It’s inevitable that much of the buzz surrounding rising star Elizabeth Olsen would focus on comparisons between “Lizzie” and her A-list twin sisters. In fact, the family resemblance is evident—the Olsen sisters share their wide, curious eyes, full lips and heart-shaped face—but in terms of personal style, it was clear early on that Elizabeth would have to put in some extra work to differentiate herself from the twins’ signature boho/hobo (depending on who’s talking about it) look.
Photo: nylonmag.com, movieline.com
Fashion Spot Forum tongues started wagging about Olsen when she made her first appearances in the spotlight at Cannes for her new film Martha Marcy May Marlene, and film critics soon followed suit, praising her for her outstanding acting chops portraying a haunted cult escapee. An onslaught of publicity ensued; she soon earned a spot on tFS’s Best Dressed and Beauty Look of the Week lists, was named V Magazine’s “New Ingenue,” posed for a spread in W Magazine, and graced the cover of Nylon’s “It Girl Issue.”
Photos: V Magazine, celebutopia.net
Amid constant speculation about the influence her sisters’ would have on her style, Olsen’s whirlwind of international appearances for the film have given us plenty of opportunity to get a good look at her emerging personal style. On the red carpet, she favors Chanel couture, unexpected shapes, and fairly conservative cuts—the plunging necklines and thigh-high slits of other starlets are refreshingly absent.
Photos: Andres Otero/WENN.com, WENN.com, Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com
At the Museum of Modern Art film opening in NYC, she wore a unique red-lined LBD from the Chanel Fall 2009 couture collection which featured a belted empire waist and a calla lily-like train, and her hair was styled in glamorous Veronica Lake waves. She wore another Chanel look, this time from the Spring 2011 collection, to the MMMM screening in London, a pale pink two-piece dress with a frothy tulle skirt and square neck sweater top. At the premiere of the film in NYC, her head-to-toe Alexander McQueen look and topknot hairstyle caught the eyes of many a fashion blogger.
Photos: zimbio.com, Ian Wilson/WENN.com, socialitelife.com
To accept the Calvin Klein Emerging Star Spotlight award at the 18th Annual Women in Hollywood Tribute, Olsen of course wore a look by the designer, a floor-length metallic shift with a baggy shape that drew undeniable comparisons to her sisters. Olsen had so many dynamic looks promoting the film at the Toronto International Film Festival, it was hard to keep up with her. Forum users agreed she looked lovely in a floral Erdem silk crepe-de-chine dress with a keyhole detail, and her black Carven cocktail dress was adorably accessorized with Chanel pins and Vivienne Westwood pom-pom pumps.
Photos: zimbio.com, I. Kavanaugh/WENN.com, hqcelebspics
Pretty as her red carpet looks are, something about her obviously laid-back personality makes it seem like she’s playing dress-up; it’s in her casual looks and on the street where Olsen’s personal style really shines. At a Hollywood Foreign Press Association luncheon, she wore a menswear-inspired sheer blouse and rust skirt by T by Alexander Wang with statement jewelry and sandals, and her leather skirt, Isabel Marant top and Jewelmint necklace in Toronto was a forum-favorite outfit. Her flawless hair and makeup at a photocall allowed her natural beauty to take center stage, bringing to mind Claire Danes’ unusual features, and Scarlett Johansson’s sultry appeal.
Photos: zimbio.com, glamourmagazine.co.uk, Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com
She’s unabashed about her laid-back style; in an interview with Glam.com, she said, “The whole fashion thing makes me nervous!” and described her personal style as “comfortable and a little masculine.” Nervous or not, her polka dot skirt, cobalt pumps, and jacket with leather sleeves were on-trend as she left Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Speaking with Elle Girl, she described her style influences (besides the obvious): “I used to be strictly Annie Hall in high school. I would wear the hat and suspenders and all the button-up shirts and masculine pants.” This tomboyish-ness worked for her in this paparazzi snap outside Whole Foods, wearing a loafers, sweater, and sunglasses combo that echoes Kirsten Dunst’s hipster prep. She looked put-together and sophisticated at an Apple store wearing a printed ASOS blazer and Louboutin beaded moccasins, carrying a Louis Vuitton duffel.
Despite easy comparisons to Hollywood favorites—Maggie Gyllenhall’s sweet and quirky approachability is often thrown in—it’s most obvious in these casual candids why we’re falling in love with Elizabeth Olsen. In the words of forum users, she has an undeniable down to earth quality, genuine smile, and “a lot of potential to be the next fashionable ‘it’ actress.” [theFrenchy]
