Netflix 's limited series "The Queen's Gambit " dethroned "Emily In Paris" as the best show on Netflix forfashion .- Protagonist Beth Harmon stuns in period clothing that could easily be worn in modern times, acting as an aspirational model for viewers.
- In addition, many of Beth's outfits act as commentary on her experiences, adding another layer to the dynamic show.
The internet was all aflutter when Netflix dropped "Emily In Paris" in October.
People had plenty of criticism of the show, but they worshipped the high-fashion looks that filled its episodes.
But Netflix's latest sensation dethroned Emily as the fashion icon of the streaming world.
'The Queen's Gambit' is the best show on Netflix for fashion
The limited series "The Queen's Gambit" dropped just three weeks after "Emily In Paris," bringing viewers into Beth Harmon's wonderful world of chess.
The show follows Beth's chess career and struggles with addiction throughout the 1960s. And she does both in
Whether she's twirling in an expensive dress or studying in a sweater, Beth's clothes are a focal point of the series.
The show takes place in the '50s and '60s, but Beth's wardrobe still feels surprisingly accessible for a modern viewer.
Some of her ensembles are clearly dated, but many of the skirts, pants, and tops Beth wears could easily be worn today.
As a result, the show acts as both a decadent homage to fashion of the past and a mood board for how vintage couture can function in the modern world.
Beth looks stylish for most of the show, but she hits her fashion peak in the second half of the series when she finally has the resources to buy the clothes she's always admired.
The later episodes are also when Beth's clothes take on greater meaning, as she's able to choose her clothing more intentionally.
Beth's wardrobe acts as a way for her to embrace her femininity
Her affinity for clothes is established early in the series as Beth wanders a department store, eyeing the clothes she can't afford.
And when she finally can buy the clothes she's dreamed of, Beth gravitates towards feminine items in bright colors, many of which she wears to her chess matches. And although she wears pants throughout the show, she's always in a skirt or dress when she's in competition.
Beth's choice to embrace feminine couture seems intentional, as it further separates her from the men she plays against.
Rather than trying to be "one of the boys" in her male-dominated field, Beth instead embraces her otherness by wearing the most glamorous and womanly clothing she can find.
She stands out against every man she plays because of her gender, but her clothes make that separation more of a choice. They sit across from her in plain suits or button-downs (save for Benny, who opts for his statement leather jacket), while Beth wows in colorful ensembles as she crushes her opponents.
Because she's wearing outfits that scream womanhood, Beth's opponents can't ignore that they've been beaten by a girl, so her clothes almost act as a taunt against the misogyny she faces throughout her career.
From sassy pleated skirts to fabulous dresses, Beth's clothes help her show that her gender can be a strength instead of a weakness.
The show also uses fashion as a commentary on Beth's life experiences
Beth's clothes usually make a statement, but on a few occasions throughout the show, her fashion also seems to send a specific message to viewers.
For instance, when Beth breaks her sobriety in Paris, she shows up to her match against Borgov in a light-green dress.
As Insider's Kim Renfro noted, the dress is made of the exact same colors as her tranquilizers, highlighting that she's fallen off the wagon.
Her clothes complement the things happening in her life again after she beats Borgov in Russia.
Beth dons a monochromatic white look complete with a white cap on the day she's supposed to head back to the US.
The ensemble mimics the look of a queen chess piece, nodding to her success.
"The idea, of course, is to convey that she is now the queen on the chessboard and the chessboard itself is the world," Gabriele Binder, the show's costume designer, said in an interview with Vogue.
So not only does Beth look fabulous on "The Queen's Gambit," but her attire also makes the show more meaningful.
But the subtle beauty of Beth's clothes is the biggest reason to love the fashion in 'The Queen's Gambit'
The costume choices on "The Queen's Gambit" were clearly intentional, adding significance to the dramatic series.
But the escapism Beth's clothes offer is really what makes them a win for viewers.
Her clothes are just downright beautiful, and it makes them fun to look at. Plus, you can tell Beth loves wearing them.
Her indulgent love of clothes shines through in the outfits she wears, and I found myself mesmerized every time she came on screen, both because of the outfits themselves and the way the character felt in them.
I didn't feel that way as I watched "Emily In Paris," as the over-the-top looks the protagonist sported felt tired after a few episodes.
Beth has a reverence for her clothes, and the joy they bring her makes you anxious to see what she'll wear next as you watch the show.
Beth's wardrobe offers the perfect combination of attainable and aspirational fashion, serving as the cherry on top of an already fascinating show.
- Read more:
- 17 details you might have missed in 'The Queen's Gambit'
- Why the second-to-last chess match in 'The Queen's Gambit' is the most powerful game in the series
- 16 things you probably didn't know about 'The Queen's Gambit'
- A theory about Russian spies in 'The Queen's Gambit' explains one of the show's unanswered questions