Friday, December 11, 2020

This Season’s Biggest Jewelry Trends Include Unexpected Takes On Throwback Styles

This winter, we’re eyeing jewelry trends that can work for any (virtual) occasion, whether it be a Zoom meeting, date, or family holiday call — all of which call for a smattering of accoutrements. After all, just because we’ve gone digital doesn’t mean we shouldn’t wear our favorite baubles. A small but mighty outfit-amplifier, a sparkly tennis bracelet or a pearl necklace (Styles, again) can turn any outfit from everyday to statement-making. And with so many buzzworthy jewelry trends on the rise this season, there’s no shortage of options for you to choose from — especially now that the holiday season is here. 

On our list of the biggest jewelry trends this season are kitschy add-ons like belly chains à la Lily-Rose Depp, classics like pearls and tennis bracelets, and of course, statement-making pieces that’ll stand out via FaceTime. Out with the dainty necklaces and stacking rings of yesteryear — we now need jewelry that people can see, no matter how unstable our internet connection is. 

Ahead, click through six of our favorite jewelry trends of the season.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Cocktail Rings


Where we used to pile on stackable rings on every finger, this season, our rule of thumb (pun intended) is quality over quantity. With that in mind, we’re picking one big, statement ring. Props if it includes color or interlocking stones. 

Wolf Circus Tosh Signet Ring, $, available at Wolf Circus


Oma The Label The Haddy Ring, $, available at Oma The Label
— PAID —

We can't think of a better reason to talk with your hands than a ring with on-trend curved lines and multi-shaped stones.

Swarovski Twist Wrap Ring, $, available at Swarovski

Pearl Necklaces


Pearls are having a huge moment in 2020. Harry Styles wore them, in his “Golden” music video and in paparazzi photos, as did Kamala Harris and Shawn Mendes, among others. That said, according to Kathryn Money, SVP of merchandising at Brilliant Earth, shoppers are looking for contemporary styles rather than classic strands: “Designers are incorporating them into more distinctive styles, pairing them with on-trend yellow gold, and using organic pearls rather than traditional cultivated pearls.”

The price on Refinery29 is in USD, whereas the price listed on Wald Berlin's website is in Euros.

Wald Berlin Pas De Deux Necklace, $, available at Wald Berlin


Stella & Haas North Star Pearl Necklace, $, available at Stella & Haas


Ten Wilde Medallion Pearl Choker, $, available at Ten Wilde

ID Jewelry


From ID bracelets to Carrie Bradshaw-inspired name necklaces, everyone who’s anyone is wearing their name on their jewelry these days. That, or they’re having their jewelry customized with initials, birth dates of their loved ones, astrology signs, and meaningful words. Either way, we’re fully on board with this customizable trend. 


L'Enchanteur L'E ID Braided Cuff, $, available at L'Enchanteur


J. Hannah Identity Bracelet II, $, available at J. Hannah


Jam + Rico Custom Name Necklace, $, available at Jam + Rico

Tennis Bracelets


If owning a tennis bracelet, made up of a string of diamonds, has previously been of price range for you, this year, you’re in luck. Ever since the traditional style went viral on TikTok earlier this year, therefore gaining more popularity within a younger crowd, more and more affordable options have come to my attention. Hell, a $15 tennis bracelet sold on Amazon (next slide) has over 5,000 positive reviews. Count me in.

Nordstrom Cubic Zirconia Tennis Bracelet, $, available at Nordstrom


Pavoi Zirconia Classic Bracelet, $, available at Amazon


Sphera Milano 14K White Gold Plated Sterling Silver CZ Tennis Bracele, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Belly-Button Rings


Yes, you read that right. Thanks to a return in ‘00s-era fashion trends — like visible thongs — belly-button rings have been on the rise this year. Just check Instagram, where models and It Girls have been posting their new body jewelry for months — Hailey Bieber, included. Styling trick: If you’re considering bringing back your old belly button piercing, I suggest opting for a simple hoop ring rather than the old-school two-gem bar. They’re much more comfortable, not to mention modern-looking. 

