Edited By Naomi Gupta
In December 2023, two films were the talk of the town. The first was the light-hearted romantic comedy Anyone But You, which left everyone belting Natasha Bedingfield’s Unwritten. The second was Saltburn—a thriller that made Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2000s hit Murder on The Dance Floor resurface as fans re-enacted the movie’s final scene on TikTok.
While people are obsessing over the movies’ soundtracks, what is less discussed is the fashion —a core element of these films. The outfits in both Anyone But You and Saltburn go hand in hand with the aesthetic of their respective time periods. Anyone But You, set in 2023, showcasesthe Gen-Z style, while Saltburn revisits the early 2000s posh British style.
In Anyone But You, actor Glen Powell, who plays a finance guy, sports untucked shirts, pants, and gym shorts in a scene where he’s working out at the beach. Actress Sydney Sweeney similarly stands out with her plunging dresses, workout sets, and floral bikinis. They coincide with her law school student style—one which is both trendy and minimalist, with pops of color here and there. Later, she appears in the same bikini top but has swapped her bikini bottoms for a pair of floral jeans (See photo of Sydney left). Her hair is perfectly styled in a ponytail, encapsulating the laid-back Gen-Z look. She also appears wearing a plunging blue silk dress for the scene featuring a wedding rehearsal— another nod to the 2020s style of simple but classy outerwear.
Saltburn takes place in Oxford, England—where opulent and chic rhyme with everyday wear. This style plays on the stereotype of the “preppy” look of Oxford and Cambridge students. Throughout the film, Saltburn’scharacters sport black ties as casually as jeans. Jacob Elordi’s character, Felix Catton, often appears wearing rugby shirts —an iconic piece from the 2000s era. Saltburn’s costume designer, Sophie Canale, drew inspiration from Prince Harry and William’s early 2000s looks and the high-class brands they wore—Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and Dunhill.
In one of the movie’s scenes, the characters attend a birthday party—one inspired by Shakespeare’s
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Characters appear in folkloric costumes, from floral suits to animal-themed accessories, including deer antlers. Actress Rosamund Pike’s gold dress gives her a very Queen-covered-in-gold aura—Canale’s intention behind the decision for Pike to wear the gorgeous Valentino dress. (See image to the left)
Both movies demonstrate how fashion plays have a lasting impact on the movie’s reception. While fashion in the film has been talked about for years, its importance is often underscored; a lack of stunning and daring looks could completely alter a film’s success.
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