It’s been 10 years since the first Twilight film. Here’s how to dress like its lead character today.
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Love it or hate it, you have to admit that the Twilight franchise is a true cultural phenomenon. It’s been 10 years (!!) since the first film was released and we’re still no closer to a winner in the battle of “Team Edward” vs. “Team Jacob”.
But man candy aside, one thing we can agree on is that many of you seem to love the main character Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart) and her effortless style. We first talked about Bella’s wardrobe back in 2009, so given the ten year anniversary of the film, we thought it was high time we post an updated guide to her style.
Read on to find out how you can dress like Bella today – you never know, maybe you too will capture the heart of a handsome but troubled teen vampire and/or werewolf.
Bella’s style is very low-maintenance, yet she still looks gorgeous at all times. Everything has a pretty yet effortless “I just threw it on” look to it. While it is clear that Bella would much rather stare at Edward all day than spend hours getting ready (who can blame her), she does have a specific sense of style.
Here we break down Bella’s wardrobe essentials, as well as show you two outfits that you could see Bella wearing on a typical day in Forks.
Bella’s wardrobe is very straightforward and simple. She has a wide array of long sleeve henleys and tops to shield her from the cold of Forks. Bella often sticks to neutrals and cool colors such as blues, greens and whites, but I mixed it up by adding a few colors such as red and electric blue. She’s also known to rock the typical Seattle button-down plaid shirt.
When it comes to copying her style, the main thing that you should focus on is to make sure your top is laid-back. Casual tops are a Bella staple.
Since Bella lives in a cold climate, she needs an abundance of coats to keep her from getting cold in dreary Forks. Unlike her tops, her coats have more variety in cut and color.
Most of her coats end about hip height to show off her legs. Often, her coats are the most colorful part of her outfit, so she chooses them in colors like blue, yellow, red, and green. I love the red bomber jacket on the bottom right as an updated take on Bella’s look.
As Bella grew up in Arizona, she has a bit of an All-American/Western style to her look and can often be seen wearing things like turquoise jewelry or suede boots.
To copy her look, I chose a maroon tank top, a plaid shirt, and a trusty pair of denim jeans for a low-maintenance combo that’s very Washington state. To keep you from getting chilly in Forks weather, I chose a cute grey beanie to keep your head nice and toasty. Throw this outfit on and you’ll be ready to explore the forest with one of our dashing anti-heroes.
For my second outfit, I chose pieces to show off Bella’s bohemian side. Her style often veers toward boho-chic, and this outfit reflects that, while still staying true to her low-maintenance mindset.
First, I chose a blue embroidered tunic and paired that with a gray cardigan. I then added dark wash jeans and a classic brown belt. For shoes, I chose Converse chucks in navy blue (Bella wears a similar pair in the films), and to add a touch of femininity, I picked out a delicate turquoise ring.
Overall, this look is tough, yet when you examine the details, it’s also very feminine. This mix of tough and girly gives the outfit character.
Bella’s Hair
Bella’s hair is the stuff dreams are made of. Like Serena from Gossip Girl, she’s one of those girls that doesn’t know how lucky she is to have such a nice head of hair. All she has to do is roll out of bed and her hair is perfect. But don’t despair, you too can replicate Bella’s hair with the help of a trusty 1-inch curling iron.
Here’s how to get Bella’s perfect locks:
First, find a curling iron with at least a 1-inch barrel
Separate your hair into sections and then grab a medium section of it and wrap it around the iron (don’t use the clamp).
Hold the section around the wrapped area for about a minute and then let go. It should be a nice loose curl now.
Continue doing this around the rest of your head (you don’t have to do all of it though, it’s nice to leave a few strands straight – it looks more natural), set your hair with a teeny bit of hairspray, and voila: you will have hair that no man (or vampire or werewolf) will be able to resist.
As I mentioned before, Bella’s hair is pretty much perfect. Sometimes when she wears it down, she accessorizes with a thin headband on the crown of her head.