Maria Tash 5mm 14 Karat White Gold Hoop Earring, $, available at Net-A-Porter


The Last Line Medium Seamless Hoop Earring 14k Yellow Gold, $, available at The Last Line


Maison Miru Forever Seamless Cartilage Hoop 14k Gold, $, available at Maison Miru

Belly Chains


Ever since Fenty featured belly chains in its 6-20 collection, we’ve been keeping an eye out for the ‘00s-inspired trend. It appeared again during Paris Fashion Week when Lily-Rose Depp arrived at the Chanel show. In addition to a pink, tweed bra and matching jacket, she wore a gold belly chain with “CHANEL” written across her midriff, solidifying the item's rise in popularity.

Since then, Instagram brands like éliou and Bagatiba have all hopped on-board by designing pearl-embellished chains in addition to simple gold ones — that can also double as necklaces.

Bagatiba Princess Belly Chain, $, available at Bagatiba


Éliou Victoria Gold Plated Pearl Body Chain, $, available at Net-A-Porter


Fenty Pearls Body Chain, $, available at Fenty

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Zerina Akers’ Thrilling Edit Spotlights Black-Owned Vintage Stores — & Includes Rare Patrick Kelly Pieces

In June, when celebrity stylist Zerina Akers — whose clients include Beyoncé and Chloe x Halle — began compiling a list of Black-owned brands for her own styling purposes, she never expected it to become what it is today. Which is: an Instagram account with 204,000 followers that acts as an industry-wide resource for supporting talent in the Black community. “I had created this curated feed, but as I started to follow more people, everything was just so breathtaking that I felt the need to share it,” Akers tells Refinery29 of Black Owned Everything. And she’s just getting started. Next up: an e-commerce site designed to make shopping from Black brands easier than ever.

“Initially, I wanted to launch our [Black Owned Everything e-commerce] website right on Black Friday as a way of redefining Black Friday and supporting Black-owned businesses,” Akers says. Due to technical delays exasperated by the pandemic, the timing didn’t work, she explains. “Instead, we decided to change the narrative a bit.” This meant teaming up with digital secondhand and vintage marketplace Thrilling, owned and operated by Shilla Kim-Parker

The duo — who connected when Kim-Parker, a fan of Akers, blindly reached out to the stylist — joined forces to curate an edit that includes strictly vintage items from Black-owned thrift shops available on Thrilling. The collection, which went live on December 11, according to Akers, is inspired by ‘90s hip hop music and the community embodied in it. “It started really with the unity that a lot of women had back then, with different rappers and musicians coming into each other’s videos. Everyone just looked really dope. They were always celebrating and supporting each other,” she says. Akers also wanted to create a collection that felt relevant today, making the ‘90s a perfect fit given how many fashion trends from the era are making a resurgence of late. Think: shoulder bags, leather trenches, non-stretch jeans, and bucket hats

Akers and Kim-Parker, who both have long shopped secondhand, felt it was important to show just how easy and rewarding thrifting a modern, relevant wardrobe can be compared to buying new. “Buying thrift store jackets and changing the sleeves or painting on them — that’s how I discovered my love for fashion,” Akers says. Kim-Parker adds, “You get to own something that — even though there are others in the world — is so hard to find that you want to keep it and cherish it and treat it well. And, because others cherished it, too, allowing it to last all this time, it was able to make it to you.” 

The edit’s pieces range from a pinstripe Giorgio Armani suit to Vivienne Westwood newspaper-printed sneakers. There are also non-branded vintage items, including a cowl-neck LBD and a retro, collegiate sweater vest. “I was even able to source Patrick Kelly items for the edit, and that alone is such a piece of history,” says Akers. In 1988, Patrick Kelly, a Black fashion designer from Mississippi, became the first American designer to be admitted to the Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter, the organization that governs French ready-to-wear. (One of Kelly’s shift dresses is currently on display at the “About Time” fashion exhibit at the Met.) “His pieces are so hard to find,” says Akers. Which makes it that much more incredible that, using Thrilling and its mom-and-pop vintage stores, she was able to source multiple pieces from the late designer. 

When asked about her thrifting process, both for personal use and work, Akers says she gravitates toward items with unique patterns, colors, and “obviously, vintage designer pieces.” “I tend to buy things that have an interesting design element that I haven’t seen before. Then, even if I don’t wear it — I always thrift things that I can’t wear for a year [due to the weather or something of the like] — when I do put it on, it becomes my new favorite thing. Investing in those pieces is always worthwhile in the end.”

