Amanda Woods (AKA the best winter wardrobe ever seen on screen)
Where are you up to in the annual obligatory seasonal movie watch list? Im doing ok, getting there, done all the important ones, Home Alone, Love Actually (agreed its aged badly but it still does it for me) Christmas Chronicles and of course, The Holiday, which considering it was made in 2006, just 3 years after Love Actually it still feels modern and relevant, particularly the fashion. if you have seen it you will know I’m referring to Cameron Diaz’s character, Amanda Woods incredible wardrobe, if you haven’t seen the film, where have you been? In a nutshell it's a love story, Jude Law is in his prime and Kate Winslet is adorable.
Despite the A-list cast it is Cameron Diaz’s wardrobe that is the stand out star, her character a wealthy Hollywood Editor takes a trip to rural England at Christmas time and thanks to costume designer Marlene Stewart everything from her loungewear to her outerwear had me hooked. The colour palette was heavy on ivory, with accents of black and grey with shearling trims and luxurious knitwear for texture, it screamed rich, despite a lack of obvious designer logos, the clothes were from Valentino & Dior among others, this was quiet luxury before that was a term.
Hard to believe it now but back in 2006, we didn’t get to know the level of detail about movies we do now, today a film or series is barely out of the starting blocks and each outfit is broken down, wardrobe identified and copy cat versions strung together, none of which exists for the Holiday so the only option is for me to break down why Camerons on set wardrobe is so.damn.good.
Starting with her casuals, there are no prints, just the merest hint of a stripe in her scarf, cosy cable knits in shades of cream and beige and her pale grey sweatpants paired with the softest lilacs, which is a subtle but delicious colour combination, Chinti & Parker have Wool & Cashmere Lounge pants in grey for £95.00
Polo & turtle necks are used repeatedly as layering tools under a fantastic selection of winter coats that in real life would never survive a British Winter, cream shearling collars and oatmeal sheepskin coats, all topped with a milky knitted beret, practical? no. But remember this is Hollywoods imagining of British winter coats, St Tropez at John Lewis have the perfect polo necks to recreate her look in colours Ice & Pearl Grey for £34.99
My favourite outfit comes in the final chapter of the film when Diaz is seen wearing the most stunning cream pencil midi skirt I’ve ever seen, I imagine its a wool crepe with a little stretch, it still eludes me which is probably why I still think about it, I’m hoping for my Hollywood ending, for us to be together one day, but this skirt might be the one that got away.
