From Screen to Wardrobe: Exploring the Fashion Influences of Netflix’s“To All the Boys I Loved Before”
In romantic comedies, a few movies have captured the hearts of audiences, such as “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” The film gave us a heartwarming love story and introduced us to the unforgettable style of its protagonist, Lara Jean Covey. Played by the talented Lana Condor, Lara Jean’s fashion choices have become an inspiration for many. In this fashion analysis, we will dive deep into Lara Jean’s iconic style, exploring how her outfits reflect her character and contribute to the movie's overall aesthetic.
Unraveling Lara Jean’s Body Type
Before delving into Lara Jean’s wardrobe, it’s essential to understand her body type. While there has been some debate online, we believe that Lana Condor embodies the Romantic body type. The Romantic body type is known for its soft and feminine curves, and Lana Condor’s figure perfectly fits this description. Understanding her body type helps us appreciate how the costume designer brought out the best in Lara Jean’s appearance through her clothing choices.
Outfit #1: Airport Look
One of Lara Jean’s notable outfits in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is her airport look. In this scene, Lara Jean bids farewell to her sister, sporting a stylish ensemble that showcases her youthful spirit. She wears cat-eye sunglasses, a striped turtleneck, and a light-wash jean skirt. While the outfit exudes a Soft Gamine aesthetic, a few elements could have been improved to enhance Lara Jean’s Romantic lines. The straight silhouette of the jean skirt doesn’t complement her rounded figure, and the turtleneck stripes disrupt the look's overall cohesiveness.
Outfit #2: First Day of School Ensemble
On her first day back at school, Lara Jean makes a fashion statement with her ensemble. She dons a dark flannel shirt, a grey t-shirt, camel shorts, burgundy knee-high socks, and black combat boots. Although this outfit leans towards a Soft Gamine style, a simple modification could have made it more harmonious with Lara Jean’s Romantic lines. Replacing the flannel shirt and grey undershirt with a burgundy top with soft details or a black camisole paired with a burgundy cardigan would have maintained the original vibe while adding a touch of Romantic elegance.
Outfit #3: Contract Look
One of the standout outfits in the movie is Lara Jean’s contract look. This ensemble, worn while negotiating a fake dating contract with Peter, perfectly showcases her Romantic lines. Lara Jean stuns in a pink varsity jacket and a pink tropical print dress. The varsity jacket, with its soft and curved shapes, complements her figure, while the dress accentuates her waist and flares out into a soft and full skirt. The overall look is a beautiful amalgamation of Romantic aesthetics.
Outfit #4: Party Look
Lara Jean’s party look is another example of her fashion choices, which lean towards a soft gamine style. She wears a navy blue dress with a white collar, a blue varsity jacket with flower embroidery, and black platform shoes. While the varsity jacket adds a unique touch to the outfit, the straight silhouette of the dress doesn’t fully embrace Lara Jean’s Romantic figure. A flared skirt silhouette, like the one seen in her contract look, would have enhanced her curves and created a more harmonious overall appearance.
Outfit #5: Confrontation Outfit
During a pivotal scene in the movie, Lara Jean confronts Jenn in the school bathroom, wearing an outfit that showcases a mixture of Gamine and Romantic elements. Her confrontation outfit consists of a burgundy cardigan, a white button-up shirt, a grey pullover, a blue and yellow plaid skirt, yellow over-the-knee socks, and black platform shoes. While the bottom half of the outfit, including the skirt and socks, works well with her Romantic lines, the upper half falls short. The pullover obscures her curves, and there is a lack of waist emphasis, which is essential for a Romantic body type. A more balanced combination of Gamine and Romantic elements would have elevated this look.
The Evolution of Lara Jean’s Style
Throughout the “To All the Boys” trilogy, we witness the evolution of Lara Jean’s style. As she navigates her teenage years, her fashion choices mature alongside her character development. The costume designer, Lorraine Carson, expertly blends elements of North American, Korean, and European fashion to create a unique and relatable look for Lara Jean. Carson adds depth and personality to Lara Jean’s wardrobe by incorporating vintage and retro touches.
Lara Jean’s style in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” has had a significant impact on fashion enthusiasts and fans of the movie. Her outfits, with their mix of Soft Gamine and Romantic elements, have become a source of inspiration for many young women. The movie’s success and the popularity of Lara Jean’s style demonstrate the influence of fashion in storytelling and how it can resonate with audiences on a deeper level.
Lara Jean Covey’s style in “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” perfectly reflects her character. From her airport look to her confrontation outfit, each ensemble tells a story and contributes to her overall aesthetic. While some outfits lean more towards a Soft Gamine style, the costume designer successfully incorporates elements that highlight Lara Jean’s Romantic body type. With her fashion choices, Lara Jean has become a fashion icon, inspiring viewers to embrace their own unique style journeys.