Shop the Zerina Akers x Thrilling edit now on Thrilling.com.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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16 Pairs Of Flannel Pajamas To Hibernate In All Winter Long

It's almost that time when winter takes over, and cuddling up in the comfort of your own bed wins out over long afternoon hangs in the park and pretty much everything else. When the going gets tough, what other choice is there than our too-cozy-to-ever-take-off flannel pajamas? They might not be the most chic winter outfit choice, but hey, when you're that far deep in a The Undoing binge, putting together a lewk is hardly a top priority.

To investigate, we did a deep dive to find the perfect pair of flannel pajamas. Despite our admittedly low expectations, we were pleasantly surprised to find a selection that didn't disappoint. From the plaid and gingham sets you know and love to fun and festive pairs too good to pass up, winter sleepwear is better than ever before. So next time the elements have you itching for a good ol' fashioned night in, try a pair of the 16 flannel pajamas ahead, and finally master cold weather hygee once and for all.

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.



Madewell Flannel Bedtime Pajama Set, $, available at Madewell


Aerie Flannel Pajama Shirt, $, available at AE

Aerie Flannel Pajama Jogger, $, available at AE


H&M Flannel Nightshirt, $, available at H&M


The Cat's Pajamas Holiday Hipsters Flannel Pajama Set, $, available at Bare Necessities


Uniqlo Flannel Long-Sleeve Pajamas, $, available at Uniqlo


Rails Kellen Checked Flannel Pajama Set, $, available at Net-A-Porter


PJ Salvage Flannel Pajamas, $, available at Nordstrom


L.L. Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Nightgown, $, available at L.L. Bean


Stars Above Striped Flannel Pajama Set, $, available at Target


Florence Balducci Menagerie Flannel Sleep Top, $, available at Anthropologie

Florence Balducci Menagerie Flannel Sleep Pants, $, available at Anthropologie


Plush Ultra Soft Short Sleeve Buffalo Plaid PJ Set, $, available at AmazonPhoto Courtesy of Amazon.


J.Crew Black Watch Tartan Flannel Pajama Set, $, available at J.Crew


White Mark Flannel Pajama Set, $, available at Walmart


Tommy Hilfiger Organic Cotton Flannel Pajama Set, $, available at ASOS


PajamaGram Flannel Cozy Boyfriend Pajamas, $, available at Amazon


Splendid Pillowsoft Sleep Set, $, available at Splendid

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I Overhauled My Wardrobe Using eBay. Here Are Buying & Selling Tips So You Can, Too.

Like many during the early stay-at-home orders, with nothing else to do, I tackled my closet, an unorganized, overstuffed box in the corner of my bedroom-slash-work-from-home office. Faced with clothing and accessories I no longer wore, I took to eBay. First to clean out my closet, and then to fill the missing wardrobe gaps.

In the past, I’ve tried and failed to use eBay as a viable source of selling and buying clothing, opting to, instead, sell and buy my secondhand goods at local thrift stores. Using eBay felt like too much of a commitment — between communicating with buyers directly to standing in line at the post office. It’s also overwhelming for a newcomer buyer — with an abundance of results to sort through. But, once the physical stores shut down, I was forced to turn to the platform. In the process, I learned the ins and outs of selling and buying, realizing how easy it actually is. Now that stores have reopened, I continue to use eBay as both a shopper and seller.

For selling, all you need to do is take some photos and measurements (more on that below) and fill out the required boxes which ask about the brand, size, color, and style of the item. Next, pick a pricing method: auction — where you choose a starting bid price and shoppers bid against each other for a specified amount of time — or buy it now — where you choose a price from the get-go that allows shoppers to buy your item right away as they would at any traditional retailer. (With the buy it now feature, you can also give shoppers the option to send you an offer.)

For buying, the process is even easier: Search the item you’ve been eyeing, and, if it’s available, either bid on it and wait, or buy it straight away. (Though, to be fair, as anyone who tried to buy a Telfar bag prior to the brand’s Bag Security Program will tell you, it’s not as seamless with every item.)

