Suki Waterhouse is the New Style Icon Our Generation Needed

“I have nepo baby energy,” admits a candid Suki Waterhouse on a recent episode of EmRata’s High Low podcast where she was a guest. The comment was remarkably self-aware. The model-turned-singer-songwriter-actor is a combination of multi-hyphenates that’s better described, as we do these days, simply as “cool girl”. And cool-girl energy is what Waterhouse has in spades. 

Flying relatively under the radar in recent years, Waterhouse is one who possesses the effortless glam that so much of Hollywood is after—yet she seems to have it naturally. Maybe you know Waterhouse for her music—she released her debut album I Can’t Let Go last spring and TikTok has made her song Good Looking go viral—the fact that she’s dating the internet’s favorite moody heartthrob Robert Pattinson, or the fact that she’s starring in this spring’s most highly-anticipated TV series, Hulu’s Daisy Jones and the Six.

The fluidity with which Waterhouse has been able to move from creative career to creative career seems like the kind of path that’s only available to those who’s parents or family members provided a plethora of industry connections. And yet Waterhouse, a West London native was scouted at age 16 and worked her way into the spotlight via her modeling work and the connections she made along the way. 

Regardless of how you came to know Waterhouse, though, there’s no denying that she’s in her moment. She’s always had that cool-girl vibe with model-off-duty style and a perfectly-messy coif of French-girl fringe to go with. But with the arrival of Daisy Jones has come a flood of new red carpet and street style ensembles from the star, with each look being even more major than the last. It has us certain that Waterhouse is the next style icon of our generation—and with so much of Hollywood paring things back with their tailored minimalism, the arrival of Waterhouse and her ’70s-era fringe and plethora of glamorous sequined, sheer, and high-octane ensembles, it’s a total breath of fresh air.

Below, dive into 11 of the looks that are defining Suki Waterhouse’s major style right now.

On Suki Waterhouse: Elie Saab fall 2023 couture gown; Reza diamond jewelry. At the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar party, Waterhouse stole the show in her sequined gown affixed with a massive rosette. 3D florals are proving to be a major red carpet trend this awards season, and Waterhouse’s take had an especially glamorous appeal.

On Waterhouse: Stephane Rolland dress; Tyler Ellis clutch; Misho Sirena Hoop Earrings and Ear Cuff ($178); . Waterhouse turned out major ’70s energy to the Daisy Jones and the Six premiere in Los Angeles.

On Waterhouse: Philosophy di Lorenza Serafini look; Calzedonia 8 Denier Sheer Tights ($10); Gucci Patent Pumps ($990). Waterhouse looked the part of a musician in the ’70s for a day spent doing Daisy Jones press in NYC—she does play keyboardist Karen Sirko in the Hulu series, after all. And the Philosophy di Lorenza Serafini look she wore—complete with denim hot pants, sheer tights, and a flower choker—definitely did the trick.

On Waterhouse: Gucci coat, dress, boots, and sunglasses; Anita Ko jewelry. Keeping in step with the late ’60s/early ’70s-era wardrobe of her Daisy Jones character, Waterhouse combined luscious faux fur outerwear with oversize tinted sunglasses and, yes, modern-day go-go boots.

On Waterhouse: Alexandre Vauthier dress. The thing about Suki Waterhouse and her style is that she can make anything, even a billowing sequined gown and matching stiletto boots, look totally effortless.

For her cameo performance during Veronica Beard’s fall/winter 2023 NYFW presentation, Waterhouse nailed a modern rock-and-roll feel with a sharp blazer complete with crystal and feather details.

On Waterhouse: Tory Burch spring 2023 look. Waterhouse, it turns out, is a Burch girl. Like so many of Hollywood’s most noteworthy rising talent, she attended the fall/winter 2023 show dressed in a look from the current-season runway. The sleek pumps and fluid fabrics were a reprieve from her more glamorous red carpet ensembles and yet this looks proves Waterhouse is the ultimate style chameleon.

On Waterhouse: Givenchy blazer, shorts, boots, and bag; DSquared2 sunglasses. Waterhouse’s press tour wardrobe has proved to be nothing short of star-powered with brands from Gucci to Givenchy dressing the rising actress.

On Waterhouse: Boss suit. She managed to remix something as simple as a white suit by wearing a bra top in lieu of a vest underneath.

Here, Waterhouse transformed a simple pantsuit with the addition of statement sunglasses and it proves you’re only one accessory away from a look at all time.

On Waterhouse: Fendi dress, bag, and shoes. Waterhouse rarely veers too far into ladylike dressing but when she does, it’s always with a slightly sultry feel, like this sheer Fendi dress she wore with point-toe pumps.

Up next: Emma Chamberlain’s Style Is on My Spring Mood Board—9 Looks I Can’t Wait to Try