That's Hot: The Olsen Twins
I'm obsessed with the Olsen twins. When I was younger I loved to rent their movies at Blockbuster, and imagine myself as Mary-Kate's character in New York Minute, or joining in riding on the back of Italian boys' mopeds in When In Rome. I think I've seen every Mary-Kate and Ashley movie. I always thought they were so gorgeous and I adored them enviously. Now they've become wealthy recluses, occasionally papped in New York City having a smoke outside their studios, or dashing to dinner with friends at extremely expensive restaurants. They date men 10 to 20 years their seniors, they wear billowing black kaftans to awards shows, and they almost never smile. I know that Ashley favors an oversized silhouette and that Mary-Kate recently replaced her omnipresent Starbucks cup with a more sustainable Keep Cup. I know and love the Olsen twins so well that if I could move in and become their triplet sister, hidden away from the world and crafting meticulous minimalist designer clothing while no doubt casting curses upon those that would write bad reviews about our shows, I would be happy as a clam.
In our current age of social media, camera phones, and news inundation, everyone can make themself a star. Ironically, it's often the stars themselves who are a bit more careful with what information they share to the public, and have built themselves curated social media presences to protect themselves. However, it's still rare for public figures to be recluses in this day and age. It's harder to hide, what with our Alexas listening in on us, and every fan now representing a paparazzi with their stealthy camera phones. Yet somehow, Mary-Kate and Ashley have managed to obtain the impossible, and together they have formed a highly exclusive, secretive world. I like to imagine they speak to each other in a made up twin language that know one else can interpret. This mystery, combined with their effortless chic when they do make the rare appearance, and their absolute adherence to their vices (coffee and cigarettes, in a day and age when "wellness" is the buzzword on everyone's tongues), makes me crave to know even more. From child stars thrust into the public eye to their retraction into their fashion empires in their adult lives, they have remained fashion idols of mine the whole time.
The first and most important key to an Olsen look is black. Although they do occasionally branch out to other neutrals or to navy blue, mysterious black is the Olsen twins' bread-and-butter. The girls pull this off with interesting oversized silhouettes and the mixing of textures. In Mary-Kate's above all-black ensemble you can see that her giant fur vest and scarf are carried off with skinny jeans, a tight bun, and a sleek pointed boot. Being people of tiny stature, I'm sure they've developed their signature style as a way to look more mature and be taken more seriously. Black certainly helps them look less childlike, which is especially important when Mary-Kate's husband is so tall and she is as short as his pre-teen daughter.
As I've already mentioned a couple times, the Olsen look is minimalist but oversized. They love generous coats, sunglasses, and purses. You can almost imagine that they each carry around a copy of The Book from The Devil Wears Prada everywhere they go in those huge bags, each look in their next runway show carefully labeled with little sticky notes. They rarely do bling these days, preferring tailoring and basics to trendy pieces; They create trends, not follow them. Ash especially favors an oversized silhouette, breaking short-girl fashion rules about making herself look taller and leaner in favor of huge billowing white button ups and slouchy dad slacks. Overall, the girls always look minimalist and yet boho, relaxed and yet expensive.
Breaking fashion rules is another Olsen twin signature. They love to be on the cutting edge, and their looks often divide critics into those that love them and those that can't stand them. The kaftans at the awards shows, for example, always draw criticism from people who think they look like creepy witches, a reputation I think the girls lean into a bit. They love to wear socks with sandals, go out with wet or totally messy hair, and pair tailoring with sweatpants. A little bit rebel, a little bit sophisticated, a little bit too above-it-all to care.
Below I have found some less expensive pieces (at least less expensive than The Row) that will help pull together your Olsen-inspired looks. As always, I urge you to shop thrift stores, vintage shops, Depop, and other second-hand apps before shopping the high street, but hopefully this will give you some more specific directions to work towards.
Smooth Leather Tote Bag, &Other Stories, $129.00
Mariposa Blazer, Aritzia, $228