To ensure that your buying and selling experience on eBay is without fail, I present you with my beginner’s guide to the craft. I’m no Sophia Amoruso in her early Nasty Gal days, but I did snag never-worn Loewe loafers for next-to-nothing in the last five seconds of a nail-biting auction. Below, read through my tips for navigating the rewarding world of eBay. 

Tips For Buying on eBay

Be Specific When Searching

As mentioned, there are a ton of items for sale at any given moment on eBay, which makes it an intimidating place to shop for a newbie. If you’re looking for a particular item, be specific about what you want in your search. Say you want a leather trench coat à la Katie Holmes (hi, me!) that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Leather trenches might be trendy now, but they’ve been around for a long time, so there will likely be a lot of affordable vintage options available. To avoid wading through thousands of results, include “long,” “brown,” and “belted” in your search. Add a brand if you like a particular style (Holmes’ trench was designed by Magda Butrym). Even if the exact item may not be available or too expensive, similar options are likely to result. You can also filter by price range, condition (new or used, etc.), size, and color.

Use The Advanced Search Function 

If your search is coming up empty or, on the other end, with too many results, you have the option to take it a step further using eBay’s advanced search function. For instance, you can exclude certain keywords to eliminate options you don’t want. One example of where this would be helpful is if you’re looking for items by a designer who has participated in collaborations with other brands. For example, you want a Jil Sander shirt, but none from the Jil Sander x Uniqlo collaboration — you can search “Jil Sander” and exclude “Uniqlo.” 

For Designer Pieces, Look For The Blue Check

According to eBay North America’s General Manager of Luxury Tirath Kamdar, if you see a little blue badge on the listing, that means that the item you’re eyeing qualifies for the company’s Authenticity Guarantee, ensuring that you aren’t buying a knock-off. “Your items will be vetted by professionals to ensure they’re 100% real, at no cost to you,” Kamdar tells Refinery29. This is useful if you’re splurging on something rare or expensive. 

Save Your Searches

If, after scouring page after page of items, nothing comes up, the piece might simply not be available. To ensure that you’re the first to find out when it does land on the site, you can save the specific keywords to come back to later. When items fitting your search terms are added to the site, they’ll populate in your saved searches. Even better, eBay will only populate items there that arrived since you last looked, to save you time from looking through old sales that you’ve already seen. 

Check Out The Seller’s Reviews & Return Policy

If you find an item you love, but think maybe it’s too good to be true, check out the seller’s reviews. The more items they’ve sold, the better, especially if they have positive reviews to go along with them. In addition, check that the seller allows for returns. That way, if for any reason when you receive the item, it’s not up to your liking, you can send it back without having to file a case with eBay.

Consider Auctions

Auctions can be intimidating the first time you join one, but with a few tricks, you could very well snag your own Loewe loafers (or something equally as covetable to you) very soon. I like to get in on the action early, putting in a bid that’s right around the starting number. Then, I’ll set a reminder for 30 minutes prior to the end of the auction. If you’re lucky, no one else will be bidding, and you’ll win by default. More likely, though, one or more bidders will hop on around the 5-to-10-minute mark, too. If the price isn’t too high by the time 15 or so seconds are left before the end of the auction, bid. In the case of my loafers, I bid at five seconds and won. Take it from someone who wears her prize at least three times a week, there’s no better feeling than winning a big auction at the last second.

Tips For Selling On eBay

Optimize Your Listing

According to Kamdar, the best tip for selling is to optimize your listing and use quality photographs against a “white or neutral background” and simple, accurate descriptions of the item’s style, color, size, and condition. (Example: “New Never Worn With Box Gucci Women’s Lug Sole Loafers Size EU 40 US 9.5 in Black.”) Personally, I like to hang my garments up against a white wall or sheet when photographing them. For shoes and accessories, I’ll photograph them on my bed (on a white duvet) or on a sheet on the floor. Tip: Avoid taking photos at night or on particularly dreary days — it’s all about the light. 

To reduce the risk of a return or unsatisfied customer, you should also include measurements of the item and photos of any stains or damage. In my experience, if I can find the item online from a retailer, I’ll link out to those websites. This allows shoppers to see how the item can be styled and the original price.

