Sienna Miller is right, ‘do-not-fancy-me’ clothes are the defining look of the decade
“The more unattractive I can make myself, the less flesh I can possibly show, the better,” the actress Sienna Miller told WWD in an interview recently. “I used to be quite flirty and sexy, and now it’s just like, ‘do-not-fancy-me’ clothes.”
Miller is not alone in finding her penchant for baggy dresses and cocooning knits; being all covered up is a mood change that is dominating both the runways and real life right now. What are the most-worn pieces in your wardrobe of the last month? I beta ma xi dress, an over sized jumper and baggy, boyfriend jeans play pivotal roles ...
When Miller first hit our screens and style radars in the early 2000s, her look was, as she says “flirty and sexy”. Gypsy miniskirts, babydoll camisoles and denim hot-shorts were considered suitable red carpet attire for every young Hollywood star, especially those thriving on the new wave of share-it-all, bare-it-all reality TV. Now, just as they always have though, our antennae for what’s cool has reacted, and as that old sexy look reached saturation, our pendulums have swung back in the opposite direction.
Throughout fashion history, it has often taken until the later part of a decade for all the bubbling micro trends to boil up and reveal the marco movement of the era. The mini skirts that headline the 1960s style scene on paper weren’t popular until after 1966, after all. For the 2010s though? Our defining look won’t be the odd “naked dresses” that have peppered the red carpet when a show-off celebrity stepped out hell-bent on going viral (for the record, it worked the first time when Rihanna did it, but no one has batted an eye lid since ). It’ ll be all the enveloping and fluid silhouettes that we’ve been wearing in the real world that generations to come will look back on and call “vintage”.
This summer’s collections offer a snapshot of what’s truly sexy now — voluminous blouses with ankle-grazing skirts at Céline, shoulder-padded trench coats at Balenciaga, the prettiest bell sleeves at Valentino — a true statement from a round of summer shows. No flesh to be found, wherever you look; so long to any consideration for a male’s gaze. “I’m quite into quite masculine workman’s clothes,” Miller said. “I keep getting drawn to big, baggy, sort of chimney-sweeper trousers and tweeds. High-waisted, bunched-up things and slightly odd shoes.” Tick, tick, tick, to all the hottest trend boxes, for this season and several to come.
The recent demise of the pin-up’s go-to, Agent Provocateur, plus a new wave of lingerie brands putting the wearer’s comfort first, all sound the changes. Naomie Harris wearing Gucci tulle was a standout look from the BAFTAs. Ruth Negga, the breakout star of the season, navigated the Oscars, the Golden Globes and more in stunning full lengths and full sleeves. Even Melania Trump has covered up, choosing a high neck Ralph Lauren jacket for her first official portrait last week.
Popular style crushes of our decade, alongside Miller, include Michelle Obama, Amal Clooney and the Du chess of Cambridge—all seemingly conservative dressers. My personal favourite is Leandra Medine, the street style star who launched her offkilter Man Repeller blog based on this very styling concept at the start of the 2010s, and now, by 2017, has grown it into a multifaceted business spanning books, podcasts and a footwear collection. Perhaps she saw it all coming years ago.
Being sexy now isn’t about baring cleavage, or “getting your legs out” for summer. The things that turn us on have changed; a perfectly cut trouser suit, an easy trench, or an airy summer dress that leaves more to the imagination. It’s more grown up, Miller has found, and it’s miles more seductive, too.
I’m quite into quite masculine workman’s clothes. I keep getting drawn to big, baggy, sort of chimney sweeper trousers and tweeds. High-waisted, bunched-up things and slightly odd shoes.” Sienna Miller, in an interview with WWD