Wes Anderson's four most fashionable characters and how to channel their vibe
Don't @ us, we had to cut the list down okay
Don't @ us, we had to cut the list down okay
Story time: I once bumped into a tall man dressed in a brown corduroy suit with shoulder-length hair. As we crossed paths in Soho, we stared at each other (me in confusion, him with a weirded out expression) and his assistant grinned at me as he rushed past. A few moments later, I realised the dapper gentleman was in fact The Grand Budapest Hotel’s director Wes Anderson and his stylish films suddenly made so much sense.
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to watch one of his movies or are an avid follower of the Accidentally Wes Anderson Instagram, there’s no denying that his characters are a cut ahead of the fashion pack. To celebrate the release of his newest title The Isle of Dogs, here’s a roundup of the best Wes Anderson style moments from The Royal Tenenbaums to Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Moonrise Kingdom: Suzy
This Very Troubled Child from Moonrise Kingdom may have stolen a boy scout's heart with her tough demeanour, but it was her sense of style that won us over. Despite channeling all the angst of an emo teenager, her fashion choices were sweet and chic (which should probably be a tagline for every Wes Anderson movie ever). Even though the film came out in 2012, she sports all of our favourite spring 2018 trends with her pink gingham dress, pastel caped coat, beret and massive basket bag.
Get the look
Off the Shoulder Gingham Dress, Sara Battaglia
Priced at £700, available at MATCHESFASHION.COM
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Fantastic Mr. Fox: Mr. Fox
He may be a fox, but this mischievous thief gives the most fashionable humans a good run for their money. Stop me if this sounds familiar, he runs around town in a double breasted brown corduroy suit...yeah, apparently the costume designer based Mr Fox’s iconic look off Wes Anderson’s own wardrobe.
From his yellow and burgundy pinstriped pyjama set to a slick tie in shades of brown, he’s a character that oozes all the charm of his voice actor George Clooney. (Side note: what amazing casting.)
Get the look
PETITE Corduroy Awkward Crop Jeans, Topshop
Priced at £42, available at Topshop
The Royal Tenenbaums: Margot Tenenbaum
Margot Tenenbaum is hands down the most elegant of Wes Anderson’s leading women, as well as one of the auteur’s most enigmatic. She's even a popular Halloween costume, inspiring the likes of Michelle Williams to dress up as her. Margot’s massive blond fur steals the show in every scene she’s in and she styles it in the quirkiest of ways, whether she’s sporting a powder blue rugby tee or channelling the underwear as outerwear trend with a taupe slip.
The fact that she can rock a bright red barrette without looking like a twelve year old is also an impossible feat, but somehow Gwyneth Paltrow manages it.
Margot Tenenbaum Coat
Faux Fur Coat, & other stories
Priced at £165, available at & other stories
The Grand Budapest Hotel: M. Gustave
Ralph Fiennes’ eccentric hotel concierge M. Gustave cut a dashing figure as he trotted around the halls of the Grand Budapest Hotel, decked out in his sharp bowtie and snazzy suit. Given that ultraviolet has been hailed Pantone's colour of the year, he and his lobby boy sidekick Zero are bang on the money with their deep purple suits.
The scarlet piping and gold embellishments on his blazer make a world of difference, balanced by his muted grey trousers (topped off with a very on trend side stripe). Tailoring’s the name of the game here though and it’s worth taking a leaf out of M. Gustave’s book, as a bold blazer always makes an impression.
Get the look
Wool-blend Blazer, Emilio Pucci
Priced at £1585, available at NET-A-PORTER
We could go on and on, but half the fun is watching Wes’ archive of films and rediscovering the characters all over again. On that note: his new flick The Isle of Dogs is out on March 30th though there probably won’t be as many fashionable looks in that one - it’s about talking dogs.
Megan is a freelance journalist who covers entertainment and all things lifestyle, with a particular passion for fashion, beauty, travel and Keanu Reeves stories. She has previously worked on staff for titles including Marie Claire UK, CNN Style and The Evening Standard and has written for titles such as Bustle UK, Wallpaper*, Forbes and Hong Kong Tatler. She splits her time between London and her hometown Hong Kong, where she currently lives with the love of her life - an elderly dog named Poppy - and her husband.