Tessa Thompson: Fashion Without The Armor

From the Silver Screen to the Sidewalk

Get ready to take a deep dive into Tessa Thompson's chic world, where every piece of clothing tells a story. Speaking on Harper’s Bazaar’s podcast, "The Good Buy," Tessa shares her style journey and how her fashion choices are as intentional as her film roles. Whether she’s dazzling on the red carpet or keeping it casual in the streets, Tessa knows exactly how to make a statement.

The actress with roles ranging from "Dear White People" to the Marvel universe has brought the same precision to her personal wardrobe. Working with fashion giants like Chanel and Valentino, Tessa takes risks and embraces her unique style narrative. "I love vintage and I really love imagining the stories of the clothes that you buy," she shares, reflecting on her penchant for thrifting and uncovering hidden gems.

“I love vintage and I really love imagining the stories of the clothes that you buy."

Style Inspirations and Personal Touches

Tessa’s fashion philosophy is deeply rooted in her past. Remembering her childhood, she fondly recalls thrifting with her parents. Once seeing it as a necessity, she now views it as a treasure hunt for unique finds. Her inspirations are as eclectic as her roles, with icons like Prince and her own mother shaping her sense of style. "I was a massive Pee-wee Herman fan as a kid," she laughs, highlighting the playful, gender-blind approach to fashion she’s always admired.

Her journey has also been one of self-discovery. The actress mentions her recent realization of how her mother’s ‘80s style has influenced her. As Tessa prepares for a role, she uses fashion as part of the character-building process, noting how certain colors or styles help her connect with her on-screen personas.

LA Vibes and Wardrobe Challenges

In her chat, Tessa also reflects on the contrasting styles of New York and her hometown, Los Angeles. "My hot take is that there is no comparison between New York and LA," she says, appreciating the unique fashion energy of each city. Despite having a love-hate relationship with hats, she anticipates fully embracing them in her golden years, envisioning a future of elegant pillbox hats.

Tessa humorously admits to her struggles with accumulating clothes, leading to multiple storage units in different cities. Yet, as she sheds these excesses, she’s come to reevaluate fashion as less about armor and more about authenticity. "I don’t want a separation between myself and people when I go to these events," she explains. Instead, her goal is to be truly seen, bringing her personal style onto the red carpet.

Shopping Highlights: Hits and Misses

Tessa's shopping sprees are a blend of big hits and occasional misses. Her first big purchase, a nearly $1,000 prom dress from a Melrose boutique, remains a cherished memory. Equally significant was her acquisition of a pair of Christian Louboutin So Kates—a step up in her career and style journey.

Of course, not every buy turns out perfect. Tessa chuckles at her ongoing "bloomer summer" dream, uncertain if it will ever come to fruition. Yet, she remains optimistic. Her repeat buys? Pointy-toe flats, of course, with her collection rapidly approaching double digits.

Her dream purchase would be a museum-worthy Margiela piece, for the joy it would bring every time she looked at it. And in recent adventures, she found delight in vintage skirt suits and an exquisitely fitted cone bra from the 1930s. These pieces add color and history to her wardrobe, true treasures in a fashionista's eyes.