On October 23, Netflix’s hit original series The Queen’s Gambit was released to immediate acclaim. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, this coming-of-age drama follows the life and career of Beth Harmon – an orphaned chess prodigy – from the mid 1950s to that late 1960s. Within hours of its release on Netflix, my social media pages were flooded with pictures and videos of the series’ impressive costume design and the gorgeous styling of its protagonist. Although I started watching the show much later than many, I too quickly fell in love with the fashion featured within it! So, here’s the continuation of my Steal the Style series: a quick guide on how to achieve the late 1960s style of the talented chess champion, Elizabeth Harmon. Checkmate!
Chessboard Chic
One of the first things I noticed about the tone of the series was its lack of saturated colors with the exception of Beth Harmon’s red hair and her green pills. While one could easily interpret this as reflective of the gray-toned surroundings and her generally quiet and serious nature, it could also be connected to the game that plays a central role in her story: chess. Our protagonist’s iconic wardrobe indicates Beth’s strong, unbreakable connection and long history with the game. It’s also an ode to the checkerboard print as one of the biggest mod fashion fads of the mid-to-late 1960s. Popularized by London’s youth, mod fashion took the world by a storm with its short hemlines, graphic prints, and bold footwear. The subculture drew its inspiration from the music and fashion of the era. The first episode of The Queen’s Gambit begins in 1967, with an adult Beth in Paris right at the height of it!
As Beth’s career begins to take off, her style undergoes an amazing evolution. Because her wardrobe is both monochromatic and neutral, she generally appears quite chic and put together while in the public’s eye. It is also worth noting that during her infamous chess games, Beth shies away from extremely bright colors, high hems, or anything overly distracting. If you’d like to begin incorporating a little bit of her style into your wardrobe look for shift dresses in fun patterns, smart suits, turtle necks, and classy outerwear. Modern takes on the Mod fashions of the 1960s are easy to find thanks to recent trends (i.e. graphic sweater vests, monochromatic sets, and the revival of chunky, knee-high boots this past fall). As I said in my last article, a quick google search will reveal how many options are reminiscent of Beth’s outfits.
Neat Locks
The 1960s were all about challenging conformity, pushing the limits, and self-exploration and hair played a huge role in it! The emergence of women’s hairstyles like the beehive, the mop-top, and the flipped bob defined the time period. However, in The Queen’s Gambit, our clever protagonist wears her fiery locks in a simple but stylish bob. Why? Perhaps it is a nod towards her years spent at the orphanage where she learned to play chess. Her signature hairstyle does, however, undergo some slight changes with her budding career and altered circumstances. For example, as her blunt bangs gradually transform into soft side bangs, so does her setting pattern (she begins to wear it slightly waved). Her hairstyle is not unlike many of the popular hairstyles of today: it’s short, sweet, and timeless. To modernize Beth’s look, consider wearing your hair bobbed and banged with its natural texture. Remember: her focus is on the game! Her hair, as gorgeous as it is, is not something I would imagine her spending much time worrying about. But if you’re confident enough to try some red hair then, by all means, go for it! Just make sure you know how to give it the proper care and attention it deserves. You’ll be on your way to being a hair champion in no time.
Make it Mod
Lastly, have fun with your accessories! As mentioned earlier, Mod fashion was all about having fun with your look. For women, oversized sunglasses, bright stockings, and eye-catching jewelry were all part of achieving the Mod look. As Beth’s style becomes refined, we begin to see her incorporate accessories into her everyday wardrobe to complete her look. My absolute favorite examples of this can be found in the final episode, when she sports a lovely white jacket with all white accessories, white pants, and a black undershirt. The addition of the accessories is what makes the entire outfit so eye catching! So, start looking for unique pieces that will do the same for you. Try a search for mod-inspired accessories online or (safely) head out to your nearby thrift store and see what you can find.
And there you go, three tips on how to steal and modernize Beth Harmon’s award-winning style. Follow this guide, and you’ll have a wardrobe worthy of a winner. Remember, there are absolutely no rules when it comes to Mod fashion unlike a game of chess. I hope this guide helps. Fingers crossed for an amazing second season of the show!
Good luck!