The Addams Family icon shows us how to add gothic glamour to our holiday party outfits
The words “festive dressing” rarely call to mind the dark, dramatic glamour of Morticia Addams, but perhaps it’s time to change that.
84 years after her creation, the gothic matriarch of The Addams Family is back in the spotlight thanks to Tim Burton’s new Netflix series, Wednesday. In the show, Morticia is portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones, who joins a canon of actresses that have taken on the legendary role: Carolyn Jones, Charlize Theron, and most memorably, Anjelica Huston.
Despite their different interpretations of Morticia, what remains constant is the character’s captivating presence; she boasts impeccable style and refined manners, two qualities that transform one into an excellent party host or guest. While the latter can be learned through etiquette classes, Morticia’s striking, seductive looks can easily be recreated if you wish to command attention at your next social affair.
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The first rule? Ditch the colours. Let everyone else arrive in Christmas hues like red, green and gold while you create an air of mystique by wearing a long black gown.
With the absence of colour, the cut of the dress is everything. Morticia Addams has traditionally emphasised her hourglass figure through form-fitting, long-sleeved gowns, with bell sleeves and a trailing trumpet hem that add a witchy flourish. A corset, like the one worn by Huston’s Morticia, can help you create the desired silhouette, but you can also opt for clingy fabrics like jersey, which feature across the evening gowns of Saint Laurent’s Winter 2022 collection.
Read more: This Season, There’s a Saint Laurent Bag for Every Occasion