Price Items Fairly

Speaking of price, unless you have the time and space to hold onto the clothing for an indefinite amount of time, price your items to sell. Unless you’re scouring the market every day, you might not know a fair price for every item off the top of your head. That’s where eBay’s advanced search feature comes back into play. On the selling side, one of the best resources from the function is its “search including” section, which houses the completed and sold listings filters. These filters can be used to see how other sellers priced similar items and at what price they eventually sold for. Sold listings will show you all of the completed listings that ended in a successful transaction. Completed listings show every single listing whether or not they sold. 

Use The Reminder Feature

Recently, eBay added a new feature that’s especially useful for selling items with active watchers. Once you have a few watchers, eBay will allow you the opportunity to send them personalized discounts, further motivating buyers to purchase. (This is also helpful for buyers, because who doesn’t love a discount?)

Shipping

Whereas I used to feel like the shipping process was the most daunting of all, once I realized that eBay does most of the work for you — you can purchase your shipping label on the site and either print it out or use a QR code at the post office — I now don’t dread my weekly post office trips to drop off packages. I bought blank poly mailers in bulk in a couple of different sizes, a roll of packing tape, and some blank stationery so that I could write a quick, personalized note to every one of my customers — this, in my opinion, helps if you want a good review — rather than always buying one-off items at the post office. After all, the point is to make money, not lose it because of hidden fees and packaging costs. Often, I’ll try to ship out my packages as soon as possible, though, with the pandemic, this isn’t always an option. That said, in my experience, if you’re transparent about timing with your customers, more often than not, they’re understanding. 

Another Money-saving tip: If you’re looking to avoid shipping costs as both a buyer and a seller, and discover that the item you want to buy or the person you’d be shipping an item to is local, you can offer to pick it up in-person or have them pick it up. (This option is located at the bottom of the page when you’re uploading an item.)

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The Meaning Behind The Sequin-Adorned Costumes Of The Prom

Warning: Some spoilers for The Prom below.

“Learn better faaah-shion…” Broadway diva Dee Dee Allen (played by Meryl Streep) condescendingly (yet deliciously) croons, during the opening reprise of “Changing Lives” in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix movie rendition of the Tony-nominated musical The Prom. Appropriately, she’s spectacularly clad in a fully sequined, amethyst purple caped pantsuit. Her showbiz cohorts are equally-well dressed: leading man Barry Glickman (James Corden) in a sparkling rhinestone-embellished aqua blue tux, showgirl Angie Dickinson (Nicole Kidman) in an emerald green sequin mini-wrap dress, and ‘90s sitcom has-been Trent Oliver (Andrew Rannells) in a raspberry Sardi’s bartender tuxedo. Thus begins Murphy’s blowout of catchy show tunes, slick choreography, and a fashion explosion of vibrant colors and sparkle, created by The Prom costume designer and frequent Murphy collaborator Lou Eyrich

The story follows the Broadway quartet as it embarks on a self-serving image rehab mission, after it decides to use its perceived big city celebrity clout to support Indiana teen Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman). The provincial PTA, led by the tightly-wound Mrs. Greene (Kerry Washington), canceled her senior prom because Emma planned to bring her girlfriend as her date. Consistent with Murphy’s previous projects, the Broadway lights-themed color palette lays the storytelling groundwork. Bookending the movie, the eye-catching jewel tones first differentiate the self-involved New Yorkers from the denizens of Emma’s hometown of Edgewater, Indiana; in the grand finale number, the colors bring everyone together.

THE PROM (L to R) JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN, NICOLE KIDMAN as ANGIE DICKINSON, ANDREW RANNELLS as TRENT OLIVER, MERYL STREEP as DEE DEE ALLEN in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

“[Murphy] talked about the feeling of a big Hollywood musical and bright color palette of purples and pinks, aqua and greens [for the New Yorkers],” explains Eyrich — who’s won five Emmy Awards for her work on Murphy’s shows — on a call. “The rest was a neutral color palette to show the difference between the glitz and glamour of Broadway and real life in the Midwest.” It’s also the colors of The Prom logo (see top photo).

Bridging the two, the James Madison High School colors are a golden yellow — as worn by Emma singing “Just Breathe,” as she faces bullying from her classmates — and spirited aqua — a distant cousin of the blue-green theme in Ratched, that Eyrich also worked on. The two hues foreshadow the two worlds colliding early on, when Dee Dee and Angie wear mustard and aqua, respectively, as they hitch a ride to Edgewater on Trent’s non-Equity tour of Godspell bus.

