In the following analysis, I will examine A Simple Favor, a film released in 2018 and directed by Paul Feig. My focus will be on the costumes. I will explore how the characters’ clothing choices relate to their personalities, the development of the plot, the atmosphere, and the overall themes and messages of the film.

Spoiler Alert: This article contains major plot spoilers from A Simple Favor. If you haven’t seen the film yet and want to experience the twists firsthand, we recommend watching it before reading further.

Genre and Costume Role

Genre-wise, A Simple Favor is best described as a mystery-crime-comedy, though some sources also categorize it as a thriller. Costumes and style play a vital role in shaping the characters and the narrative, and the film cleverly uses fashion to establish mood and define character traits.

Characters and Contrast: Stephanie vs. Emily

At the heart of the movie are the two main characters, Emily and Stephanie, and one of the defining elements of the film is its twist-filled storyline. We are first introduced to Stephanie, a sweet, somewhat overly eager single suburban mom. In addition to being a full-time “supermom,” she also runs a vlog, where she mainly shares recipes with her small but loyal group of followers—at least at the start of the film.

Her wardrobe reflects her naive and reserved character; she’s often seen in soft colors, collared blouses, and modest clothing. In the opening minutes of the film, for example, we catch a glimpse of her turquoise cat-print socks peeking out from her ankle boots paired with a mini skirt—a choice likely meant to subtly highlight her slightly awkward nature. Emily, the other protagonist, compliments the socks, though her tone carries a hint of irony.

Emily’s Bold Fashion Identity

Let’s now shift to Emily, who is the complete opposite of Stephanie. The contrast between them becomes especially clear in the scene with the cat socks, but it’s evident even before that. Emily is far from the “supermom” archetype—she’s the last to pick up her son from school and casually invites Stephanie over for drinks while their kids play.

Her wardrobe also reflects her personality: we first see her in a black pantsuit and hat, emphasizing her bold, dominant, and somewhat extravagant yet mysterious persona. Emily’s clothing borders on masculine, with a sharply tailored, powerful, and elegant appearance. She tends to choose bold, high-fashion pieces that are striking and attention-grabbing.

Power and Elegance Through Style

Often, she wears sophisticated, structured outfits that create a polished and attractive image. Her looks are typically completed with high heels, dramatic, masculine-inspired accessories, and natural makeup, all of which contribute to a refined, commanding, and elegant style. Her fashion sense helps preserve her air of mystery and allure.

Through her extravagant and trendy appearance, she draws attention and knows how to manipulate people. The mystery and elegance in her wardrobe contribute significantly to her character development and the viewer’s understanding of her role in the story. Emily’s clothing is a powerful tool for character building and enhancing the film’s atmosphere, emphasizing her enigmatic and captivating presence.

Style as a Class Indicator

The contrast between Emily and Stephanie is also reflected in the perceived cost of their clothes—Stephanie’s outfits appear more casual and affordable, while Emily’s wardrobe seems much more high-end. This is likely intentional, as Emily’s home also suggests a wealthy lifestyle. She lives with her husband and son in a large, beautiful house with a minimalist design, gray tones, and spacious rooms.

When Stephanie compliments the house, Emily mentions how expensive it is and how she and her husband struggle to afford it. We soon meet Emily’s husband, Sean, when he arrives home one afternoon. Sean isn’t particularly striking—he’s a rather balanced character, and his “smart casual” wardrobe reflects that.

Sean: Background Presence

He wears darker, neutral basics that don’t stand out, helping him blend into the background. Emily mentions that Sean is a writer—he had one successful book in the past and now teaches. Emily herself works as a PR manager for a high-end fashion brand in New York and only enjoys the kitchen as long as she’s pouring herself a Martini.

Friendship and Secrets

This shared love of cocktails is what brings her and Stephanie closer. Their casual afternoon drinks become a routine, and they begin to bond. However, getting close to Emily isn’t so simple.

Though they share “secrets” during their drinking sessions, it becomes increasingly clear as the story unfolds that Emily barely reveals anything real about herself—and with good reason. Stephanie, in her sincere naivety, finds Emily’s boldness admirable and appreciates her advice on how to stand up for herself. Emily, in turn, benefits from Stephanie’s helpfulness and reliability—Stephanie even offers to pick up Emily’s son from school and watch him in the afternoon if needed.

The Disappearance

This is where the story starts to take off. One afternoon, Emily takes Stephanie up on her offer and asks her to pick up her son due to a long meeting. Stephanie is happy to help.

