5 Best Romantic Comedies Capturing the Frazzled English Woman Aesthetic

The old money, office siren and clean girl trends have been replaced by the frazzled English woman – girls in shapeless sweaters who value comfort over elegance.

Fall is already here, so every self-respecting fashionista has pulled a voluminous sweater out of her closet, thrown a huge scarf around her neck, and run off to do errands with a cup of hot coffee.

The trend was largely inspired by the images of cult, mostly British, rom-com films of the 1990s to 2000s.

1. The Holiday, 2006

At first glance, Amanda and Iris are very different women. One lives in sunny California and owns an ad agency, the other lives in a cozy English house and works for a London newspaper. But both women capture the essence of the trend: both Amanda and Iris are catastrophically tired and have a great love of knitwear.

The Holiday can be taken apart, frame by frame, to create the most fashionable images of the season. Remember the style secrets of Iris and Amanda: a classic sheepskin coat is a must-have, a warm sweater with a thin scarf is made for the melancholy evenings, and a white knit sweater is suitable for any occasion – whether dancing alone to The Killers or flirting with Jude Law.

2. Stepmom, 1998

From the very beginning, Stepmom introduces viewers to two women whose differences are accentuated by their clothing styles. Isabel is a fashion photographer whose wardrobe is dominated by pantsuits and cotton shirts. Jackie is the perfect mother who wears warm colors: yellow and brown.

However, as the plot unfolds, Isabel also becomes the embodiment of the frazzled English woman trend. In the middle of the movie, both women appear in cozy maxi coats and sweaters, and near the end, viewers see Isabel in the very outfit that is now inspiring fashionistas around the world: a beige turtleneck, a dark coat, and a red knit hat.

3. Bridget Jones's Diary, 2001

Renee Zellweger's character has practically become the face of the frazzled English woman. Bridget Jones embodies the key characteristics of this aesthetic. First, she is truly English and lives in London. Second, casualness is Bridget's main feature: the journalist always looks like she got dressed in a hurry and put on the first thing that fell out of the closet.

Third, Jones is really exhausted and tired. Finally, her appearance conveys the woman's inner chaos: at the beginning of the movie, the Englishwoman's life is a complete mess, and her head is full of questions and complexes.

4. Serendipity, 2001

Serendipity teaches two important lessons: you can't escape fate, and a well-chosen outfit can help make a lasting first impression. It's not for nothing that John Cusack's character couldn't forget the handsome stranger he met on Christmas Eve. And it was the frazzled English woman entourage that emphasized the woman's charm and charisma.

Jonathan meets the woman of his dreams: Sara is witty and unpredictable, her hair is not perfect, her makeup is subtle, and a gray coat and burgundy scarf help her hide from the December cold.

5. While You Were Sleeping, 1995

From the very first frame, Sandra Bullock's Lucy looks like the kind of girl you want to tell your secrets to over a cup of tea. Not surprisingly, the entire family falls in love with the stranger, easily assuming she is the bride of Peter – the man of Lucy's dreams, to whom she has never spoken.

Lucy's appearance is complemented by a casual style. The woman loves oversize, thanks to which each of her outfits looks cozy and homey. If you saw Jon Turtletaub's movie, you probably remember Lucy's black coat, which her father gave her and which she never leaves the house without.