How 'Practical Magic' Spurred Gen-Z's Interest In Darker, Grungy Style
Ahead of the release of a highly-anticipated Practical Magic sequel, see some of the best looks as worn by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock from the iconic '90s film.
It's official—'90s cult-classic film and style handbook for generations, Practical Magic is getting a 2020s-era sequel.
The Griffin Dunne original film, released in 1998, follows two sisters, Gillian and Sally Owens, as they test the limits of their supernatural powers after a witchy accident leaves Gillian's abusive ex-boyfriend dead. Played by Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, respectively, Gillian and Sally offer a humorous, but startlingly well-portrayed vision of the kind of sisterhood penned in the original novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman. The movie is packed full of undeniably hilarious moments between the sisters, including the iconic midnight Margarita moment, a compelling plot, and a talented ensemble of characters, as seen in the Owens sisters' coven, but more than those elements, why has the movie's wardrobe endured as a source of style inspiration almost 30 years after its release?
The undeniably alluring sartorial statements in the film have persisted perhaps even more so than the iconic sarcastic scenes that Millenials and older members of Gen-Z remember, ending up on the Pinterest boards and TikTok slideshows of Gen-Z girls born long after the movie's heyday. From Nicole Kidman's charming red hair and voluminous bangs to the all-black cool girl looks sported by Sandra Bullock, the movie's instantly recognizable styles have gained traction online as the kind of grungy, dark '90s looks that we all secretly hope to embody in some way or another.
Aside from the dark, witchy color palette and edgier looks, the difficult-to-identify ingredient present in almost every Practical Magic look is an air of nonchalance and a sense of natural confidence, most apparent in Nicole Kidman's effortlessly mussed straight-across fringe and Sandra Bullock's gently draped cardigans. From Sally's casual, not messy braids and Gillian's worn-velvet dress, the wardrobe and beauty choices appear more lived-inand authentic than many other iconic '90s movies, and the images most women see on their screens today. This au naturel aesthetic is instantly more appealing to younger generations who are fixated on "Clean Girl Makeup" and vintage-inspired fashion.
Ahead of the release of the long-awaited sequel, join L'OFFICIEL in indulging in a bit of nostalgia as we examine all the best looks from the iconic film.