You can try this style out to add a little bit of dainty detail to your look – all you need to do is push your hair back and place the headband in your hair. Also, headbands are fabulous because they’re so cheap. No matter your budget, this is one look you can definitely afford!
Bella also wears the occasional beanie to keep her ears warm during those chilly days relaxing in La Push. I chose an assortment of beanies and berets in different colors to mix things up. They’re great because they add a pop of color to your outfit and also keep your head nice and toasty.
What do you guys think of Bella’s style? Do you think I translated it well? Did you like this updated guide to her look? Whatever your thoughts, let me know in the comments!
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2009; it was completely updated and revamped in 2018 by Sharon with new photos and information.
119 thoughts on “How To Copy Bella Swan’s Style from Twilight”
I really like this post. Although Bella doesn’t have the best fashion sense ever, the outfits in this post are similar to hers except better because they are actually really cute. It’s ok to dress comfortably if it’s cute!
It would be wonderful if there were posts on Alice and Rosalie!
Wow, you really put a lot of thought into this. I like how you played up the style basics when you made the outfits, you know, like using hip length jackets to emphasize the legs, and the advice on form-skimming tops to define your silhouette (sp?) and all that. Great job!
Wow, I am shocked at the negative comments on this post! Not only because I’ve received more than 20 emails asking for this post, but also because the majority of the rude comments were left by ONE person on ONE computer, posting under different names.
This one girl was the one who pretended she was “switching” to some blog she writes herself. She also posted under the name “Clarissa”, and “Katie”, as well as a bunch of other names. There were literally TEN negative comments from this same ridiculous person. She was having conversations with herself, trying to stir up negativity and make it look like people were agreeing with her. Crazy much?
Anyway, she’s banned now, and I have deleted all of her comments. Thanks to everyone who stuck up for Kim and helped keep the comments positive & constructive. I’m glad that one bad apple can’t spoil the site for everyone.
I love Bella, but she’s not someone I look to for style advice. I think Alice and Rosalie have amazing style! It would be so great for you to do an article on them.
As for Bella, Nordstrom has an entire ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon for BP.” clothing line. While most of the clothes have quotes from the movie on them, they have a jacket and tunic that was inspired by Bella’s style.
I understand and respect that Kim put a lot of work into this article. However, she did ask for feedback. I, personally, have been reading this blog for about a year and have noticed that some of the articles being printed recently aren’t as interesting or helpful, at least to me. I don’t think that the quality of writing is bad, but the outfits that have been put together recently are very safe. Not that that’s terrible or anything, but this blog used to be about taking risks with fashion. It doesn’t take much to put together some of the outfits posted on here recently. I used to come to this blog for fashion inspiration, but it seems kind of pointless now because the outfits being posted are things that I see around campus all the time. Bella Swan, as someone said, does dress like she stepped out of an American Eagle ad or something. Kim did a great job of writing about it, but I still think that this blog is beginning to go downhill. I think that some people were being disrespectful in the way they were saying some things, but i don’t think that it’s fair to completely dismiss what they were saying just because they were kind of rude.
I personally hate Twilight and as some other readers can’t understand why anyone would like to emulate Bellas style (she has a style, really?). Althought, the outfits inspired by her are worth checking, while they are very simple, yet put together – a great alternative to tshirt and sweatpants during the finals, when many of us, college students, don’t have time for creating sophisticated outfits everyday. And for me, they look better than anything Bella is wearing in the movie.
Maybe this post could be called INSPIRED by Bella Swan. The outfits are a little different from what she wears in the movie however the whole idea was to get inspiration from her.
It bothers me that so many of these posts were so negative… if you don’t like Bella’s style or even Twilight, then don’t read the post! It is as simple as that. I think that the post was well written and though out.
While I agree with many others that Bella’s style is not one I’d like to emulate, I found this post extremely well written, and thought that even though I’d never try to dress like Bella, there were excellent links to basic tees and such that I can incorporate into my everyday wear (for cheap!).
And thanks for the advice on Bella’s hair. Even though her style is less than perfect, her hair is just… beyond words. I tried out your advice, and it worked out pretty well!
