I don’t usually do this sort of thing.
But since we’re talking about Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart and since Halloween is coming, let’s compare their most iconic looks.
For those of you not in the know, Robert Pattinson is a British actor, model, and singer. He’s best known for his portrayal of the dark character Edward Cullen in the Twilight films. Now that the Twilight franchise is over, he’s taken on bigger and better projects, including the upcoming King Arthur film, as well as the Alien franchise.
As for Kristen Stewart, she’s an American actress and social media star who first gained recognition for her role as Annie Wilson in the movie Twilight. Since then, she’s appeared in a variety of films and developed a fashion style all her own. Known for her work in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the Scream series, she recently starred in the drama film Personal Shopper.
So let’s compare their styles, shall we?
The Edward Cullen Look
Bella Swan’s alter-ego is arguably one of the most iconic looks in Twilight history. The fair isle white dress, with its simple but elegant design and delicate fabrics that don’t hide her curves. It famously became the iconic logo for the novel and the movie. It was also the first time many of us were exposed to the delicate beauty of Kristen Stewart.
The dress is iconic for a reason. It’s simple but elegant and suits Stewart’s sweet demeanor perfectly. The neckline is sweet too, and provides a peek at Stewart’s collarbone. It’s no wonder why this dress spawned so many memes and why fans continue to dress up as Bella.
It’s important to note that this isn’t the only look we get of Edward Cullen. In fact, he wears this same dress throughout the entire film, sometimes with a yellow tie and sometimes with a red one. This is also the look he wears for the iconic “I’m into shapes” scene, when Bella first encounters him. He also dons the dress when he takes her to meet his family for the first time. Sadly, this is also the look that makes him so easily distinguishable from other characters, which we’ll get to in a bit.
The Poser Look
Another look that continues to be a source of fascination for fans is Edward’s “posser” look. This is the costume he wears when he’s posing as a French aristocrat for Laurent’s photo shoot. Interestingly, this is the look designer Gaultier said he based the outfit on. He described it as “a mix between the Duchess of Windsor and a boy scout.” This description might sound a bit harsh, but it’s a reference to how Edward interacts with Laurent. In the first scene of the film, he teases her by acting interested in her clothes while actually being completely uninterested. He then proceeds to fixate on her jewelry as the scene progresses, as if he were a common street urchin trying to paw through her wealth.
This kind of appropriation is par for the course in 21st century fashion. In modern takes on the classic look, designers riff off of historical reference and combine them with modern culture. It is a trend that has manifested itself in a variety of ways, from tailoring Sherlock Holmes’ deerstalker hat or creating a modern take on the monk’s habit to aping vintage fashion and combining it with digital art or anime.
The Black & White Look
One of the most unique and fascinating aspects of the Twilight films is the costume Kristen Stewart wears in black and white. It’s been described as a “mix between a Victorian blazer and a sarong” (with a drawstring at the back) and has become an iconic image for Stewart herself. While it’s true that she does sport a blazer in the film, it is more of a casual style, something that would be worn with equal ease today, along with a skirt and heels or a cocktail dress.
The beauty of this look is that it’s completely classic, while still remaining a unique take on a traditional look. The muted colors give it a cool, modern spin that still retains the elegance of a bygone era. It’s an outfit that is as suitable for a dinner party, as it is for a big night out.
The Animal Print Look
Last but not least, we have the animal print look. The look that Robert Pattinson sported in the movie Good Charlotte is as good an example as any of what we’re talking about here. It is a mish-mash of styles, with a bit of a hippie vibe and an emphasis on texture rather than strict suits or tie and heels.
This is the outfit that got Pattinson those paparazzi, who were eager to catch a glimpse of the handsome actor in his animal print finery. This is also the look he sports during his visit to the circus (which takes place in the same scene as his visit to the hippie camp), where he tries to fit in with the counterculture crowd, complete with peace sign brooches, bandanas, and fingerless gloves.
This look is about as “alternative” as it comes, but it still maintains the elegance that made the original style so iconic in the first place, while providing a modernized spin, as we’ve seen with other looks in this comparison.
As for the future, who knows what styles or incarnations Rob and Kristen will choose to represent themselves. But for now, let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we?
And don’t worry, we won’t be including any spoilers about the future of the Twilight franchise, because that’s still a big secret. But we will be exploring the iconic looks from the past, which is pretty much all you need to know to have an enjoyable comparison.