It's Not Just The Plot: The Fashion Fails of "Emily in Paris"
Graphic by Michelle Hong. Images via AceShowBiz, Vulture and Mirror.
“Emily in Paris” has blown up on social media in the last month with highly mixed reviews. While some seem to find the show’s kitschiness endearing, I have personally added it to my list of disappointments of 2020 and I’m certainly not alone. The show received laughable roasts on Twitter, the French found it “revolting” and Lou Malnati’s found it “in poor taste” (after a particularly unwelcome insult of their pizza was included in the show).
In addition to the show’s weak plot and questionable characters (very few characters have any redeeming qualities, other than being good-looking), the costume design is what outraged me the most. For a show that takes place in a fashion capital of the world, its clothing was particularly awful — not only for its somewhat absurd outfit choices, but also for how poorly the clothes seemed to fit the actors.
The show’s poor costume design is particularly upsetting (and surprising!) when knowing the designer. Patricia Field, the show’s costumer, has previously costumed “Sex and the City” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” creating an iconic fashionista in Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw and performing a revolutionary fashion transformation on Anne Hathaway’s Andrea Sachs. However, with “Emily in Paris,” she seems to have lost her touch.
In an interview with the New York Post, Field explained she wanted the style of “Emily in Paris” to seem “intentionally cliche” as a nod to titular Emily’s excitement toward her new life in Paris; however, the costumes lean more toward tacky than cliche. Here are some of the biggest fashion disasters in “Emily in Paris.”
1. Reckless Repetition
While I am all for being an outfit repeater, I found the repeated use of certain pieces within the same episode a little distracting, especially when they were used to make a look worse. First, Emily’s black belt.
Image via WornOnTV.
This eyesore of a belt was an accessory in many of Emily’s outfits. In addition to it looking cheap, the bulkiness was distracting to otherwise cute outfits and it seemed like a last-minute fix to a loose-fitting wardrobe on actress Lily Collins, even if that was not its intended purpose. It just did not work, and it was frustrating to see it reused multiple times.
Emily also wore a cropped white camisole in multiple scenes, which worked in her “American” looks, but seemed very out of place in her Parisian wardrobe. This camisole gives off “don’t care” streetwear style, and it was confusing to see it paired with pencil skirts and designer handbags.
Image via the Daily Mail.
In addition to the repetition of the camisole, this look is all over the place to say the least.
Image via Netflix.
2. Hats!?
I suppose it was inevitable that a show about an American in Paris would include a few berets, but outrageous hats became a staple for Emily’s daytime looks around Episode 3 and unfortunately never went away. Their atrocious patterns and often awkward placement on Emily’s head were enough to ruin outfits (as if they weren’t ruined already).
I hope the inclusion of a fedora doesn’t mean they will make a comeback in 2021.
Image via Netflix.
This green Chanel coat was Patricia Field’s favorite piece from “Emily in Paris,” but it was hard to appreciate with the hat/ascot situation overshadowing it.
Image via Netflix.
Unfortunately the hat is the least confusing part of this outfit. Pink camouflage has never been fashionable, but mixed with a drab coat and what looks like an entirely different outfit underneath, this look would have Joan Rivers rolling in her grave.
3. Bad Layering
While it was Field’s intention for every look in “Emily in Paris” to feel a bit over the top, the irresponsibility with which she layered outfits made everything look like it was thrown together last minute.
Image via Netflix.
Much like the black belt in the aforementioned looks, this purple leather jacket is distracting on top of a blue patterned dress. This is one of Emily’s most muted outfits, but it still looks like it’s trying to do too much.
Image via Netflix.
I would have loved to see Hannah Montana rock this look circa 2009, but it was disappointing to see on a 2020 Netflix show.
Image via Netflix.
Emily is not the only character in the show to appear in a ridiculous wardrobe: Emily’s Parisian friend Camille wears this plaid jumper under a tulle Zara blouse. While this look doesn’t compare to the atrocities of Emily’s wardrobe, it looks like how children would imagine adult women dressing, rather than being an accurate representation of a Paris local.
4. Menswear
Image via Forbes.
While he is a rather dreamy Parisian love interest, Gabriel’s outfits vary from boring hoodies to a chef’s coat. With such eclectic and out-there looks for the women in “Emily in Paris,” I think more could have been done with the men’s fashion in the show.
Image via Netflix.
Julien is often seen channeling his inner 2012 Harry Styles with blazers over casual looks, and while I loved that back in the day, it’s definitely an outdated look for 2020.
Image via Spotern.
This suit on Julien would have been amazing if it had been tailored better to fit the actor and paired with less blue.
The fashion in “Emily in Paris” was disappointing to say the least. However, in an interview with Fashionista Magazine, Field explained that Emily’s fashion sense was supposed to replicate her lack of sophistication in comparison to her Parisian peers. While I might hate every outfit in this show, I do think Field achieved her goal in this rather effectively – the fashion in “Emily in Paris” seems to emulate a kindergartner’s dream dress-up collection.