Elizabeth Olsen Reflects on Method Dressing with Aubrey Plaza Before Zendaya Made It Trendy
Hollywood star Elizabeth Olsen recently revisited one of her most stylish moments, recalling when she and Aubrey Plaza unintentionally perfected the art of method dressing—years before Zendaya turned it into a red-carpet phenomenon.
The actress shared her reflections on how the coordinated fashion moment came to be, showing that even before fashion was driven by social media trends, stars were intuitively creating iconic style statements.
Elizabeth Olsen’s early take on method dressing with Aubrey Plaza
Back in 2012, Elizabeth Olsen and Aubrey Plaza attended a press event for their film Ingrid Goes West, both donning matching metallic dresses that subtly mirrored the personalities of their on-screen characters.
The look wasn’t a planned fashion stunt—it was a natural expression of character and chemistry.
Olsen recently revealed in an interview that the choice to match outfits “just happened,” but it perfectly aligned with the theme of their film, which explored identity and social imitation.
This early example of method dressing—when actors dress in character-inspired outfits for promotions—has now become a fashion movement, largely popularized by Zendaya’s collaborations with stylist Law Roach.
How Zendaya redefined method dressing in Hollywood
While Elizabeth Olsen unknowingly helped shape the concept years ago, Zendaya transformed it into a global trend.
From her Dune metallic ensembles to her Challengers tennis-inspired looks, Zendaya has taken method dressing to an entirely new level, blending cinematic storytelling with high fashion.
Fashion critics now credit Zendaya for turning this approach into a mainstream Hollywood red-carpet strategy.
Yet, Olsen’s throwback moment reminds fans that the roots of this trend existed long before it became an internet sensation.
Fans rediscover Elizabeth Olsen’s iconic fashion moment
Following Olsen’s recent comments, fans on social media have been revisiting photos of her and Aubrey Plaza’s matching outfits, appreciating how the look captured both character and creativity.
Many are calling it a “forgotten moment of genius,” noting that Olsen’s understated style helped define an era before the red carpet became a theatrical stage.
As Zendaya continues to dominate the fashion scene, it’s fascinating to see how Elizabeth Olsen’s effortless coordination with Plaza paved the way for today’s more curated and symbolic red-carpet storytelling.
Both actresses, in their unique ways, have elevated the relationship between film and fashion—showing that true style often begins with authenticity.
