Elle Fanning has long been celebrated for her vintage-inspired dresses and pastel-toned looks, but her recent fashion journey shows a fearless willingness to experiment. Known for her dynamic style, Fanning has been pushing boundaries with her Elle Fanning fashion adventure, embracing an array of outfits that reflect different moods rather than a fixed aesthetic. Speaking from London during press activities for the latest Predator sci-fi film, she explained how her fashion choices continually evolve.
“I’ll try anything if it doesn’t wear me,”
Elle Fanning said over the phone.
“I always try to be pretty experimental. I don’t like to get too stuck in my ways when it comes to fashion.”
Coach as the Foundation of Fanning’s Eclectic Wardrobe
Elle Fanning’s long-standing partnership with Coach has been central to her style transformation. Since becoming a brand ambassador in 2024, Coach has consistently featured in both her streetwear and red carpet looks, but never with repetition. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, she wore a delicate teal chiffon dress paired with a matching Tabby bag. By September, her style at Coach’s Spring 2026 fashion show shifted dramatically to a denim military jacket and elongated jeans, demonstrating her refusal to be confined by a single fashion mood.
Fanning’s stylist, Samantha McMillen, collaborates closely with her to create varied looks, proving that even a singular designer’s collection can inspire many distinct styles.
“I’m a different girl each day,”
Fanning shared, highlighting her fluid approach to style.
Distinct Red Carpet Looks and Campaign Highlights
Fanning’s latest Coach campaign, The Gift for New Adventures, perfectly encapsulates her versatile aesthetic. Alongside co-stars Charles Melton and Griff, she embarks on a holiday train journey outfitted in an oversized teddy coat—an item she passionately favors—and a version of the Tabby bag that has become a staple in her wardrobe across cities like New York City and London.
Throughout her varied appearances, Fanning maintains a core selection of Coach items, including the Tabby bag, Brooklyn bag, and Soho sneakers. However, she’s keenly aware of when her roles call for adaptation, often altering her look to align with the films she promotes.
“[It’s] not necessarily method dressing, but there is something to when you’re promoting a movie, you do want to look right for that film,”
she explained.
“There’s a certain vibe, like the character does spill over.”
From Dreamy Dresses to Edgy Red Carpet Choices
The fashion choices Fanning makes on red carpets mirror the characters she portrays. For example, while promoting A Complete Unknown last year, she embraced 1960s-inspired dresses. For the upcoming sci-fi thriller Predator: Badlands, her style has taken an edgier turn to match her role as a robot who wears a white leather jacket—an ideal piece from Coach’s collection.
During the London premiere, she stepped away from classic gowns and instead wore a coordinated two-piece maxi skirt set layered with a jacket reminiscent of her character’s outfit.
“I would say that’s a new adventure, taking some fashion risks in that world,”
Fanning reflected.
“It’s shying away, maybe, from the princess vibe, even though it’s always there underneath.”
She anticipates revisiting her softer, princess-inspired style later in the year for her father-daughters dramedy, Sentimental Value, as it begins its awards season promotion.
Creative Collaborations Fuel Fashion Innovation
Fanning’s evolving fashion story is deeply influenced by her relationship with Coach’s creative director, Stuart Vevers. A lunch meeting sparked a collaborative partnership that has since led to bold style experiments on the red carpet and beyond. This connection gives her clothing an authentic feel even as she explores new looks.
“I think that’s really special—not all designers do that,”
she said.
“So I feel like I have a real like personal relationship with him, which is so nice. And to say that he knows my style, he knows my personality, he knows my vibe— that’s important.”
Fanning credits this connection with allowing her to incorporate statement pieces like leather jackets without losing the essence of who she is.
Future Style Plans Promise More Surprises
Looking ahead, Elle Fanning is already plotting additional custom Coach looks, but she remains coy about how daring her upcoming ensembles might become. The creativity she shares with Vevers fuels her ongoing exploration.
“I’m always cooking up ideas and trying to imagine fantasy sketches,”
she announced.
“And Stuart has such amazing imagination, so we do that together.”
She also offered a tantalizing glimpse of what’s on the horizon:
“There’s some looks to come soon. Maybe before this is even out.”
Impact on Fanning’s Fashion Journey and Public Image
Elle Fanning’s adventurous approach to style, anchored by Coach’s versatile wardrobe pieces and her collaborations with designers like Stuart Vevers and stylist Samantha McMillen, marks a significant evolution in her public image. Moving from delicate pastels to bold, layered, and sometimes edgy ensembles reflects not only her personal growth but also the demands of her acting roles. This fashion rise shows how an actress can continuously reinvent herself, maintaining relevance and excitement in the rapidly changing world of celebrity style.
As Fanning’s upcoming projects unfold and her partnership with Coach deepens, the fashion world will undoubtedly watch her next moves with growing anticipation.
