Decoding Outfits from the Wuthering Heights Press Tour

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been made very aware of the new Wuthering Heights film adaptation that came out on Valentine’s Day, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, and directed by Emerald Fennell. Some people are not convinced by the casting, particularly regarding Heathcliff’s race in the novel and the characters’ ages, while others can’t wait for the release. However, today we are talking about the clothes. The looks so far seem to have been hinting at and embodying themes of dark romance to come. Join me as I discuss a few of my favourite looks from the press tour and on the red carpet.

Credit: Vogue

If you saw Saltburn, also directed by Emerald Fennell, you’ll have guessed that the clothes on the press tour are alluding to the intense love story at the heart of the film. A similar aesthetic was present in Saltburn, and Fennell seems to have possibly made Wuthering Heights even more extreme, as this film will be based on an iconic but tragic love story between two people. Also, reviews of the film have warned that there will be ‘discomforting explicit scenes’ and ‘absurd’ intimate scenes. But let’s see if the press tour clothes reveal what is to come.

Credit: Vogue

A gothic romantic vibe is clearly present in Robbie’s dress from Schiaparelli, a French designer brand known for bold designs. This dress suggests darkness by having black velvet as a centrepiece, but also love and romance with the dramatic red. The tight lace bodice that is slightly sheer reveals the modern twist Fennell has taken by dismissing the importance of modesty that was omnipotent during the late 1700s when the book is set. This dress might be hinting at the explicit scenes to come and the many layers to Cathy’s character as she is haunting, tragic, and passionate.

Credit: Vogue

Now, we can’t discuss the press tour fashion without talking about Jacob Elordi. While his suit isn’t necessarily as striking as Robbie’s dress, it embodies the dark and complicated character that is Heathcliff. His long and dark hairstyle takes it further, matching the role. Margot Robbie is seen again in red velvet, this time encompassing the whole dress, suggesting the romance and beauty in her character. The huge pearl on her necklace represents the femininity and purity her character embodies. This is a stark contrast to the darkness of Elordi’s suit and shirt, which is high at the neck, totally covering him in black.

Credit: Vogue

Here we have another sheer look from Robbie, which is also dark and gothic in the print and the colour. There seems to be a black/red/white colour scheme for both of the main characters, telling us of the consistent themes of love and darkness, with occasional pockets of lightness seeping through. The outfit Robbie is wearing focuses on the eerie side of the story, mirroring Cathy’s character as a literal ghost that haunts Heathcliff. Fennell’s modern take on the story in terms of looks is also obvious in this outfit as Robbie’s dresses are consistently revealing, flattering, and designer. Again, I don’t think Cathy was wearing Chanel in the Yorkshire moors in the 1800s, but in 2026 she is.

Finally, I have seen that Margot gifted Jacob a matching signet ring set that has inscribed: ‘whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same’. Two skeletons embrace, surrounded by roses and thorns. The rings are symbolic of an eternal and real-life bond they have after the filming process. My main take from these rings is that they are proof of what I said at the beginning, and of what all these outfits seem to hint at: we can trust Fennell to take dark romance and seduction ten times further than most directors would.

Credit: Who What Wear

Some people online were interpreting these matching rings as evidence that Robbie and Elordi had developed a real connection while filming. These theories came about after Margot Robbie said they were co-dependent on each other after being on set together so much. However, recently she set the record straight by saying that they are just friends and simply had fun filming it.

Personally, I am excited to see the 19^th-century story re-created by Fennell, starring real-life Barbie wearing lace and going to the moors for the first time. Some people are more skeptical and concerned with sticking to the traditions of the original book, which makes sense, but ultimately, I feel optimistic.