All the Fashion I Loved and Hated in "The Queen's Gambit", on Netflix

Feb 21, 2021

As a pastime, watching new Netflix shows helps me to further analyze fashion and trends in the fashion industry.

The Queen’s Gambit has helped me appreciate the fashion in the show’s time period and the reasons behind certain looks.

The Queen’s Gambit follows the storyline of the main character, Beth, as she grows up from a child through her 20’s, taking place from 1958 to 1968.

Needless to say, you can expect poodle skirts, hot roller curled hair, and a lot of plaid to appear while watching The Queen’s Gambit.

Here are some of my favorite looks from the show, and some pieces that I think should never be resurrected from the decade.

Loved:

Jewel Tones

Beth wears vibrant jewel tones like dark greens and reds. Not only does this look good on her cool skin tone and bright red hair, but it makes the main character stand out in an environment where she is the only female chess player. The 1960’s was a decade of color, and Beth exemplifies it.

The Checkered look

This classic pastel checkered look is very indicative of the time period, but is still in style today. Swap out the pleated pea coat for a lightweight shacket, and they are basically the same look. I love these bright colors and the vintage pattern for upcoming Spring months. I would definitely wear something like this to a morning out for brunch, shopping on the weekends, or just exploring a new city.

All White

Beth’s classy all white outfit here reminds me of the outfit Jennifer Lopez wore to the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. It's chic, its timeless, and the monochromatic look can make any outfit instantly more elegant. I may just have to recreate the look and treat myself to a new pea coat.

A-line Skirts + Cat Eye Sunglasses

In this look we can see a major shift from the early 1960’s to the late 1960’s because of the fashion staples true to the time period. Cat eye sunglasses became extremely popular after Audrey Hepburn wore them in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” -- a true iconic moment in fashion history, and here Beth is wearing them with an A-line mini skirt and blouse. I personally love this look and I am so happy that cat eye sunglasses are back in style.

Although there are so many classic styles that emerged from the 1950’s and 1960’s time period, I am not a fan of many of the fashion trends like the day dress, bullet bras, and faux neckties. You will never catch me wearing any of these misguided outfit choices from The Queen’s Gambit.

Hated:

The 1950’s Day Dress

It’s boxy, it’s unflattering, and in all honesty the bodice looks more like an ace bandage than a woman’s dress. The colors are muted and boring, this dress screams the 1950’s even more than Beth’s loafer shoes and white socks combo.

Bullet Bras

Ask me what’s more uncomfortable and unflattering than a bullet bra? A straight jacket perhaps? Wooden clogs, maybe. It comes as no surprise to me that just two short years later, the 1970’s was the era of women burning their bras. I personally cannot fathom wearing something so uncomfortable, I barely have enough stamina to keep a modern-day bra on for a regular 9-5 day, free the nipple.

Fau Neck/ Bow Tie

What is the point of this trend? It’s weird, it gets in the way, and it adds extra weight to your neckline. If I wanted to look professional, I would just wear a suit, not add an ugly faux tie to an already unflattering dress. Not to mention the black and sea-foam green colors make for such a weird color palette. This outfit gives me schoolteacher mixed with movie theater attendant and mint chocolate chip ice cream vibes and they do not go well together.

If you loved or hated any of these trends, then you should watch the show and decide for yourself, is your style more 1950’s throwback, or 1960’s cool girl?