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There’s a lot to love about a good rom-com, whether you’re there for the cute encounters or the painfully relatable romantic blunders. But amidst all the romantic comedy and com, feel-good movies offer us something else entirely: sartorial inspiration.

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After all, even if you don’t intend to spice up your life with an impromptu move to Europe or a romantic sprint through an airport, you box Spice up your wardrobe with styles inspired by iconic characters. For tips on bringing a bit of movie magic into your wardrobe, we tapped Roman costume designer Nicoletta Ercole, who is behind the costumes for movies like ‘Letters to Juliet’ and ‘Under the Sunshine’. Tuscany”.

How do romantic comedies influence trends?

The coastal granny aesthetic, the latest TikTok fashion trend to go viral, is largely inspired by seaside romantic comedies rather than Paris and New York runways. Showcasing both a slow-paced lifestyle and a clean, classic aesthetic, the trend borrows heavily from fashion in films like Nancy Meyers’ “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Something’s Gotta Give,” both released in 2003. .

Amid the recent resurgence of Y2K style trends, this isn’t the only time the rom-com fad of the 2000s has made a comeback. Many iconic movie looks remain in our collective consciousness long after the associated films left screens (and long after 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 put their own spin on “Clueless’s” plaid skirt ensemble, it’s safe to say that TikTokers don’t are not the only ones to find fashion inspiration in romantic comedies of the late 90s and early 2000s.

Additionally, some have heralded 2022 as a romantic comedy 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 romantic comedies?

Long before his styles set trends, Ercole’s creative process begins by going “very deep into the psychology” of a character. “For a moment, you have to become the character and think about what kind of colors you should use, what kind of fabrics, what kind of style,” she says. “So it’s very natural to hear something in your mind, in your heart, in your stomach. She then puts that inspiration on the page, sketching out styles to create in her studio. Designing love stories in particular, she says, takes a lot of heart, because “it’s important that the main talent and the main character stay in your mind forever, so you have to use something that’s very, very deep in character.”

How to Dress Like a Romantic Comedy Character

While the styles in Ercole’s films are bespoke – and she says she often gets requests to buy the pieces – you don’t need a Hollywood budget to have your own main character moments. fashionable. “Fashion and film always go together,” she says. “These are two parallel roads that sometimes intersect.”

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 and romantic colors

While romances can be searing, romantic comedy characters aren’t always adorned with bright, bold colors. Instead, Ercole prefers to dress tall ladies in softer tones. “Romantic movies are very touching and you have to use a color palette that has to be romantic too,” she says. She particularly likes white clothing for rom-com characters because it evokes a “pure feeling” and “tells you that the character is very sweet.”

While Ercole drew inspiration from designers like Carolina Herera and Romeo Gigli when creating the white dress Frances wears in “Under the Tuscan Sun,” you can create an equally clean look with affordable styles, like the pleated waist midi dress from ASOS. It’s available in women’s sizes 0-14 and features an elegant v-neck and cinched waist. For another style in softer colors, consider taking notes on the “Letters to Juliet” fashions, which include lots of airy pieces in muted colors. Try Free People’s Patchwork of My Dreams Mini, which comes in a light peach hue in sizes XS to XL for women.

You don’t have to wear a dress or a skirt to be ready for a romantic comedy. “Style is something you have inside of you,” says Ercole. “So you can look really stylish with jeans and a T-shirt too.” Channel Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give” with a classic tee like the J.Crew Slim Perfect Tee. When we tested the best white t-shirts in women’s sizes, this lightweight, opaque style stood out.

Look for inspiration in Italy

Another place where Ercole finds sartorial inspiration? Italy itself. The orange dress Frances wears at the end of “Under the Tuscan Sun” is inspired by the current sun, she says, while the green dress Patti, played by Sandra Oh, bears references to the country’s landscape.

You don’t have to be literally in the Tuscan sun to channel Italy’s beauty, though. Consider the glamorous looks of Italian designers like Giorgio Armani, which has a more budget-friendly sub-brand, Armani Exchange. The brand sells several wardrobe must-haves, 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 Mango’s Lyocell shirt dress, which comes in an equally sunny hue in women’s sizes 0-12.

Find dupes of movie drawings

While it’s rare for movie characters to wear styles that are still purchasable, you can recreate specific looks using economy modes. “If you go to H&M, you might be able to find a similar necklace or the same shirt that you can put together if you have the inspiration,” says Ercole, who recommends dyeing a white shirt or dress if you can’t find it. the right color to match the film. “If you have a little creativity, you can really recreate the same style.”

Some of the most popular rom-com inspired clothing available in store? If you’re a “Clueless” fan, you don’t need Cher Horowitz’s computerized closet to find checkered pieces with a modern twist. Try Free People’s Ashby Plaid Blazer, 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, team it with the short twill skirt from H&M, which comes in sizes XXS to XL for women in seven colors, including this famous yellow plaid.

Speaking of yellow, who could forget Kate Hudson’s silky yellow dress in “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days”? Try the UO Mathilde Satin Midi Dress for summer style you’ll enjoy well over 10 days of use. It is available in women’s sizes XS to XL in bright yellow.

While recreating most rom-com outfits takes some research, some styles are pre-made to match the movies. If you were thrilled by the “Thriller” dance scene in “13 Going on 30,” for example, you can recreate Jennifer Garner’s iconic dress for under $30. An Amazon dupe of the dress went viral on TikTok last year and currently has a 4-star rating from 266 reviews. Buy it in women’s sizes S to L.

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