The Enigma Of Amal Clooney’s Style

By Marie Kelly
03rd Jun 2016

I have a love hate relationship with Amal Clooney’s style. I love her?Alicia Florrick-style suits, which make me smile in sartorial admiration as they?balance professional and feminine so artfully.?This?burgundy, double-breasted two-piece is understated but fashion-forward. The’stylish square-cut neckline and exposed stitching around the lapels give the suit an interesting point of difference that’s chic but understated.

Screen Shot 2016-06-02 at 14.29.03 — Clooney attends a press conference with President Nasheed of the Maldives in January of this year.

Below, Clooney has cleverly balanced traditionally masculine pinstripes with a soft high-neck white blouse. The 38-year-old is?beautifully pulled together without falling into the trap of looking either fussy or indistinct.

Screen Shot 2016-06-02 at 14.29.56 — Clooney attends a press conference at Doughty Street Chambers in London last year.

But like that other on-off style icon Kate Middleton (mostly off, for’me, regardless of what Vogue says), Clooney needs a more modern haircut to elevate her look. The long bouncy locks look less Cinderella-like when she’s in lawyer mode, but on the red carpet, her usual choice of Princess dress descends into caricature when paired with a traditional Hollywood wave and drop earrings. With Clooney’s stunning skin tone, she can pull off sherbet yellow, but the dress she wore to this year’s Cannes Film Festival just feels bland and a little too twee and sentimental (even accessorising with her husband didn’t help!).

Screen Shot 2016-06-02 at 14.49.13 — George and Amal Clooney at the 69th Cannes Film Festival this year.

Similarly at last year’s Golden Globes, Clooney’s black one-shoulder gown looked a little Morticia Adams worn with her long black hair draped around her shoulders. Maybe an updo would have lifted the look? Certainly, losing those ill-fitting, washing-up style gloves would have helped. Monochrome looks so chic, except when it doesn’t.

Screen Shot 2016-06-02 at 15.03.28 — Clooney at last year’s Golden Globe Awards

But then, just like that,?Clooney climbs back up onto her fashion pedestal with a flirty but sophisticated mini dress by Giambattista Valli at the Hail, Caesar! premiere in February. The cut is youthful and the print fresh. With Clooney’s hair pulled back into?a gorgeous faux bob, she looks modern and sophisticated.

Screen Shot 2016-06-02 at 15.21.02 — George and Amal Clooney at the Hail, Caesar! premiere earlier this year

So more?contemporary chic and less Cinderella style is my advice. Although who can blame her for indulging in a little fairytale fashion? She’s living happily ever after with George Clooney after all.