The Queen's Gambit Fashion: How to Dress Like Beth Harmon
The Queen's Gambit: How to Dress Like Grandmaster and '60s Babe Beth Harmon
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You don't have to like chess to fall in love with Beth Harmon's captivating genius, which often shows itself in her slick personal style. The chess prodigy and '60s babe, played by Anya Taylor-Joy in The Queen's Gambit, has a mind that's only matched by her fashion sense. Beth's timeless wardrobe, designed by French costumer Gabriele Binder, was inspired by Audrey Hepburn and Edie Sedgwick — and we're showing you how to dress like the grandmaster herself in 2020.
Beth Harmon's wardrobe has a very distinct colour palette. She wears black, white, jewel tones, pastels, and check prints, with a pop of a primary colour like yellow or red every so often. You'll find Beth wearing A-line silhouettes — tops with Peter Pan collars, boatnecks, and sweetheart necklines, detailed with bows and buttons. The chess champ is more likely to be seen in dresses and high-waisted mini or midi skirts, but she'll occasionally rock a chino trouser with an oversize jumper during the colder months. In the winter, her signature outerwear is a button-front wool overcoat to match her beret and gloves, while a classic black, high-neck fitted jumper is a wardrobe staple.
"As Beth matures, her style changes with new experiences and places she travels to. Her early style is influenced by Jean Seberg, Audrey Hepburn, and Natalie Wood, among others," costume designer Gabriele Binder told POPSUGAR. "Beth's looks grow more elegant in Paris and Moscow, where we took influence from the French New Wave. We looked at Romy Schneider and Juliette Gréco, and movies like Contempt and Breathless. If you watch them now, they still have something very modern and inspirational about them, style wise."
Binder has a great eye for '60s-inspired pieces that are truly timeless. Even Beth's collection of activewear, loungewear, and swimwear would be fresh and inspirational if worn today. For tennis, she wears a classic white look with a collared shirt and navy pleated skirt; for a night swim, she wears a gingham one-piece swimsuit and teddy-textured robe; for staying home, she wears a lace-trimmed slip dress or co-ordinated set and an oversize pastel cardigan. To complete Beth's looks, try pairing these outfits with kitten heels, loafers, or Mary Jane shoes, cat-eye sunglasses, and scarf hair accessories.
Ahead, shop the essential pieces and styling tips for emulating Beth Harmon's '60s-inspired wardrobe.
Outerwear: Matching Wool Overcoat, Beret Hat, and Gloves
& Other Stories Belted Wool Blend Coat
Anthropologie Jessica Beret
John Lewis & Partners Cashmere Gloves, Light Blue
Outerwear: Button-Down Wool Overcoat in White, Check Print, or Pastel Colours
& Other Stories Houndstooth Wool Blend Long Coat
Stine Goya Margret Belted Wool-Blend Coat
Dolce & Gabbana Purple Coat
Activewear: White Tennis Outfit With Collared Shirt, Headband, and Navy Skort
Lacoste Women's Lacoste SPORT Roland Garros Print Cotton Polo Shirt
Lululemon Pace Rival Skirt
Lululemon Fly Away Tamer Headband II Luxtreme
Nike NikeCourt Air Zoom Vapor X
Falke Sensitive London Women Socks
Loungewear: Pastel Lace-Trimmed Slip Dress or Matching Set With Oversize Cardigan
Dora Larsen Jessica High Apex Body
& Other Stories Alpaca Blend V-Neck Cardigan
Swimwear: Gingham One-Piece Swimsuit and Teddy-Textured Matching Robe
Oysho Gingham Triangle Swimsuit
New Look Gingham Swimsuit
The White Company Hydrocotton Hooded Dressing Gown
Tops: Peter-Pan Collars, Boatneck, and Sweetheart Blouses
Simple Retro Victoria 100% Cotton Peter Pan Collar Shirt
Simple Retro Victoria 100% Cotton Peter Pan Collar Shirt (£38, originally £95)
Sézane Edie Jumper
Bottoms: A-Line Midi Skirts and Miniskirts
Everlane the Mini Skirt
Bottoms: A-Line Midi Skirts and Miniskirts
Anine Bing Bar Skirt
Anine Bing Bar Skirt (£198)