True to form, Dee Dee claims two rows on the bus, while lounging in a divine marigold cape and matching trousers by Valentino. She brazenly kicks her feet up on the seat back before her, her ultra-chic Stuart Weitzman ankle boots on full display. “Dee Dee’s just a confident grand dame of the theah-tah,” says Eyrich, whose “huge mood board” for Streep’s character featured larger-than-life icons, from Shirley MacLaine to Mitzi Gaynor and Lady Gaga. “Ryan really wanted her to be bold and brassy, and just grander than she really is. Being kind of a washed-up theater actor, but she still has a lot of bravado.” 

THE PROM (L to R) MERYL STREEP as DEE DEE ALLEN, JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

Behind-the-scenes, Eyrich enjoyed a collaborative process with the triple Oscar and Emmy winner to devise Dee Dee’s chic trouser looks and her dramatic cape signature, which Murphy also famously loves. “Meryl loves to play with clothes, and comes into costume fittings just wanting to play,” says Eyrich, who estimates that she custom-built half of Dee Dee’s wardrobe and amplified show-stopping pieces with fur trims, fluttery feathers, tassels, and opulent embellishments. 

Dee Dee makes her grand entrance into the James Madison High gymnasium in a fur-trimmed red cloak accessorized with a pearl-embellished fedora. The group announces themselves as “liberals from Broadway!” to the bewildered and apathetic teen audience, while principal and Dee Dee stan Mr. Hawkins (Keegan Michael-Key) looks on in sheer star-struck delight. (Chronic Juilliard-name-dropper Trent arrives in a “New York City” T-shirt that might as well read: “interloper.”)

THE PROM (L to R) ANDREW RANNELLS as TRENT OLIVER, KERRY WASHINGTON as MRS. GREENE, MERYL STREEP as DEE DEE ALLEN, JO ELLEN PELLMAN as EMMA, JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

“We just tried to always make her the brightest one in the room. So the minute walks in the room, it’s, ‘Dee Dee’s here! It’s the Dee Dee show!’ She’s always theatrical,” says Eyrich. Referring to a glittery pink zip-up tracksuit Dee Dee wears for a fancy LED face mask sesh with Barry, Eyrich says, “Even with her sweatsuit, she had to wear her satin Moncler.”

The style of Angie, who channels a mod blonde bombshell aesthetic, was largely inspired by screen icon Brigitte Bardot — with a dash of ‘60s- and ‘70s-era triple threat Ann-Margret. “We were doing this one dance number, and Ryan loved the hat so much, he wanted it to be her signature,” says Eyrich, about the Breton cap Angie regularly dons to accent her sexy, undone French twist.

THE PROM (L to R) JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN, NICOLE KIDMAN as ANGIE DICKINSON, MERYL STREEP as DEE DEE ALLEN, KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY as MR. HAWKINS in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

Arriving in Edgewater, Angie wears a mid-thigh-length mohair-wool Max Mara coat in aqua, matching (and to-die-for) croc-embossed over-the-knee boots, also by Max Mara, and purple tights. Highlighting her chorus line bonafides, Angie wears a lot of high kick-friendly mini-dresses adorned with fur and feather trim, sleek tall boots, and a plethora of hosiery, from translucent colors to fishnets. For her impromptu song and dance “Zazz” lesson, Eyrich custom-designed a black sheer blouse and miniskirt with tiers of saucy fringe to further emphasize Angie’s showgirl moves and impossibly long “antelope legs,” as Emma jokes.

THE PROM (L to R) NICOLE KIDMAN as ANGIE DICKINSON,JO ELLEN PELLMAN as EMMA in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

Dee Dee patronizingly assumes the suburban teens need fashion help, but Emma already has a lock on self-expression through her own adorable, eclectic, and throwback-inspired style — even on a budget and in a small town without a Saks Fifth Avenue, much to Barry’s horror. “Emma just loves going to a vintage or a thrift store, which Jo Ellen likes to do in her real life,” says Eyrich, who incorporated Pellman’s own thrifted tweed coat into Emma’s costumes. “So just being able to throw things together and [create] her own style, and just to be her own unique self.” 

