The Perfect Couple: Nicole Kidman's Epic Wardrobe

The Perfect Couple: Nicole Kidman's Epic Wardrobe

Screen wardrobes tend to be most eye-catching when the show involved is a period drama and we can marvel at wildly elaborate dresses, but it's rare to find a contemporary release that stops you in your tracks. But, lately it seems that when Nicole Kidman is on the cast, good wardrobe things happen. In Netflix's latest soapy drama, “The Perfect Couple,” (based on the book by Elin Hilderbrand and directed by “The Night Manager” director Susanne Bier) Kidman revels, wriggles, and relishes in the role of Greer Garrison Winbury, the highly strung matriarch of one of Nantucket’s wealthiest families. Without giving away too much of the plot, on the eve of her son's wedding, one of the guests is found dead - chaos ensues everywhere other than Kidman's wardrobe, which becomes a reassuringly expensive bastion of keeping calm and carrying on! 

The plaudits, of course, must go to Danish costume designer Signe Sejlund, with whom Kidman had previously worked with on the HBO series The Undoing, which we wrote about here. Sejlund had to consult a friend who lived in Nantucket to get the low-down on how East Coast high-society moved and dressed, with one of the first and perhaps strangest idiosyncrasy coming by way of the 'Nantucket reds', which refer to red trousers which everyone apparently wears. Surely this trend must originate from the British upper class penchant for red trousers but who knows?

But onto Kidman's wardrobe, which is notable for its array of blues, creams, and whites, which Sejlund used to complement the stunning seascapes but to also reinforce Greer's wealthy status. Being based in Nantucket, there was naturally a preference for nautical-inspired style, and in order to create a sense of the Garrison Winburys being uber rich, Sejlund adopted an unstructured, neutral-tone wardrobe with virtually no branding - all very 'quiet luxury'. Being Danish, one can certainly see Sejlund nod to elements of Scandi minimalism, too.

Greer's wardrobe is that fine balance of comfort, elegance, and power. Luxurious fabrics are its common denominator, with her casualwear leaning heavily on neutral-tone cashmere and wools, while the dressier side of her wardrobe consists of delicate silks and linen. Free-flowing layers is her signature off-duty vibe, with plenty bow-tied silk blouses, pencil skirts, and wrap knits, while for more formal occasions, long sculpted dresses with svelte silhouettes are used to show off Kidman's statuesque figure.
What we love about the wardrobe on the whole, is the way that understatement is a statement! It's proof that a restricted colour palette can be incredibly impactful when one uses clever layering and myriad textures to create depth and interest. Of course, Kidman always looks incredible in a body-con dress, but Sejlund's masterstroke is achieving that super rich look by largely omitting overt flamboyant and ostentation. It is considered luxury that strikes gold here. We also love the way the Sejlund plays with the formal and the casual, as in the picture below, layering a heavy knit belted cardigan over a stunning navy blue off-the-shoulder dress.
The entire series is a wonderful piece of costuming that perfectly enhances the personalities of the characters, highlighting their nuances and histories with aplomb. It's not just Kidman either - all of the female characters are quite different in their embracing of the 'wealthy' look, with younger New York influences jarring with the more sober and refined Nantucket aesthetic.  

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