@ Kimberly- I’m glad I’m not the only person who feels that way. Some of the posts now are not even about fashion, like the post about christmas movies. I found this site this summer and I loved it because it showed me how to put together outfits. I could find clothes in my closet that resembled the ones in the picture, and I have been dressing better because of this site. But now… I look forward to reading these and a lot of them are just not as good.
And Kim- I love this post.Bella Swan has no style, but the outfits you created both have style and resemble her. Props to you, I love it.
Although this clothing in this article isn’t high fashion by any means, a lot of college students do dress in a similar style to Bella and would probably appreciate a post like this. I really don’t like Twilight, but it is definitely a sort of pop culture phenomenon right now and I can appreciate this post.
Kim put a lot of hard work into finding the pieces, linking them in the article and putting the whole thing together. If you don’t like it, scroll on and move on.
The way you put together your comment was snarky and rude, so I’ll throw a little back at you:
Here’s some Business 101: The target audience for this site is 18-24 year olds in college. Since you are so immature, you’re obviously neither that age or in college, so why don’t you go make HighSchoolFashion.net and post about the jeans and t-shirts you wear every day 🙂
Aside from the fact that Twilight is for middle school-aged girls, I must say that I don’t understand why anyone would want to dress like Bella. She’s boring, drab, and uninspiring. Her outfits might be one step above normal college girl attire (Ugg boots, jeans, t-shirt) but they still suck!
great post! i love how you break down her style in so many details (even her hair! wow, thanks!) i think bella doesn’t really have a unique style – she’s sort of plain, trying to keep warm while dreaming about her edward. BUT, I really really really like the way you break down her wardrobe! i love the clothes you picked up based on the plain-bella and make it a little bit more unique. can’t wait to try out bella’s hair, thanks again for the hair-tip!
I liked this post and I agree with other posters that more Twilight fashion posts would be great. Bella has a simple style-but there is nothing wrong with that.
And after reading the comments here about the quality of College fashion going down recently, I must add that I love having new writers on this site. I like some writers more than others but I love the variety.
I really like this post. Although Bella doesn’t have the best fashion sense ever, the outfits in this post are similar to hers except better because they are actually really cute. It’s ok to dress comfortably if it’s cute!
It would be wonderful if there were posts on Alice and Rosalie!
Team Edward!!
Wow, you really put a lot of thought into this. I like how you played up the style basics when you made the outfits, you know, like using hip length jackets to emphasize the legs, and the advice on form-skimming tops to define your silhouette (sp?) and all that. Great job!
Wow, I am shocked at the negative comments on this post! Not only because I’ve received more than 20 emails asking for this post, but also because the majority of the rude comments were left by ONE person on ONE computer, posting under different names.
This one girl was the one who pretended she was “switching” to some blog she writes herself. She also posted under the name “Clarissa”, and “Katie”, as well as a bunch of other names. There were literally TEN negative comments from this same ridiculous person. She was having conversations with herself, trying to stir up negativity and make it look like people were agreeing with her. Crazy much?
Anyway, she’s banned now, and I have deleted all of her comments. Thanks to everyone who stuck up for Kim and helped keep the comments positive & constructive. I’m glad that one bad apple can’t spoil the site for everyone.
xo,
I love Bella, but she’s not someone I look to for style advice. I think Alice and Rosalie have amazing style! It would be so great for you to do an article on them.
As for Bella, Nordstrom has an entire ‘The Twilight Saga: New Moon for BP.” clothing line. While most of the clothes have quotes from the movie on them, they have a jacket and tunic that was inspired by Bella’s style.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3055002/0~2378467~2378483~6025924~6025925?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6025925&P=1
I understand and respect that Kim put a lot of work into this article. However, she did ask for feedback. I, personally, have been reading this blog for about a year and have noticed that some of the articles being printed recently aren’t as interesting or helpful, at least to me. I don’t think that the quality of writing is bad, but the outfits that have been put together recently are very safe. Not that that’s terrible or anything, but this blog used to be about taking risks with fashion. It doesn’t take much to put together some of the outfits posted on here recently. I used to come to this blog for fashion inspiration, but it seems kind of pointless now because the outfits being posted are things that I see around campus all the time. Bella Swan, as someone said, does dress like she stepped out of an American Eagle ad or something. Kim did a great job of writing about it, but I still think that this blog is beginning to go downhill. I think that some people were being disrespectful in the way they were saying some things, but i don’t think that it’s fair to completely dismiss what they were saying just because they were kind of rude.
