Glinda or Elphaba: Which Wicked character is inspiring your wardrobe?
Pretty-in-pink or green and grungey, how autumn’s biggest blockbuster is inspiring our winter wardrobes
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As one of the most highly anticipated films of 2024 hits UK cinemas on 22 November, Wicked is not just causing a scene in Hollywood, but has the fashion world in a flurry too. The film adaption of the legendary West End and Broadway musical is directed by John M Chu, stars A-list celebrities Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and is set to be a box office sell out – but it’s the characters’ styles, and the stars’ red, sorry green, carpet looks, that everyone is talking about.
A Wizard of Oz prequel, the plot goes (in simple terms): two young witches, Glinda and Elphaba, living in the Land of Oz strike up an unlikely friendship that soon turns to rivalry. With epic tunes and mesmerising costumes throughout, the film follows their relationship and how they become the Wicked Witch (Elphaba, played by Erivo) and the Good Witch (Glinda, played by Grande). Somewhat stereotypically, their fashion choices reflect their characters. Elphaba is green-skinned and dressed head-to-toe in black, from her spooky witch’s hat to her dark chunky boots, while Glinda is elegant and princess-like in cotton-candy pinks and girly dresses. Keeping in character, the stars have continued these looks off-screen too, and it seems they’re influencing others with their selective styles.
Since the Wicked film phenomenon started, Erivo and Grande have stayed true to their characters’ identities and sported their iconic styles at famous events including the Oscars, the Olympics and the film’s multiple premieres across the world. One is feminine: think light-coloured pastel palettes with lots of pink, frills and bows. The other is more rockstar chic: darker colours (plus lots of green) in more tailored, sharp designs. So which will you be channelling with your winter wardrobe? We’ve scoured Erivo and Grande’s most showstopping pieces to put together an edit of the top Wicked-inspired picks to buy now.
Go gothic-cool like Elphaba
Let’s start with Elphaba. Her signature colour is green – her skin is green and she tends to lean towards this colour in her dress, as well as darker hues such as deep blacks. Her style is dramatic with sharp cuts and structured silhouettes presenting a gothic, almost Halloween-esque aesthetic, giving Erivo plenty of fodder for inspiration for red carpet events, including this week’s premiere in London.
Hosted at the Royal Festival Hall, Erivo wore a pretty wicked black Schiaparelli couture dress, featuring ruffles, a harsh thigh-high slit showing off shimmering copper detailing and paired with killer heels, long black gloves and an eccentric headpiece. At the LA premiere, meanwhile, she opted for a vibrant green latex dress from Louis Vuitton paired with a fringed OTT cape, and at the Mexico premiere Erivo’s dress was a floor-grazing glittering style, with a structured waist for added drama and Elphaba energy.
Further back, at the Oscars Erivo wore a custom-made green Louis Vuitton leather dress, with mega sleeves and a matching cape, giving a bold and slightly seductive look while her appearance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris saw her in another emerald green Louis Vuitton dress with a wide-brimmed hat and pointed heels.
Inspired by her dark, dramatic, leather-loving style? Go daring and bold with a whole host of gothic-cool pieces, from Christallini Bette’s emerald green dress and 16 Arlington’s spooky sheer design to Leem’s studded leather midi and Whistles dark textured mini. Alternatively, go really witchy with Mitiliane Couture’s leather corset top and accessorise all with a pair of chunky platform boots (we love Louboutins).
Christallini Bette Midi Dress
16 Arlington Morfyd sheer organza midi dress
Leem Stud-embellished faux leather maxi dress
Whistles Sleeveless leather mini shift dress
Mitiliane Couture Leather corset top
Christian Louboutin Dune Trott Alta leather platform boots
Embrace your femininity like Glinda
Glinda’s style is a complete juxtaposition of Elphaba’s. She is much less witchy, more princess or fairy, favouring girly frames and pretty pinks, presenting her as a ‘good witch’ in a dainty, elegant manner. Ariana Grande has also kept in character with her dress choices at recent global events – at the London premiere she was suitably dressed in a sensational yellow Ralph Lauren floor-length dress, with netted sleeves and a wispy train for a very whimsical look.
Grande showcased Glinda’s style at the Oscars in a flouncy, fluffy Giambattista Valli Haute Couture dress in a cute marshmallow pink, polished perfectly with dazzling Tiffany & Co jewellery. In LA she wore Thom Browne’s 1950s-style swing dress in a romantic pink and white gingham, while in New York Grande opted for Louis Vuitton in a shiny Barbie pink dress with peplum detailing and feminine jewellery by Lorraine Schwartz. For the Olympics, Grande joined Erivo in another Louis Vuitton piece, featuring a modest high neck and a bow at the waist for a rather demure and very mindful ensemble.
If this sounds up your street, look for pleats and bows as seen in Zimmermann’s lipstick-toned midi dress and Alice + Olivia’s jumper. Opt for scalloped trims, puffed sleeves and sparkly embellishments, like this gorgeous Self Portrait cardigan and Rebecca Vallance’s midi dress. Polish off with Cinderella-style pink ballet flats (Versace’s are perfection) and heart-shaped earrings from Kenneth Jay Lane.
Rebecca Vallance Rosita puff sleeve midi dress
Zimmermann Pleated plunge V-neck midi dress
Self Portrait crystal embellished knitted cardigan
Alice + Olivia Chase wool blend jumper
Versace bow-embellished ballet flats
CZ by Kenneth Jay Lane heart earrings
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