Europe isn’t the typical avenue in which one’s real-life persona and fictional character converge. The method of an actor sartorially—albeit intentional or not—referencing a role through their street style is usually reserved for Hollywood, but during the tail end of Milan Fashion Week, leave it to actress and sustainably-minded style savant Emma Watson to bring this mode to Italy.
In a rare public appearance, the Prada Beauty ambassador and campaign director cut a prep-infused figure that fused codes of the conspicuous “normcore” and “stealth wealth” aesthetics.
Given the Ivy League graduate’s most memorable on-screen role is the bookish Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, the star’s style has always felt underscored by a mix of academia and London tailoring. But on this occurrence, it appears Watson has inadvertently taken this synergy one step further by reprising a look near-identical to a costume she wore in the magical series’ third film, Prisoner of Azkaban.
In the 2004 fantasy film, the cast memorably departs from their Hogwarts uniform, marking the character’s debut into “street clothing”. Watson spends a large duration of the film roaming around the fictional school grounds in jeans and a periwinkle pink hoodie—a silhouette she’s once again echoed a near 20-odd years later.
Appropriately, Watson modernised the ensemble by opting for an aubergine-coloured cashmere sweater, navy blue suede Adidas Gazelles, a double-breasted camel trench coat and a slightly looser “mom” cut of indigo denim. (We wonder if Levi’s would go by Levi’osa the Wizarding World?)
Jany Temime, the award-winning costume designer for the film, told press at the time that she wanted these outfits to feel chosen by the actors themselves. Watson may have waited two decades to give the garments her stamp of approval, but it’s clear Temime’s mission was accomplished.
Earlier in the week, Watson stepped out ahead of her front row appearance at Prada to content as the acme of the “Quiet Luxury trend”. To do so, she opted for a slew of bourgeois staples like a three-quarter-sleeve blue-and-white striped button-down, a sand crewneck and a single-breasted latte-coloured wool coat. (All from the luxuriate, naturally).
Though sightings of Watson’s off-duty style are few and far between, this back-to-back display has provided enough inspiration to see us through to her next outing—especially if they hint at what Granger’s ‘Ministry of Magic’ workwear could’ve been. Must be the season of the witch, indeed.
