Dressing the Part: What is Method Dressing and How to Do it Right

Whether it’s Zendaya sporting tennis dresses for Challengers (2024), or Margot Robbie drenched in pink for Barbie (2023), ‘method dressing’ has been the latest buzzword bridging the worlds of film and fashion.

This trend, where actors sartorially pay tribute to their characters during promotions, makes red-carpet fashion more exciting, while drawing attention back to the film. But what began as a playful fashion statement, has now turned into a must-have for all movie stars — and they’re taking it to a whole new level. 

Who Did it First and Who’s Done it Best

Back in 1992, Geena Davis led the charge when she chose to dress like a baseball at the premiere of A League of Their Own. Though “it’s always been encouraged,” says actress Janhvi Kapoor, who recently revived the conversation by bringing it to India through her method dressing for Ulajh and Mr. & Mrs. Mahi promotions. “We’re told to stay within the worlds of our characters, so audiences are introduced to it. They then find it easier to believe when they watch the film,” she explains. 

However, stylist Ami Patel dates the trend all the way back to the British Raj, when Indians began incorporating the Western style of dressing. She states that “it took shape in the mid-20th century, with the influence of Bollywood and the growing interest in personalised, contextually appropriate fashion.”

On that note, Patel, the brains behind many of the promotional looks for Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, shares her first rule for method dressing, which is “understanding the context and tailoring the outfit to suit the occasion, location and cultural background.” And from season ball-inspired mini bags to jersey blouses and pearl chokers featuring bat-and-ball motifs, it’s been nothing short of head-turning. “Bollywood and cricket are two things that are worshipped in India, so marrying them had a surreal outcome,” she says.

Working up to the release, Kapoor had noticed the buzz around her outfits, wanting to direct that energy towards her character and the film instead. Inspired by what her contemporaries had done abroad, she decided to probe deeper and add her own twist to the subject. Exploring the sporty and feminine sides of Mahi [her character in Mr. & Mrs. Mahi], she shares: “A lot of thought went into it, some of which people didn’t even pick up on! Everything [was intentional] — from the colours we used, to certain outfits being worn on specific days.”

Patel agrees, emphasising the sheer inventiveness behind the looks. “Be it sarees, pantsuits, corset dresses or skirts — the cricket-inspired elements were a milestone for the [Indian] fashion industry. It’s never been seen here before.” For the actress, costume is integral to building a character and method dressing is simply an extension of that; but one that affords the talent more creative freedom. Kapoor continues, “I was happy that such amazing designers were enthusiastic about collaborating with me. I liked being creatively involved in my promotional looks, it gives me that opportunity to exercise my [artistic] muscle.”

It’s All About the Details

While Kapoor’s interpretation of method dressing was bold and upfront, Ishaan Khatter prefers to be more understated. “I don't think I've ever taken fashion that seriously,” he says. He’s being modest, and judging by his recent promotional looks for The Perfect Couple, Khatter seems to be harbouring some serious fashion ambitions. He concurs with the fact that costuming is integral, especially in connecting the actor with their character in a more tangible way. But when it comes to promotional outfits, he opts for subtlety. “I like wearing one element that hints at the theme of the show — for instance, while promoting Pippa, I naturally ended up wearing military boots and camouflage,” Khatter explains.

In fact, one of the great pleasures of his career, he says, was when the Indian Army Armoured Corps — a combat arm of the Indian Army — watched the film and made him and his castmates honorary members of the 45th cavalry, the regiment they portrayed. “I was bestowed with a 45 pin, which I wore everywhere when I represented Pippa. I like little things like that,” he continues. This leads to Patel’s second tip for method dressing, which is “adding signature elements like jewellery and accessories to elevate the look.”

But for Khatter, comfort is key. “You've got to wear the clothes, the clothes can't wear you,” he says, which brings one to Patel’s final and most important piece of advice: “Always keep your personal style and comfort in mind.”

A character who truly embodied this advice was Bella ‘Bae’ Chowdhary, played by Ananya Panday, in her recent Amazon Prime Video show, Call Me Bae. Panday, typically known to play it safe and keep it simple, admitted to experimenting with her looks during promotions. Stepping outside her comfort zone, she says, “I wouldn't say that I'm completely method dressing, but my [promotional] looks are definitely a version of Bae. Now is the time for me to play around and try different things”. But, like Khatter, she’s toning it down. “I'm sticking to my blacks but adding a touch of fun. Today, for example, I'm wearing a black dress but with a giant purple flower on my shoulder.”

Sensitivity and Sustainability

While audiences applaud those championing the trend, they’re also quick to hold others accountable when it misses the mark. For instance, Blake Lively’s striking red look at the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine was greatly appreciated, but her floral outfits for the promotions of It Ends With Us received a lot of flak. Many felt that a film dealing with a topic as sensitive as domestic violence simply wasn’t the appropriate setting for a fashion moment. Context is paramount because, like all things, method dressing too has its time and place.

Another hot topic gaining traction in this conversation is overconsumption. In light of the environmental impact of fast fashion, Patel predicts that “method dressing is likely to evolve, with greater emphasis on sustainability and technology in the future.” As consumers become more conscious of the planet, trends like these will eventually grow to incorporate more “eco-friendly materials and practices.” 

Method dressing effectively raises awareness for the films it promotes, and Janhvi Kapoor, for one, is staying on this bandwagon for a while. “The level of subtlety or extremity will vary depending on the film, but I’ve always been a fan of fashion,” she says, drawing the conversation to a close. At the end of the day, the secret to method dressing lies in finding the right balance between context, character and personal style, but with a sprinkling of drama.