Wait—Are Dakota and Elle Fanning the New Olsen Sisters?
Between the matching blonde locks, a penchant for a monochrome moment and an enduring love for the Balenciaga City bag, the similarities are striking.
When I spotted this endearing shot of Elle and Dakota Fanning walking arm-in-arm, sharing a laugh, I knew I ought to be analysing their outfits like a proper fashion editor. But instead, my mind was occupied—darting straight to another iconic sister duo. Between their matching blonde hair, the understated monochrome, and Dakota’s perfectly crinkled Balenciaga city bag, the Olsen parallels were impossible to ignore.
The more I thought about it, the more striking the similarities became. Elle and Dakota, like Mary-Kate and Ashley, share more than just sibling status and blonde locks. Style-wise, both sets have long gravitated towards imitably chic, “undone” outfits, effortless styling, pared-back palettes, and subtle bohemian touches. And, of course, both found fame at a remarkably young age.
What’s exciting is seeing Elle stepping into the spotlight a little more this year—on top of her cover for Who What Wear, she recently earned a Golden Globes nomination for her role in Sentimental Value, meaning that between the onslaught of press events, we’re lucky enough to catch glimpses of her style beyond the usual rare outings. Meanwhile, the original Olsen sisters remain particularly under the radar, leaving many of us nostalgic for their unique influence on fashion.
No one can replace the originals, of course, but with their own charm and playful cool, Elle and Dakota Fanning are, in their own right, becoming another iconic duo.
Read on to shop my Olsen and the Fanning-worthy edit below.
Shop My Olsen and Fanning Edit:
All over again, Balenciaga's city bag is a fashion person's favourite.
Every great winter wardrobe starts with an oversized coat.
The Olsen Twins have always had a penchant for the odd tassel accessory.
Style with tall socks for a preppy finish.
This also comes in cream.
Wide-leg trousers are a pillar of my capsule wardrobe.
Bundle-up like New York's chicest.
Style with black flats or wear with a pointed-toe heel.
