Is Method Dressing Really Over? Two Vogue Writers Debate

This year, method dressing was bigger than ever, with Dune: Part Two, Challengers, It Ends With Us, Furiosa, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Wicked all proving ripe opportunities for theme dressing. But it also reached a boiling point. While we covered it relentlessly here at Vogue, we also declared that it had grown stale. So, will stylists take heed in 2025, or have we reached a new normal? Below, Vogue fashion writers Christian Allaire and Hannah Jackson discuss.

Hannah Jackson: Hi Christian! We talk a lot about method dressing around the office. But I’ll ask you here, on the record: What is your stance on method dressing?

Christian Allaire: My god, method dressing really took over this year, huh? At first, I was charmed by it: it was fun to see how actors could nod to their films with their red carpet choices. Zendaya, with her tennis flick Challengers, did it well—finding chic looks in different shades of tennis ball green. But now, I feel like it is fast becoming overkill. Not every single movie needs method dressing. And in some cases, it’s actually becoming lazy; gimmicky, versus creative. How have you been feeling about it all?

HJ: I completely agree. With Barbie it felt innovative and appropriate in the context. Like, of course Margot Robbie is going to wear all of these campy, fabulous outfits when she’s promoting a pretty lighthearted film about a doll. But not every film should lean on method dressing. Blake Lively caught a lot of flack earlier this year when she promoted It Ends With Us in a litany of floral outfits—her character was a florist—which some people took as making light of the domestic violence plot. You’re right, method dressing is gimmicky and, dare I say, boring. My biggest gripe is that it just seems like another way to squeeze as much promotion as possible out of a film, which really kills the creativity. Where do you think method dressing will go next year?

CA: We’re at an interesting point where it’s sort of reached its peak. But I really don’t think it will go away just yet. Considering some of the biggest films of 2025—Snow White, Frankenstein, Wicked 2, the new Bridget Jones—I think we will continue to see stars nod to their characters with their fashion choices. I feel like it could work well for films like Frankenstein—bring on the macabre designs, baby! I am quite curious how Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande will follow up their first Wicked press tour. Surely, they have run out of pink and green gowns. What are you hoping to see next year?

HJ: One can NEVER run out of pink and green gowns, Christian! I don’t think we have to go back to red carpet dressing as it was—which we also know can often be a snooze—but I think we need to tone method dressing way down. I love what Harry Lambert and Emma Corrin are doing for the Nosferatu press tour thus far. In their sheer McQueen and Saint Laurent they’re managing to walk the line between modern dressing and a light homage to their film. Is there anyone you think is doing it well?

CA: I was thinking about this year’s biggest movies, and—not to wax poetic about Lily Gladstone, my favorite—but she really did it right during the Killers of the Flower Moon press tour. Using her platform to spotlight Indigenous designers, for a film about revisiting an important aspect of Indigenous history. Her looks were thoughtful and intentional—method, even—without hitting you over the head. I’m really all about stars who do it in a subtle way. Not everything needs to be screaming for attention. That’s why, I feel, Nosferatu has also been successful. Emma Corrin’s looks are slightly eerie but in a way that feels modern and chic. Lily-Rose has just been wearing, like, Chanel. Which I also appreciate—her just doing her own thing.

HJ: Yeah, Lily-Rose Depp looked so great in that 2010 Chanel dress at the London premiere. It really felt like her, while still paying homage to the film—just like Emma Corrin. I haven’t seen Emilia Perez, but Selena Gomez seems to be sticking to what she likes to wear—a lot of black and white—to which I say: good for her! Same goes for Angelina Jolie, who could have very easily leaned into Callascore for Maria, but remains steadfast in her love of trench coats, black dresses, and pumps. I think Saoirse Ronan has also done a great job with Danielle Goldberg promoting The Outrun and Blitz. The only real nod to her film The Outrun has been through the teal palette she wears sometimes, but she isn’t married to it. Where do you think we go from here?

CA: Hopefully we will continue to see the more subtle approaches. I do think method dressing this year has really captured people’s interest, and some people really love it, so part of me doesn’t hate for it to continue on in 2025—who am I to ruin people’s fun? But I wonder if a new approach will emerge next year. Maybe it will be improv dressing versus method—more spontaneity, please!