After flying low under the radar, Maggie Gyllenhaal is making a comeback—and how. Don't know what we're talking about? That's probably because her new show, The Honorable Woman, is a quiet, independent venture from Sundance TV and BBC Britain. Dancing with the Stars this is not.
And that's a good thing.
The Honorable Woman—which focused on Nessa Stein, a British baroness in the midst of the Middle East conflict—boasts a tight plot and intriguing pacing. Moreover, it stuns with Stein's precise, minimalist wardrobe. Being filthy rich and British, the character's style is luxurious yet restrained—think beige blouses, chic evening gowns and "sensible" black pumps. Every morning, Stein heads to her dressing room to assess her daily clothing, casting disapproving glances as she decides on the most sublime ensemble possible.
It's a vehicle fit for the talents and panache of Gyllenhaal, whose personal style never ceases to impress. Sporting short, chic hair and those amazing cheekbones, Gyllenhaal is the embodiment of laid-back, understated cool. A side note confession: I peed and washed hands next to Gyllenhaal a year ago, after Alexander Wang's New York fashion show, and this woman knows how to do aloof mystery. Her magnetism, even in a poorly lit bathroom stall, is remarkable.
On the red carpet, where Gyllenhaal was recently making the press rounds, nobody would dare disapprove. Choosing young contemporary designers such as Wes Gordon and Vionett, and opting for basic colors and anything but basic cuts, she injects the red carpet with unique, grown-up glamour, demonstrating that you don't need dangerous cleavage and skimpy hems to stand out.
You can always trust her to choose the most oddball Valentino gown—cue her Met Gala dress, a graphic display like no other. On the shoe side, Gyllenhaal wows with her love for smart, practical flats. There's something refreshingly sane about Gyllenhaal—about her disheveled hair and big dreamy eyes, and the way she is at once strange and utterly sexy.
Whether you love upgraded office clothing or indie chic, do yourself a favor and adopt her style—on screen or off—ASAP.