Although, Murphy did share a specific reference. “Ryan said ‘maybe a modern-day Annie Hall,” explains Eyrich. “We just didn’t want to go too on the nose with it.” So the costume designer worked natty menswear-inspired flourishes into a few choice daytime outfits, including the unexpected combo of a bright aqua short-sleeve boilersuit by Big Bud Press, over a beige button-down accessorized with a wide tie.

THE PROM (L to R) JO ELLEN PELLMAN as EMMA, ARIANA DEBOSE as ALYSSA GREENE in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

The neckwear theme threads into the ultimate inclusive finale prom, which Emma planned — and the enlightened Broadway vets funded out of the goodness of their hearts *and not as a PR move*. To proudly and openly attend with head cheerleader girlfriend Alyssa (Ariana DuBose) — who just came out to her mother, the aforementioned PTA head Mrs. Greene — Emma envisions wearing a vintage tux to prom. Or what looks like one, anyway.

Behind-the-scenes, achieving Emma’s sartorial goal was also a costume design endeavor. Eyrich and her team first tried a series of authentic vintage blue tuxedos. “They were cute, but we figured it’s been done before and wanted to make it our own,” says Eyrich, also noting that retro tuxes tend to appear more matte on-screen. “Everybody else is going to be glittery, sparkly, and satiny, so we wanted to up her look to fit in.”

Finding the finale-appropriate blue to both mesh with the Broadway colors and shine the spotlight on Emma also proved an undertaking. “We made a whole tux jacket and pants out of a different color and it was just too sky blue,” explains Eyrich. “About a week before [shooting], we decided we didn’t like the blue. We needed it to be more saturated aqua, so we found a different silk. It made a big difference.”

THE PROM (L to R) NICO GREETHAM as NICK, LOGAN RILEY HASSEL as KAYLEE, ARIANA DEBOSE as ALYSSA GREENE, ANDREW RANNELLS as TRENT OLIVER, JO ELLEN PELLMAN as EMMA, SOFIA DELER as SHELBY, NATHANIEL POTVIN as KEVIN, TRACEY ULLMAN as VERA, JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

Eyrich also piped the ruffles of Emma’s tuxedo shirt in a matching hue, for extra dimension, but the skinny ribbon tie — the sartorial cherry on top — almost didn’t happen. “We were going to do a bow-tie or a tie, but it didn’t seem like Emma,” says Eyrich. “But then we found that sparkly ribbon at the nth hour, and we liked how it matched the ruffles.” The glittery silver platform sneakers gave a “thrift store nod” to the whole ensemble.

THE PROM (L to R) ARIANA DEBOSE as ALYSSA GREENE, KERRY WASHINGTON as MRS. GREENE in THE PROM. Cr. MELINDA SUE GORDON/NETFLIX © 2020

Eyrich meticulously plotted out which of the principals would wear each of the original neon lights color scheme for the finale, like Dee Dee in a sequin pink trousers look and Angie in feather-trimmed green-blue. But the typically pristine pastel pink-clad Mrs. Greene arrives to support daughter Alyssa in a body-skimming and harlequin-chevron patterned dress encompassing all the symbolic hues (top photo). Perhaps there’s a Saks in Edgewater, after all, because the resplendent look is from the British youth culture-inspired Gucci Resort 2017 collection.

Eyrich curated a few “contenders” for the final and meaningful dress. “But the minute that Kerry put that on, it was pretty much, ‘this is it.’ She was really gunning for that one,” she says. Although Eyrich admits she initially tried pushing Washington to a different multicolor look, just to allow for all the jubilant, arm waving and body-swaying choreography in the finale extravaganza, “Time to Dance,” but to no avail (and who can blame Washington?) “She’s like, ‘I’m wearing the Gucci and I will find a way to dance. Don’t you worry,’” laughs Eyrich.

“We just wanted a rainbow,” Eyrich adds. “Because throughout the whole movie, she’s in pastels and all put together. Then she has a change of heart. She realizes she doesn’t want to lose her daughter and that she loves her daughter — and loves everybody for showing her that love is the answer. She comes through the [rainbow] tunnel in her rainbow dress.”

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