Checkmate: The 4 winning fashion trends from The Queen’s Gambit

The new binge-worthy Netflix series is not only revitalizing interest for the game of chess, but also a love for 60s clothes.

This new Netflix series follows Beth, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, a talented young chess player growing up in a 1950s orphanage. We observe the young Beth rise up within a male dominated world, while battling against a drinking and drug addiction. The show has gained attention for its stylistic cinematography and iconic 60s wardrobe that you can act on now and ahead of spring.

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Beth’s signature style

Exaggerated collars

Throughout the series, we see Beth wearing dresses, blouses and coats with exaggerated and contrast collars – a trend that has been gaining momentum throughout 2020. Oversized and printed collars were widely noted at the Spring 2021 runway shows – spearheaded by designers such as Rodarte, Dolce & Gahanna, Batsheva and Alessandra Rich.

Peter pan collars, neckties, and cut-outs are all 60s details that have been adopted by mass retailers and will translate well into the seasons ahead.

For now: As various national and local lockdowns are announced over the coming weeks, virtual meetups will once again have significance. Exaggerated collars and neck detailing will work particularly well for virtual events and meetings.

For Spring 2021: Large and contrasting collars were added to shirts and dresses on the Spring 2021 runway – Rodarte and Dolce & Gabanna mixed wallpaper florals with solid block colors. Try lighter fabrications, shorter dress lengths and sleeveless shapes moving into the spring.

Cardigans

Beth wears knitwear layered with pinafore dresses as an adolescent and later pairs it with silk shirts and underwear for a more mature look.

This fall, cardigans have dominated knitwear arrivals across the market. Retailers featured the transitional pieces in seasonal email edits, where Mint Velvet declared the style as a must-have in its August 24th email. A detail to note within this product trend lays with embellished buttons.

For now: Cropped and half sleeve styles work well as tops in their own right for the in-between months – fancy button and collar details will elevate the fall basic. Moving into the colder months, chunkier weights, longer lengths and cable knit fabrications that can be layered over tops and dresses should be front and center.

For Spring 2021: Finer gauge fabrications and shorter sleeve lengths will carry the trend through to the spring. Take inspiration from the Erdem Spring 2021 show and add an ornamental button for a feminine take on the trend and to inflate pricing.

Lux loungewear

Beth is often seen, at home and on the road, wearing lux loungewear and pajama sets. Her varied looks progress from a simple house dress style in her time at the orphanage to striped and piped button-down pajama sets as she matures. Slouchy turtle necks and cardigans are seen styled with vest sets and simple bottoms for sophisticated off-duty looks.

Loungewear has been one of the biggest trends to emerge from this year. Elevated styles worked well as part of working from home wardrobes and Zoom call edits. Pajama dressing, a trend from a few seasons ago, has again appeared for Spring 2021 with silky co-ords noted at Joseph, 16Arlington, Rodarte and Naeem Khan.

For now: As we enter the colder months and lockdowns renew, loungewear will once again reign supreme. Knitted loungewear sets will add extra warmth and a feeling of lux for winter hibernation. Slouchy knitwear can be added in to at home edits alongside joggers and pajama sets.

For Spring 2021: Silky pajama-style sets will transition well from an elevated at-home staple to a post-lockdown spring look, paired with sandals. Smart joggers, tracksuits, bike shorts and oversized T-shirts were all noted at the Spring 2021 shows, proving that loungewear will still be relevant next year.

Vintage femme

A key trend to emerge from the Spring 2021 shows, Anya’s character is often pictured in lady-like dresses, blouses and coats. Bow details and oversized collars create a childlike and modest feel to her wardrobe – details that are already gaining traction within the mass market tops and dress categories.

Playful collars, ruffles, yoke detailing and voluminous sleeves were featured widely at the Spring 2021 shows. Batsheva, Rodarte and Genny led the way with whimsical and escapist collections.

For now: Fancy collars, ruffles and tie details will add a vintage femme charm to knitwear, dresses and shirts. Exaggerated collar shirts can be layered underneath dresses and cardigans for extra warmth. Voluminous midi length dresses work well as transitional pieces, while berets add the finishing touch that’s also relevant to the Emily in Paris hype of now.

For Spring 2021: This was one of the major stories to emerge over the recent runway shows. Designers championed house dresses and skirt suits as well as prints that gave off a retro vibe including houndstooth.

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