Queen’s Gambit Fashion Guide
The hype around Queen’s Gambit may be dying down, but the costumes continue to haunt me. If you too are craving the mod-yet-classic glamor of Beth Harmon, here are some quick and dirty tips for bring more Chess Queen Chic into your life.
Tip 1: Embrace neutrals and monochromes
Beth’s fashion is statement-making, but it’s rarely fussy when it comes to color. We often see her wearing the same hue in different shades, or sticking to one colorstory. Her wardrobe is predominantly blacks, browns, navys, and whites with only the rare and deliberate pops of rich color. When she does wear a print (plaid, pink checkerboard, or otherwise) the rest of her outift is compiled of neutrals that are pulled from that print, so as to create cohesion. The colors of her outfits don’t draw your eye to any one place, which results in long, sleek, elegant lines.
Tip 2: Neat Necklines
From the earliest moments of Beth’s fashion journey, we bear witness to some pretty stellar collars. From mocknecks to pilgrims collars to pussybows, each neckline is distinct in its neatness, adding a tailored quality to even Beth’s more casual looks. Her necklines are also where we see the color contrast and pattern– the collars are the key detail to her otherwise simple designs.
Tip 3: Keep accessories to a minimum
Beth rarely wears accessories, preferring to let her clothes do all the talking. This gives each outfit a no-fuss, elegant appearance. Perhaps she took the word of Coco Chanel, who advised, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”
Tip 4: Perfect your eyeliner game
We may not all have Anya Taylor-Joy’s bone structure, but we can all embrace a good, elegant winged eye. Save for Episode 6′s mental breakdown look, Beth keeps her makeup clean and simple with a slight wing and a touch of color on her lips. Her wings get larger as the series progresses, so if you lack confidence in the eyeliner department, start small. Less is more.
If you’d rather forego makeup altogether, a pair of cateye sunglasses are a cute vintage touch!
Tip 5: Don’t think vintage, think classic.
Beth’s looks are distinct, but the cuts and patterns of her outfits are often more “classic” than they are “vintage”– which is good news for us, because many of the pieces Beth wears can be found in clothing stores today. Mockneck black sweaters, collared blouses, and highwaisted skirts are all key parts of Beth’s wardrobe, and they’re all pieces you can find easily. The elegance of these cuts never go out of style, so if you do invest in some new clothing items you can rest assured knowing these pieces will be in fashion for decades to come.
