Emily McMaster’s 6 Favorite Movies for Kid Fashion Inspo
Why can’t a toddler dress like Jean Seberg in Breathless?
Mabo Kids designer Emily McMaster studied film, not fashion—and it turns out her cinema-studies degree may have actually proven more useful than a sewing class. “I get a lot of inspiration for my collections from movies. And not just kids’ movies,” she says. Here, her source material, G-rated and otherwise. —raquel laneri
Miracle on 34th Street
“I can’t say it’s one of my favorite movies. But we watched it this Christmas with our daughters, and I’d take every piece in Natalie Wood’s wardrobe for my daughters’ closets—or mine! Winter bonnets, plaid coats, fur collars, and cozy holiday pajamas and robes.”
Never Let Me Go
“This is one of my favorite books, by Kazuo Ishiguro. In the film, the haunting juxtaposition of the beautiful bucolic countryside with the dystopian, sci-fi story is so perfectly enhanced by the timelessness of the clothing—earth tones, peter pan collars, nubby sweaters, stocking caps, wellies, and subtle florals—on the kids and then young adults. They’re so classic they don’t feel specific to any particular era.”
Breathless
“Who isn’t inspired by the ageless and timeless style of the French New Wave characters, young and old? Turtlenecks, pixie pants, berets, and striped shirts!”
7 Up
“I love the entire Up series for so many reasons—watching the evolution of the kids’ styles over the years, seeing how their clothing reflects their classes and personalities. But I particularly love 7 Up. The little boys in shawl-collar sweaters, tweed suits, ties, and jaunty hats, and the girls in cardigans, wool skirts, stockings, and, in one scene, adorably simple little ballet outfits.”
Hope and Glory
“I watched this again recently and was smitten with the adorable 1940s British clothes on both the boys and girls. Tweed trouser shorts and blazers on little boys; simple dresses, headscarves, and wool pinafores on the girls.”
Picnic at Hanging Rock
“I love this eerie movie and the breezy, ethereal white school dresses that the girls wear while picnicking. As a mom to two little girls, there’s a constant battle between their desire to wear frills and ruffles and my more pared-down choices for them, but these dreamy, linen dresses, long locks, and bows are kind of magical for everyone. Little Botticelli angels! Also, who says you can’t hike in a dress?”
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In Character: Felicity Shagwell
“Get in my belly,” “Mini-me, you complete me,” “I’m dead sexy”—there’s no forgetting Austin Powers. Or Heather Graham prancing around all long legs, big hair, and doe eyes. This is how she rocked it as a CIA agent who went to great lengths to place that tracking device. —erica
A crocheted Viva Vena! dress that matches the beam of that GD laser…and Fat Bastard’s back hair.
The sort of Parker romper that’s still hot in 1999.
Vince over-the-knee boots, ideal for a jaunt to Dr. Evil’s moon base.
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In Character: Alien
Spring Breakers isn’t really about role models—fashion or otherwise. And while we’re not exactly advocating for ripping off James Franco’s rapper-slash-dealer look in its entirety, you’ve gotta give the man props for really *going for it*. Here’s how it’s done. —erica
The sort of beachy Gitman Vintage shirt that goes damn well with the yard-drink environs.
A Human Potential hat, to add to the number of chains he can wear on his person.
Tom Ford shield sunglasses that make him look real ‘spicious.
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In Character: Roberta Martin
The second best thing about Now and Then—after the soundtrack—is the fashion. And while there’s a lot to love about Teeny’s pudding-boob-enhancing tops and Chrissy’s pink everything, the one who cares the least about clothes does it best. See how Roberta—played by Christina Ricci, she of the perfect forehead—plays it. —erica
The sort of Rachel Antonoff shirt that makes that Wormer boy (Devon Sawa!) see her as the girl she is.
Kut from the Kloth jean shorts conducive to a serious game of softball—or a brawl.
The sort of Suno slip-ons that say, “I live on a cul-de-sac where there are block parties.”
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In Character: Janey Glenn
A movie about a dance competition starring young Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt? WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE?! Here’s how SJP—as new-kid-in-town Janey Glenn—made Girls Just Want to Have Fun one of those slumber-party classics. —erica
Some sort of fashion-y overall creation (this from Washborn) that can be torn away to reveal a DTV-ready costume.
A Boy by Band of Outsiders plaid skirt—key component of the Holy Grace uniform that passes for a fashion risk at tryouts.
This Nightcap situation—because it’s basically illegal to make an eighties dance movie without a wide-neck gray sweatshirt.
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In Character: Sherri Ann Cabot
Sherri Ann is responsible for the unconditional love. And the decorative abilities. Here’s how the two-time Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show winner —and American Bitch magazine founder—gets ready to beat the shih tzu out of the competition. —erica
Lizzie Fortunato earrings that match her pearlescent lips.
Rhapsody in White…on very fitted black Markus Lupfer.
Fur, always with the fur—this time c/o Rachel Zoe.
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In Character: Jo Stockton
Forget the tea-length wedding dress and the XL hats—what makes Audrey Hepburn’s Funny Face character so memorable and damn endearing is what she was wearing while Bonjour, Paris-ing and giving long-winded speeches about empathicalism. Here, three key components. —erica
A Labour of Love dress suited for days spent sorting books at Embryo Concepts.
An A.P.C. jacket—to philosophize with all the guys around Montmartre.
The sort of Dieppa Restrepo shoes ideal for expressing yourself through dance.
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Of a Kind
This Creatures of the Wind dress feels straight outta Funny Face: “Red is dead, blue is through, green’s obscene, brown’s taboo. THINK PINK.” —erica
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In Character: Noah Calhoun
Remember, many moons ago, when Ryan Gosling was an actor and not a phenomenon? Before his appeal was the basis of blog-to-book deals? Well, here’s how he dressed for the sob-fest role that really got things going. —erica
The sort of working man’s Fischer henley that gets him called an “unsuitable match.”
A Lock & Co. hat that’s somehow approp for a first date or a day at the beach.
A red blanket—here, by Best Made Co.—that is ostensibly a supporting character.
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In Character: Mitch Robbins
Remember City Slickers? Remember Billy Crystal in that Mets hat? REMEMBER NORMAN?! (In case you somehow don’t recall plot points from a 1991 comedy, Norman is the calf that Billy-as-Mitch delivers and brings back to NYC, guys.) Here’s hoping you never forget any of this, with a guide to how BC dressed for his very first cattle drive. —erica
A Journal Standard shirt that looks appropriately worn-in after the river crossing with the herd.
A Rising Sun vest really sells the idea of a midlife-crisis adventure.
A Staple Design cap—in hometeam colors—to wear until Curly’s cowboy hat seems essential.
You wouldn’t believe all the “In Character” we have up our sleeves. Dive in here.
