John Travolta caused a stir at the Cannes Film Festival this week, not just for his directorial debut but for his new look: a beret, paired with wire-frame spectacles and a beard. The actor, 72, admitted he had three berets in rotation – black, brown and cream – and that the ensemble was intended to channel 'old school' auteurs like Ingmar Bergman and Roberto Rossellini.
In an interview with CNN, Travolta said he told himself, 'You're an actor. Play the part of a director.' The admission softened online criticism, with many noting the psychological power of dressing for the role you want. This concept, known as 'enclothed cognition', suggests that our clothing can influence both our own mindset and how others perceive us.
The article draws parallels with politicians who use dress to signal ambition. Andy Burnham, for example, wears retro Everton shirts and running shorts to project a man-of-the-people image, while Wes Streeting opts for a centrist blue suit, occasionally loosening his tie. Angela Rayner has been wearing more red in interviews, perhaps to reinforce her Labour credentials.
Celebrities also engage in 'method dressing'. Taylor Swift wore Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery this week, Pep Guardiola has adopted plaid shirts, and Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's 'naked' dress to the 2022 Met Gala. These choices, the article argues, are attempts to borrow the cultural capital of others.
However, the piece cautions that dressing the part can only take you so far. While Travolta's berets may have helped him embody a director, true reinvention requires substance beyond costume.
