generic 'Under the Tuscan Sun' costume designer shares the secrets to dressing like a rom-com character
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There’s plenty to love about a good rom-com, whether you’re in it for the meet-cutes or the painfully relatable romantic blunders. But amid all the rom and the com, the feel-good flicks provide us with something else entirely: outfit inspiration.
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After all, even if you’re not planning on spicing up your life with a spur of the moment move to Europe or a romantic sprint through an airport, you can spice up your closet with styles inspired by iconic characters. For tips on bringing a little movie magic into your wardrobe, we tapped Rome-based costume designer Nicoletta Ercole, who’s behind the costumes for films including “Letters to Juliet” and “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
How do rom-coms influence trends?
The coastal grandmother aesthetic, the latest TikTok fashion trend to go viral, is largely inspired by seaside-set romantic comedies rather than Paris’ and New York’s runways. Featuring both a slow-paced lifestyle and a clean, classic aesthetic, the trend borrows heavily from fashions in films like “Under the Tuscan Sun” and Nancy Meyers’ “Something's Gotta Give,” both of which were released in 2003.
Amid the recent resurgence of Y2K style trends, it’s not the only time fashion from 2000s rom-coms has made a reappearance. Plenty of iconic film looks remain in our collective consciousness long after the associated movies left screens (and long after the DVDs were ejected—it was the 2000s, after all). From Ariana Grande recreating Jennifer Garner’s memorable “13 Going On 30” dress in 2021 to the many stars who’ve put their own spin on the plaid skirt set from “Clueless,” it’s safe to say TikTokers aren’t the only ones finding fashion inspiration in late-’90s and early-aughts romantic comedies.
What’s more, some have heralded 2022 as a rom-com renaissance, thanks to an increase in upcoming movies in the genre with big budgets and A-list stars, including a new Nancy Meyers movie in the works.
How do costume designers come up with outfits for rom-coms?
Long before her styles spark trends, Ercole’s creative process begins with going “very deeply into the psychology” of a character. “For a moment you must become the character and think what kind of colors you should use, which kind of fabrics, which kind of style,” she says. “It’s very natural then to hear something in your mind, in your heart, in your stomach” She then puts that inspiration onto the page, sketching styles to create in her workshop. A lot of heart goes into designing for love stories in particular, she says, as “it's important that the principal talent and the principal character remain in your mind forever, so you have to use something that is very, very deep in the character.”
How to dress like a rom-com character
While styles in Ercole’s films are custom-made—and she says she often receives requests to purchase the pieces—you don't need a Hollywood budget to have your own fashionable, main character moments. “Fashion and cinema work together always,” she says. “They’re two parallel roads that sometimes cross each other.”
Follow these tips to tap into the often-enviable wardrobes of rom-com characters (many of whom are fashion editors, after all).
Opt for soft, romantic colors
Although the romances might be red hot, rom-com characters aren’t always decked out in bright, bold colors. Instead, Ercole prefers to outfit leading ladies in softer shades. “The romantic movies are very touching, and you have to use a palette of colors that must be romantic, too,” she says. She especially loves white clothing for rom-com characters as it evokes a “pure sentiment” and “tells you that the character is very sweet.”
While Ercole was inspired by designers like Carolina Herera and Romeo Gigli when creating the white dress Frances wears in “Under the Tuscan Sun,” you can create a similarly crisp look with affordable styles, like the Pleat Waist Midi Dress from ASOS. It comes in women’s sizes 0 to 14 and features an elegant V-neck and cinched waist. For another softer-colored style, consider taking notes on the “Letters to Juliet” fashions, which include plenty of breezy pieces in understated colors. Try the Patchwork of My Dreams Mini from Free People, which comes in a light shade of peach in women’s sizes XS to XL.
No need to wear a dress or skirt to be rom-com-ready, however. “Style is something that you have inside you,” says Ercole. “So you can be very stylish also with jeans and a T-shirt.” Channel Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give” with a classic T-shirt like the J.Crew Slim Perfect T-shirt. When we tested the best white T-shirts in women’s sizes, this lightweight, opaque style came out on top.
Look for inspiration in Italy
Another place Ercole finds outfit inspiration? Italy itself. The orange dress that Frances wears at the end of “Under the Tuscan Sun” is inspired by the actual sun, she says, while the green dress Patti, played by Sandra Oh, wears references the country’s landscape.
No need to be literally underneath the Tuscan sun to channel the beauty of Italy, however. Consider glamorous looks from Italian designers like Giorgio Armani, who has a more budget-friendly sub-brand, Armani Exchange. The label sells several wardrobe staples, including the Midi Point dress. It’s available in black and white in women’s sizes XS to XL, and can be dressed up or down. If you prefer the shirt style of Frances’ orange dress, consider the Lyocell shirt dress from Mango, which comes in a similarly sunny shade in women’s sizes 0 to 12.
Find dupes of the movie designs
While it's rare for movie characters to wear still-shoppable styles, you can recreate specific looks using budget-friendly fashions. “If you go to H&M, maybe you can find a similar necklace or the same shirt you can put together if you have the inspiration,” says Ercole, who recommends dying a white shirt or dress if you can’t find the right color to match the movie. “If you have a little bit of creativity, you can really recreate the same style.”
Some of the most popular rom-com-inspired fashions available to shop? If you’re a fan of “Clueless,” you don’t need Cher Horowitz’s computerized closet to find plaid pieces with a modern spin. Try the Ashby Plaid Blazer from Free People, which has a 4.5-star rating from 81 reviews. It comes in three tartan prints in women’s sizes XS to XL. For a similar skirt, pair it with the Short Twill Skirt at H&M, which comes in women’s XXS to XL in seven colors, including that famous yellow plaid.
Speaking of yellow, who could forget about Kate Hudson’s silky yellow dress from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”? Try the UO Mathilde Satin Midi Slip Dress for a summery style that you’ll get far more than 10 days of use out of. It’s available in women’s sizes XS to XL in bright yellow.
While recreating most rom-com outfits will take some searching, certain styles come pre-made to match movies. If you were thrilled by the “Thriller” dance scene in “13 Going on 30,” for instance, you can recreate Jennifer Garner’s iconic dress for less than $30. An Amazon dupe of the dress went viral on TikTok last year and currently has a 4-star rating out of 266 reviews. Shop it in women’s sizes S to L.
Get the UO Mathilde Satin Midi Slip Dress at Urban Outfitters for $79
Get the Soliloquy Bodycon Halter Mini Dress at Amazon for $11 to $20
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Rom-com style: Coastal grandmother, Y2K and more