I personally hate Twilight and as some other readers can’t understand why anyone would like to emulate Bellas style (she has a style, really?). Althought, the outfits inspired by her are worth checking, while they are very simple, yet put together – a great alternative to tshirt and sweatpants during the finals, when many of us, college students, don’t have time for creating sophisticated outfits everyday. And for me, they look better than anything Bella is wearing in the movie.
Maybe this post could be called INSPIRED by Bella Swan. The outfits are a little different from what she wears in the movie however the whole idea was to get inspiration from her.
It bothers me that so many of these posts were so negative… if you don’t like Bella’s style or even Twilight, then don’t read the post! It is as simple as that. I think that the post was well written and though out.
Great job Kim, keep ’em coming!
Dear everyone,
In the wise words of Santino: “Lighten up it’s just fashionnn.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yCv-V6tIPU
Love you Kim. Your posts are my favorite. You are my favorite. The end.
I hope you going to do Alice, I love her! Her style, her hair, her make up all amazing.
While I agree with many others that Bella’s style is not one I’d like to emulate, I found this post extremely well written, and thought that even though I’d never try to dress like Bella, there were excellent links to basic tees and such that I can incorporate into my everyday wear (for cheap!).
And thanks for the advice on Bella’s hair. Even though her style is less than perfect, her hair is just… beyond words. I tried out your advice, and it worked out pretty well!
@ Kimberly- I’m glad I’m not the only person who feels that way. Some of the posts now are not even about fashion, like the post about christmas movies. I found this site this summer and I loved it because it showed me how to put together outfits. I could find clothes in my closet that resembled the ones in the picture, and I have been dressing better because of this site. But now… I look forward to reading these and a lot of them are just not as good.
And Kim- I love this post.Bella Swan has no style, but the outfits you created both have style and resemble her. Props to you, I love it.
Clarissa,
YOU are the one being disrespectful.
Although this clothing in this article isn’t high fashion by any means, a lot of college students do dress in a similar style to Bella and would probably appreciate a post like this. I really don’t like Twilight, but it is definitely a sort of pop culture phenomenon right now and I can appreciate this post.
Kim put a lot of hard work into finding the pieces, linking them in the article and putting the whole thing together. If you don’t like it, scroll on and move on.
The way you put together your comment was snarky and rude, so I’ll throw a little back at you:
Here’s some Business 101: The target audience for this site is 18-24 year olds in college. Since you are so immature, you’re obviously neither that age or in college, so why don’t you go make HighSchoolFashion.net and post about the jeans and t-shirts you wear every day 🙂
@Suzi I prefer quality over quantity.
Aside from the fact that Twilight is for middle school-aged girls, I must say that I don’t understand why anyone would want to dress like Bella. She’s boring, drab, and uninspiring. Her outfits might be one step above normal college girl attire (Ugg boots, jeans, t-shirt) but they still suck!
great post! i love how you break down her style in so many details (even her hair! wow, thanks!) i think bella doesn’t really have a unique style – she’s sort of plain, trying to keep warm while dreaming about her edward. BUT, I really really really like the way you break down her wardrobe! i love the clothes you picked up based on the plain-bella and make it a little bit more unique. can’t wait to try out bella’s hair, thanks again for the hair-tip!
PLEASE do alice and rosalie! 😀
I liked this post and I agree with other posters that more Twilight fashion posts would be great. Bella has a simple style-but there is nothing wrong with that.
And after reading the comments here about the quality of College fashion going down recently, I must add that I love having new writers on this site. I like some writers more than others but I love the variety.