As a show that revolves around a female chess prodigy, mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, and gender bias, Netflix's The Queen's Gambit has audiences riveted. However, apart from the meaty storyline, what has kept people transfixed are the fashionable costumes and the thoughtful use of hair and makeup to convey character progression.
Lead character Beth, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, starts with a very clean, no-makeup look to portray a vulnerable orphaned girl. Starting with this nearly blank canvas has allowed Daniel Parker, the show's hair and makeup designer, to use lip color and wigs to signal the character's shifts in her relationships and behavior.
Netflix's The Queen's Gambit serves audiences a stunning throwback to 1960s fashion and makeup.
As the show was set in the 1960s, the makeup and fashion stayed true to that era with winged eyeliner, red lips, and rosy cheeks. Twiggy's signature graphic eyeliner even made an appearance. Parkers shares with Popsugar that Old Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Natalie Wood influenced Beth's beauty looks.
Cop The Look
From "poor little orphan girl to really high glam" is how Parker describes his goals for Beth. In the seventh and final episode of the show, Beth marks a turning point for her character when she triumphs over her competitor in the male-dominated sport of chess. This winning moment is paired with an equally winning classic '60s look - darkly lined eyes, bold red lips, and that perfectly coiffed head of hair. In Parker's words, "The hair was beautifully satined, and the makeup was very, very sexy and red. Everything was done to look simply that: drop-dead gorgeous."
To replicate that stunning finale look, Marie Claire recommends the following:
MAC Matte Lipstick in Russian Red
MAC Eye Pencil in Coffee
Shu Uemura Flare False Eyelashes
Bobbi Brown Ink Eyeliner
Also read: Ariana Grande's '60s Makeup Takes Over TikTok
Dress Like A Queen
Speaking of stunning looks, the last thing people would have expected from a show that centered on professional chess was high fashion. But that's exactly what they got from costume designer Gabrielle Binder and why fashion magazines, left and right, have been featuring the show's costumes.
As Glamour Magazine writes, "A-line silhouettes, Peter Pan collars, miniskirts, boatnecks, bows, checks... it's while watching this show that many fans realized how much of a sartorial impact the period had on us today."
Popsugar has compiled a shopping list of the pieces you'll need to recreate Beth's best fashion moments:
Look 1: Matching Wool Overcoat, Beret Hat, and Gloves
Monki Wool Blend Coat Lauren Manoogian Woven Beret
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Gloves
Look 2: Button-Down Wool Overcoat in White, Check Print, or Pastel Colors
Sézane Aston Coat Stine Goya Margret Belted Wool-Blend Coat
& Other Stories Belted Button Up Wool Jacket
Look 3: Gingham One-Piece Swimsuit and Teddy-Textured Matching Robe
Solid & Striped The Ellery Gingham Swimsuit Oysho Gingham Triangle Swimsuit The White Company Hydrocotton Hooded Dressing Gown
Look 4: Peter Pan Collars, Boatnecks, and Sweetheart Blouses
Simple Retro Victoria 100% Cotton Peter Pan Collar Shirt Sézane Flora Jumper
Look 5: A-Line Midi Skirts and Miniskirts
Everlane the Mini Skirt Max Mara Leisure Midi Skirt
Look 6: Classic Black High-Neck Sweater
Look 7: A-Line Midi Dress With Shoulder or Neckline Detail
Karen Millen Eyelet Detail Midi Dress Warehouse Puff Sleeve V-Back Midi Dress
Look 8: Check-Print Pinafore Dresses
And there you have it—how to look and dress up like Beth Harmon.
Related article: Is the Queen's Secret to a Good Night's Sleep Just a Water Bottle?