From Margot Robbie’s Barbie to Janhvi Kapoor’s Mr and Mrs Mahi, this is why method dressing makes sense

“I was no more than 10 or 12 years old when I attended a wedding, and all these aunties were wearing purples and greens. It made me think, you know, why is this combination so common? Looking back, I realise how Madhuri Dixit’s iconic look had become a trend,” Neha Saluja, design head of Pink Fort, recounts.

From local markets to winter weddings, Hum Aapke Hain Koun’s lehenga choli and heavy choker was a moment in Bollywood’s fashion history. “Gone are the days when people would visit malls to look at hoardings and billboards,” scoffed the designer.

The reviews for the recently-released sports drama Mr and Mrs Mahi may not have been as expected, but Janhvi Kapoor definitely hit it out of the park with her fashion choices during the film’s promotion. From wearing a baby blue sari with a cricket field stitched onto the pallu, a red and white striped sari with cricket balls lining the border, and a six-yard resembling a pitch, to accessories with motifs like the stumps and gloves, the actor beautifully added elements from her movie to her off-screen looks — making fashion critics and champions — both take note.

In fact, her outfits were so convincing that the actor reignited the conversation around method dressing, despite not being the first or only movie star to have banked on this element of storytelling to create a buzz around an upcoming release.

But what exactly is method dressing? “Simply put, method dressing is the art of giving a purpose and identity to what you’re wearing, even daily,” said Neha Saluja, design head of Pink Fort. She added that social media has transformed the art of storytelling in fashion.

What earlier used to be seen on fashion shows and billboards, have now been replaced by short-form content such as reels and videos. Fashion has stepped out of glossy editorial pages to find its voice and body.

“Clothing gives you identity, a freedom of expression. When I see someone in a khadi sari, I’m immediately reminded of Mrs (Indira) Gandhi. What a powerful statement she made in them!”, said Sundeepa Bamval Manda, Creative Director, FS Life, FableStreet.

 

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A post shared by Janhvi Kapoor (@janhvikapoor)

Looking into the wave of method dressing

As mentioned earlier, method dressing is the creative process of visually and aesthetically embodying a character. When used correctly, it’s a great marketing tool to create awareness and make a statement. “There is a pressure on performers to engage with the audience, create awareness about the projects they are working on and attract the right demographic,” said Saluja, further calling method dressing a marketing tool for better efficiency.

From Sonam Kapoor to Alia Bhatt, Margot Robbie to Zendaya, Bollywood and Hollywood A-listers have experimented with this trend in the past.

Robbie’s Barbie promotions swept a wave of pink across last summer, so much so the audience thronged theatres donning shades of fuchsia and bubblegum.

 

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A post shared by Alia Bhatt 💛 (@aliaabhatt)

Closer home, Bhatt’s white saris and salwar suits during the promotions of Gangubai Kathiawadi were not only gracefully sublime but also symbolised the strength and purity of her on-screen character. The actor also chose to re-wear her ivory wedding ensemble while receiving the National Award for her performance in the film.

Zendaya’s outfits promoting her film Challengers nailed the memo. The Dune actor was seen sporting pleated miniskirts and heels with tennis balls pierced into them. Her custom Loewe green dress with the silhouette of a tennis player printed on it dropped jaws during the press tour.

But what about method dressing does the trick?

“I think method dressing has become a rage all of a sudden with Zendaya’s looks splashed all over the internet,” Saluja said. Further, when the public sees an Indian celebrity doing it, it grabs more eyeballs. “The repetition and recall value of promotional outfits greatly come into play,” shared Saluja.

Agreeing, Nida Mahmood, a fashion designer, said that in the case of celebrities, method dressing is a fantastic tool for brand recall, in terms of the movie that is being promoted. “As the movie has a certain look especially designed for its concept and theme, when the actor dresses in the same language for the promotions, people are able to absorb that specific look that represents the entire film,” she told indianexpress.com.

“This enables a recall value to the brand of the film, which is very helpful for creating fads and trends in fashion,” she added.

But it goes beyond promotional events

Beyond red carpets and cinema, method dressing also looks at adding elements to one’s outfit that lets the personal show through, things that are inherently unique to one’s persona or the character they are playing.

“It may also have a particular theme or character in mind, inspired by some icon from the past, a story or memory they want to revive from their childhood,” said Manda, adding how fashion can form a deeper emotional attachment with the person and thereby influence their mood and personality.

From local markets to winter weddings, Hum Aapke Hain Koun’s lehenga choli and heavy choker was a moment in Bollywood’s fashion history. (Source: X/@__transponster)

How can you incorporate it in your wardrobe?

“People can look for inspiration in events or things when they choose to dress for a certain occasion. These days colour themes have become very popular among people especially with regards to weddings where the guests are given a specific colour to dress up in,” shared Nida Mahmood, fashion designer.

“It doesn’t need to turn into a “uniform” but just gives a fun twist to every day wear and breaks the mundane routine of dressing up,” she added.

In an evolving landscape, method dressing acts as a great tool for creative people in acting, fashion, and filmmaking, as well as for those who want to bring to life an icon or character beyond the lines of celluloid.

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