What’s a great television show without a lead character having a great wardrobe to boot? Nothing, if you ask us. The clever use of clothing can tell us so much about the character, their aspirations and intentions and, ultimately, the journey they’re on.
It transcends even more when you’re a fashion editor, understanding the coded meaning behind the choice of not only the styles themselves, but the labels behind them too. A £50 sweater tells a different story to a £500 sweater, no matter how alike they might appear on screen. The same way choosing a Balmain over a Balenciaga does.
Joanne (Kristen Bell) in Netflix rom-com Nobody Wants This‘ style is a case in point. The show has us hooked and Joanne’s clothing has us captivated. Her wardrobe is definitive of a true Los Angeles resident, which, according to the series’ costume designer Negar Ali Kline, was a key intention when planning Joanne’s sartorial identity. ‘We wanted to make sure it felt authentic to LA,’ Kline told Forbes. ‘We made sure to include local LA designers. It helped us to be specific to the place.’ These designers included Jesse Kamm for trousers, Hey Gang for tracksuits and Casa Vega T-shirts.
But it’s not only smaller labels that Joanne wears in the show. Among the indie LA labels lies a clear grip on top-tier designer fashion; Dries Van Noten, Khaite and Saint Laurent are among the high-end houses Joanne embraces during the series. These three designers not only speak of access to high price points but also cerebral, stealthy choices when you consider the items she ‘chooses’ from them are not covered in look-at-me logos but rather solid, sturdy investment pieces. They’re pieces that tell us that Joanne knows what she likes and chooses IYKYK pieces for herself.
‘Joanne for us was a really exciting character to design. She’s a multifaceted woman,’ Kline continued. Things that typically wouldn’t make sense, Joanne pulls them off because she has this inherent sense of who she is and how she wants to present the world.’
A case in point: one look sees Joanne wear her Khaite belt with a £45 Abercrombie & Fitch bodysuit.
With a By Far bag.
These fashion choices chosen for Joanne would be nothing without the finishing touches the costume team deemed essential. The rotation of By Far bags aside, Joanne can be seen wearing a layer of gold jewellery throughout, just like many of us do. ‘We wanted Joanne to have this personal stack of jewellery,’ Kline said. ‘All the women I know, have jewellery that they like to wear every single day. They have this thing that feels really personal to them. It’s collected.’
In a Adina Reyter ’J’ necklace.
If you too have fallen for Joanne’s clever, comfy and cosy high-low style, then here are some of ELLE UK‘s favourite pieces from the series for you to add to your wardrobe. They’re less Nobody Wants This, more ‘Everybody Wants Them’.
Khaite Bambi Leather Belt
Alessandra Rich Polka Dot silk Pleated Midi Skirt
Now 35% Off
Reformation Polka Dot Dress
Dries Van Noten Brushed Alpaca-Blend Sweater
Christopher Esber Twisted-Effect Cut-Out Top
BY FAR BY FAR crocodile-effect shoulder bag
Now 30% Off
Abercombie & Fitch Long-Sleeve Mesh Foldover Bodysuit
Simkhai Simkhai Braylee striped cropped top
Adina Reyter Initial Heart Necklace
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