From Barbiecore to Sci-Fi Chic: 7 Celebs Who Nailed (or Failed) Method Dressing

Acting requires a lot more than memorising lines – it’s about truly embodying the character you’re playing. You have to immerse yourself in their world, understanding everything from their motivations to their doubts. And that’s how standout performances are born. The best actors go for a more method acting approach to truly become their characters.

If you're a movie fan or regularly scrolling through Instagram, you’ve probably noticed Ariana Grande giving us a taste of her character’s style for the Wicked movie press tour. Or you saw a tweet roasting Timothée Chalamet’s Wonka outfits. They’re just two of the many celebrities who have taken their method acting approach from on-screen movie magic to red carpet chic. This is called method dressing.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are giving BFF vibes. (Photo from: @wickedmovie)

What is method dressing?

Method dressing is when an actor’s outfit becomes a nod to the character they’re playing or the film they’re promoting. It’s not just about throwing on a fancy dress – it’s about having fun with fashion and making a stylish statement that connects to the movie.

While method dressing isn’t a new concept, it’s been taken to dazzling new heights lately, thanks to Margot Robbie’s unforgettable Barbie promo tour and recently Ariana Grande’s chic Wicked press run. Scroll through to see 7 actors who nailed method dressing, and those who missed the mark.

1. Ariana Grande was born to play Glinda

Ariana Grande channelling the Good Witch in pink. (Photos from: @arianagrande and @wickedmovie)

Ariana Grande is giving lessons on how to do method dressing right! She channelled Glinda’s sparkle at the Wicked Australian premiere in a sweeping pink gown with a fitted bodice and statement sleeves. The sheer fabric shimmered with crystal details, perfectly paired with over 100 carats of custom-made Lorraine Schwartz diamonds.

Her half-up ponytail was paired with a romantic curl framing her face. Naturally, she topped off the Good Witch vibes with an all-pink makeup look using her R.E.M. Beauty x Wicked Glinda Makeup Set.

2. Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and she’s wickedly stylish

Cynthia Erivo is ready to defy gravity with that dress and nails. (Photos from: @cynthiaerivo and @wickedmovie)

Cynthia ditched Elphaba’s signature green for a striking black strapless gown with a structured, flared skirt. She was serving witchy glamour at the premiere with Ariana. Her strapless gown featured a dramatic structured skirt flaring at the hips, perfectly paired with a white gold choker showcasing an emerald and diamond lion brooch. But it was her nails that stole the show: green and silver with intricate jewel accents.

3. Margot Robbie is a lifesize Barbie

Margot Robbie is giving old school Hollywood glamour. (Photos from: @andrewmukamal and @barbiemovie)

Margot Robbie has mastered method dressing, and her Barbie press tour was just perfect. Her stylist Andrew Mukamal understood the assignment. Each look echoed a real Barbie, but the standout was her homage to the “Enchanted Evening” Barbie. Wearing a Vivienne Westwood draped corseted dress in blush-pink satin, complete with a side tulle train and fuzzy white stole. She completed the look with ivory opera gloves and a crystal rosette at the waist, giving vintage Barbie vibes.

4. Zendaya showed us sci-fi realness at Dune: Part Two premiere

Zendaya is the space knight we want saving us. (Photos from: @luxurylaw and @dunemovie)

Zendaya’s collaboration with Law Roach never misses, and her Dune: Part Two premiere look was no exception. Drawing from Mugler’s Autumn/Winter 1995 archives, Zendaya rocked a futuristic metal bodysuit with clear panelling, complemented by matching stilettos. The strategic cutouts and liquid-chrome pants look almost like liquid chrome giving off serious sci-fi vibes.

If you look at it closely, it subtly mirrors her character’s desert-warrior armour. With Bvlgari jewels adding just the right amount of sparkle, she proved that method dressing can be out-of-this-world.

5. Jenna Ortega pays homage to Winona’s Character

Jenna Ortega ditched the black gothic look for something red and puffy. (Photos from: @jennaortega and @beetlejuicemovie)

Wearing the signature pin stripes of Beetlejuice is a good way to reference the movie, but Jenna Ortega took it a step further. At the Venice Film Festival red carpet, she paid homage to Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz. Which is fitting as she stars as Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, daughter of Winona’s character. Jenna chose a sheer red Dior Haute Couture ensemble featuring a heart-shaped bodice and pleated skirt that revealed platform sandals. Paired with Dior Joaillerie pieces and a bold red lip, she channelled her on-screen mother in a chic yet gothic manner.

6. Timothée Chalamet tried but it wasn’t giving

Timothée Chalamet could’ve tried a different purple look. (Photos from: @wonkamovie)

Timothée Chalamet’s attempt at method dressing didn’t quite hit the sweet spot. His lavender leather Prada look, meant to reference Willy Wonka’s iconic purple coat, felt more Elvis than chocolatier. Tucking in his shirt and popping his collar to showcase a chunky diamond chain added an odd twist, making it feel costume-party ready rather than premiere-perfect.

Yes, method dressing can be about dressing like your character but we have to know from your outfit which character you are trying to reference. The Power Rangers energy was stronger than the Willy Wonka vibes.

7. Dakota Johnson could’ve done better

Dakota Johnson looks pretty, but it’s not giving Madam Spider. (Photos from: @madameweb)

For the Madam Web premiere, Dakota Johnson aimed to channel her character with a see-through chainmail dress featuring crystal embellishments that mimicked a spiderweb design. Although the intention was clear, the effect was subtle enough that one might only notice the web motif if it was pointed out.

And when it comes to web-inspired outfits, Zendaya knocked it out of the park with her sheer Valentino gown for the Spider-man: No Way Home premiere. Method dressing should evoke an immediate connection to the film, and while Dakota’s dress sparkled under the lights, it lacked the dramatic flair needed to fully capture its inspiration. Nevertheless, the shimmering crystals ensured she still turned heads, even if the look leaned more towards “meh-thod” than method.

(Cover photo from: @arianagrande and @wickedmovie)

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