoundingly good

We just bought this Hay ovenproof dish for a friend’s 40th - it’s weighty, can also be used as a gorgeous serving bowl and the shade of blue is divine.

All proceeds from this King & McGraw x Bella Freud framed limited edition print go towards War Child (I donated the total price of this print directly to the charity).

If you make a donation to Warchild - just send me the screenshot (you can reply to this newsletter email) and your next all access month of The R.U.E is on me.

This post surprisngly took me seven hours to put together, you can decide if it was worth it.

On next week’s newsletter I will delve into the renovations more because we finally have planning approval!

Also: v happy to chat fave movie wardrobes in the comments!