“Anne with an E” on Netflix: a cast straight out of the books, magical shots of Prince Edward Island, and most importantly – costume design that is the icing on that blueberry pie, or whatever it is they keep baking on the show. Here’s some inspiration from the show’s wardrobe, and suggestions on how to wear those 1900s styles in 2020.
Background for newcomers: At the beginning of the previous century, Lucy Maud Montgomery published a series of eight novels about the life of Anne Shirley. Anne is a romantic, opinionated, redheaded orphan who is mistakenly sent to live with bachelor and spinster siblings, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Anne is received at the Cuthbert’s farmhouse with love, but not without a few obstacles. Practical Marilla and conservative members of the community simply don’t get Anne’s dreamy, chatty nature.
The show on Netflix – three seasons – is a must if you devoured the novels as a kid. Also an absolute must if you have a daughter old enough to watch 45 minute-long episodes, but not too old to want (or at least agree) to spend some quality time with you.
In general, the screenplay closely tracks the novels’ plot. But to keep up with the zeitgeist, new storylines have been added which relate to topics such as racism, feminism, LGBT, and puberty. If you have that daughter I mentioned before, many episodes may usher in some very important talks.
Also very important – the outfits:
Puff Sleeves
Reoccurring outfit discussions reoccur between Anne and Marilla and reveal the clash between Anne’s aesthetic sensibility and Marilla’s practical approach (to fashion and, figuratively, to life in general):
The puff sleeves from Anne’s dreams made a (literally) big comeback last summer. This season they swelled to enormous dimensions. Their advantage – producing a silhouette that is voluminous and yet delicately feminine. Another benefit – it creates a balanced proportion between the upper and lower body.
2020 puff sleeves rec: Ceceilie Bahnsen (also available on Farfetch)
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Lace
On “Anne With an E” the Barry family is the local aristocracy. While the farm wives wear buttoned-up cotton shirts and cotton dresses, Mrs. Barry’s status is revealed by her Victorian lace-trimmed blouses:
A lace-trimmed blouse – because you always knew that your blood is blue.
2020 lace blouses rec: Sea (also available on shopbop)
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Straw hats
If this world made any sense, I would have been born when a hat was an item you couldn’t leave home without. I can’t leave the house without first applying on sunscreen, donning a hat, and sometimes even – I kid you not – with an umbrella that I deem parasol. Even if you’re not a “hat person,” watching a show where everyone wears hats all the time certainly elevates this accessory’s status. The style that most spoke to my heart on the show is the straw, flat-brimmed, aka boater hat:
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2020 boater hats rec: San Diego Hat Company (also available on Nordstrom)
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Prairie skirts and dresses
Marilla Cuthbert’s chic is something I would embrace if I could pull it off and not look like a Haredi it’s ok if not everyone is familiar with the term) school teacher. Geraldine James is noble as Marilla, in maxi skirts and buttons all the way up to her chin:
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2020 prairies skirts rec: Marc Jacobs (also available on Shopbop)
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Personal Example
As a tribute to Anne, my 40th (!) birthday party outfit this year was a slightly puffed sleeved dress by the Israeli designer Ruhama:
When it comes to puff sleeves, are youTeam Marilla or Team Anne? Leave a comment below!