The real trouble begins when Emily doesn’t show up that evening, and Stephanie can’t reach her despite multiple attempts. She calls Sean, who tells her that Emily does have a tendency to disappear when she knows someone is watching their son. He says he’s visiting his mother but promises to fly back to Connecticut the next day.

Search and Style Shift

Days go by, but Emily doesn’t return, prompting a police report. Stephanie turns to her vlog viewers for help, asking anyone who might know anything about her missing friend to come forward. She doesn’t stop there—she follows her instincts, sensing that something isn’t right.

She can’t imagine Emily just vanishing without telling anyone, so she visits her workplace. Here, we see the first shift in Stephanie’s style—she knows she’s headed to a top fashion company and dresses up for the occasion, trying to be trendy—with mixed results. The effort comes off a bit awkwardly, and one of Emily’s superiors, the company’s founder, even makes a snide remark about her outfit, suggesting she shouldn’t wear an Hermès scarf with a Gap T-shirt.

The Mystery Deepens

Nonetheless, Stephanie’s visit yields some success. No one at the office knows Emily’s whereabouts, but she sneaks into Emily’s office and finds some clues to start piecing together the mystery. Shortly after, one of her vlog followers shares a tip that leads her to a lake—where Emily’s body is found.

This launches the film’s grief arc, during which Sean and Stephanie grow closer. Sean appreciates and benefits from Stephanie’s care, and it becomes an open secret that their relationship goes beyond friendship. At this point in the story, we start to notice a clear shift in Stephanie’s wardrobe.

Stephanie’s Transformation

She often admires Emily’s closet and even tries on one of her figure-hugging black dresses. This moment likely marks a turning point intended by the filmmakers—the dress is a bit too tight, so she can’t zip it up, and just then, the detective investigating the case shows up at the door. Stephanie has no choice but to answer it in Emily’s cocktail dress.

The scene is also a narrative turning point—the detective begins asking uncomfortable questions about Emily’s disappearance. Suspicion even begins to fall on Sean, who might not be as innocent as he seems, especially since he asks Stephanie to move in not long after Emily’s presumed death. Of course, the film is far from over, and with so much runtime left, we can expect a twist.

Truth Revealed

Stephanie isn’t satisfied and continues her investigation. She uncovers more dark secrets about Emily’s past—and present—because, as it turns out, Emily is very much alive. Thanks to Stephanie’s efforts, the truth slowly unravels, revealing why Emily faked her own death.

Stephanie’s earlier wardrobe of simple, practical, everyday clothes—fitting for a naive suburban mom—begins to fade. As she gets deeper into the mystery, her clothing choices evolve. The more she learns about Emily, the more her confidence grows—and this is reflected in her style.

Confidence in Clothing

She begins experimenting with fashion and bolder looks. Her outfits become more significant as she steps into a central role in the story. Her appearance gradually transforms from modest and innocent to confident and stylish.

In some scenes, she wears form-fitting, fashionable clothes that highlight her figure. This change in style mirrors Stephanie’s character development. She evolves from a naive and uncertain mom into a self-assured, proactive, and determined woman.

Emily’s Style Softens

The shift in her fashion also symbolizes her stepping out of her comfort zone. Stephanie’s wardrobe doesn’t just reflect her personality—it aligns with her growth and transformation throughout the story. As the plot progresses and the truth behind Emily’s disappearance begins to unfold, we also see more layers to her character.

Her wardrobe reflects these changes. Emily’s clothes become less extravagant and bold. Her style takes on a more subdued tone, signaling internal change and emotional vulnerability.

Closing Looks and Final Thoughts

As her secrets come to light, her clothing choices suggest that she’s not just a confident, powerful woman—she also has a darker, more fragile side. The outfit she wears in the final scene represents a kind of transition between the mysterious, dominant Emily we met at the beginning and a softer, more exposed version of her. She wears a pastel blue patterned dress that’s more delicate and feminine—as if the filmmakers are signaling that she’s no longer “in control.”

The shifting fashion choices throughout the film reflect both Emily’s character development and the changing dynamics of the story. Through clothing, we move from the image of a bold, self-assured woman to one who reveals her vulnerabilities. Emily’s wardrobe helps viewers trace her arc and understand her complexities.

As for Sean, we don’t see much of a transformation in his clothing. Compared to the two leading women, Sean remains a background character, and his style stays relatively the same—understated and low-key. His wardrobe isn’t meant to stand out or change dramatically, reinforcing his supporting role in the story rather than contributing to major character development or plot shifts.

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