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Nosferatu (2024) hit the cinema on Christmas day and three months later is still creeping into topics of discussion. We all love the costumes with gowns and petticoats that are no longer part of daily life today.
Fashion has a cyclical nature, where past styles influence contemporary trends. The gothic atmosphere and vintage silhouettes from the film have influenced 2025’s looks, bringing back corsets, ruffled details, structured coats and a darker, romantic elegance.
Nosferatu and Romantic Elegance
Directed by Robert Eggers, Nosferatu is adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula (1897) and the film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922). Their cast includes Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp with supporting roles by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin and Willem Dafoe.
The story follows Ellen Hutter and her husband, Thomas Hutter, a struggling man desperate to secure financial stability for their future. To make ends meet, he accepts a job from Herr Knock to sell the decrepit Grünewald Manor to the mysterious Count Orlok. However, during his visit, Thomas begins to suspect something sinister lurking beneath the surface. As he becomes entangled in vampire lore, he seals his wife’s fate with a contract not knowing that it binds her to a creature of the night.
The Fashion Era of the Film
The film is set in early Victorian 1838, a time when fashion became more structured and restrained compared to the Regency era. Ruffled details, long honeycomb sleeves and corsets defined the silhouettes of the period.
However, in line with the director’s artistic vision and the film’s aesthetic, the colour palette deviates from the traditional gold, tan and ivory tones of those days. Instead, it leans toward darker shades, particularly black, embracing a gothic tone that complements the film’s haunting atmosphere.
We focus on how modern fashion interprets these silhouettes and designs, as well as the gothic elements.
Isabel Marant Aesthetics and Femininity
Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter is styled in two distinct looks, one of which embraces a romantic ruffle aesthetic featuring off-shoulder dresses. As most of the scenes take place at night when dark shadows haunt, the characters are also often in nightgowns with flowing designs, giving off feminine energy and delicate features.
A brand that has been turning heads for its subtle yet effortlessly chic style is Isabel Marant–the Parisian label that blends bohemian ease with cool-girl sophistication, so much so that it has become a style in itself. What makes Isabel Marant such a fun match for the film? It’s all about the romantic undertones woven into the silhouettes–especially in the moments when Depp swaps her tight corset dress for a more free-spirited look. It’s that perfect mix of nonchalance and dreamy femininity, giving us a glimpse of her more sophisticated side.
Here are two other brands that have been focusing on laid-back elegance for the Autumn/Winter 2025 season.
Chloe FW25
The Chloé girl is back, just like in the 2000s. This season’s collections embrace a posh-hippy-grunge and feminine aesthetic with flowy silhouettes. This direction perfectly aligns with the Isabel Marant trend, where vintage-inspired, gown-like designs take centre stage. Think delicate lace, puffed shoulders and airy fabrics, creating a dreamy petticoat and undergown effect–a perfect match for a Nosferatu-inspired look with a modern bohemian twist. This aesthetic leads straight to Chloe’s creative director Chemena Kamali’s vision of “a feeling of Britishness, old aristocracy–she’s in her castle”. This is a character who effortlessly throws together cherished historical pieces, layering jackets, heirloom fur stoles and maxi dresses made from slips and nightgowns embodying a look that feels both nostalgic and modern–a true fusion of gothic romance and free-spirited bohemia.
Ann Demeulemeester FW25
Make it effortless, but darker–Ann Demeulemeester delivers what we can only call vampire hunter core. The Lost and Found concept drapes the body in loose, cascading fabrics, paired with structured, uniform-like vests and trousers, giving the vibe of someone barely holding it together–but looking ridiculously cool while doing it.
This collection isn’t confined to femininity–it leans into unisex appeal, mirroring the sharp yet undone aesthetic of the male characters in Nosferatu as well. With flowy silhouettes, it’s echoing Isabel Marant’s signature ease, but Ann Demeulemeester adds a sense of deliberate construction, making the softness feel controlled–like those that have been through misfortunes of disease.
The Beauty of Freedom
What we’ve noticed from Nosferatu is that the film revolves around the beauty and desire for freedom embodied by Ellen Hutter. Her character reflects themes of female unfulfilled desire and the misogynistic hysterical woman perception of the 1800s. Unlike the women of her time, Ellen moves differently, thinks differently and is often seen as peculiar. This is subtly reflected in her wardrobe–her loose, flowing gowns stand in contrast to the more structured attire of her friend Anna Harding, played by Emma Corrin.
However, in today’s society, we celebrate individuality–what was once seen as peculiar is now embraced as a mark of self-expression. If we were to reimagine Ellen in a different era, she might have been a rebellious spirit of the ’70s, draped in bohemian layers, fighting for her own freedom with the same quiet defiance. Her essence transcends time–always a woman out of place, yet entirely herself.
Dark and Whimsical Aesthetic
And, of course, we can’t ignore the dark goth aesthetic of the film because at the end of the day, it’s still a horror movie with a touch of tragic romance. The blend of eerie, historical elegance and gothic fashion is what truly sets the tone.
With that in mind, here are the brands at the Paris fashion shows that captured this hauntingly beautiful aesthetic.
Alexander McQueen FW25
Alexander McQueen took centre stage at Paris Fashion Week, with designer Sean McGirr embracing the dandy look–a style rooted in aristocratic elegance and rebellious refinement. This season, the Victorian gothic’s raw, moody essence commanded attention, merging historical drama with a modern edge.
Book-pleated collars, dramatic shoulders and sharply tailored silhouettes transported us back to 19th-century fashion, where extravagance met precision. The collection exuded a poetic darkness, embodying the very essence of McQueen’s signature romantic rebellion.
Dior FW25
The Dior show embraced a Nosferatu-esque style, weaving together 19th-century elegance with a gothic undertone. Ruffled shirts, lace-trimmed dresses and corseted blazers–hallmarks of the era–captured a sense of timeless beauty both ethereal and haunting.
Set in an atmosphere of dim lighting and swirling smoke, the runway created a grim and hypnotic allure, reminiscent of Nosferatu’s shadowy world. The vibes gave off moody tones, felt like aristocratic phantoms resurrected for the modern age where romance and darkness dance hand in hand.
Possibility in Today’s Fashion
Another gothic-inspired film, Frankenstein, is set for release in 2025, reigniting the conversation around these aesthetics in fashion. It’s no surprise then that gothic influences will find their way into people’s wardrobes. While we’ve seen these influences dominate the runway, how do they translate into everyday street style?
Many brands today are reinterpreting vintage aesthetics to create wearable, adaptable looks. Instead of dramatic, full-fledged period pieces, they offer subtle nods to this trend, letting people incorporate dark romance and free-spirited elegance into their own personal style.
Here are some celebrity looks that channel gothic and boho-chic vibes–without going full costume mode.
