Tessa Thompson Is Hollywood’s Newest Favorite Fashion Muse

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Tessa Thompson is having the time of her life. It’s evident in the way she plays with fashion and carries herself.

We’ve seen a glimpse of her sartorial talent before. She easily went from retro-chic to charming in florals and full-on futuristic without batting an eyelash.

This year, Tessa unleashed her sartorial powers in full force. Backed by a super team headed by stylists Wayman Deon and Micah McDonald (who go by Wayman + Micah), Tessa has been churning out a series of show-stopping looks.

The 38-year-old continues to showcase her bold, irreverent, and playful approach to fashion with her choices. Whether it’s for a red-carpet event or a more low-key affair, you can expect Tessa to bring her style A-game.

Here are some of her best and most memorable looks so far this year:

1. Schiaparelli Spring 2022 Haute Couture and Giambattista Valli

In a sea of dresses, you could easily spot Tessa in her Bermuda shorts on the blue carpet. She joined fellow fashion risk-takers Willow Smith, Janelle Monáe, and Hunter Schafer at the star-studded event.

This Schiaparelli Spring 2022 Haute Couture look consisted of an ivory jacket with an exaggerated black velvet collar. Her black Bermuda shorts with ivory trim were styled with Wolford black tights and Giambattista Valli pointy-toe platform heels.

Tessa Thompson in Schiaparelli Spring 2022 Haute Couture at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar PartyTessa Thompson in Schiaparelli Spring 2022 Haute Couture at the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California, on March 27, 2022 (Credit: INSTARimages)

She swept her hair in a sleek updo, accessorized with Misho mani nail rings, and added dramatic eye makeup. Tessa also carried a camera instead of a clutch. She shared some of her snaps from the party on Instagram.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Tessa Thompson (@tessamaethompson)

2. Custom Carolina Herrera and Piferi

This year’s Met Gala saw a lot of pink courtesy of Valentino’s PP Pink wave from stars like Nicola Peltz-Beckham and Jenna Ortega.

Tessa made her own pink moment with a custom Carolina Herrera gown that had a show-stopping train. It had a grosgrain bodice with an open back, and the train was made of 200 meters of gathered tulle.

Her beauty look consisted of a low ponytail, a Delfina Delettrez earring, and dark ruby makeup for some contrast.

Tessa Thompson in custom Carolina Herrera at the 2022 Met GalaTessa Thompson at the 2022 Met Gala Celebrating “In America: An Anthology of Fashion” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 2, 2022, in New York City (Credit: PA IMAGES / INSTARimages)

She wore the Hera over-the-knee boots from the Italian animal-free luxury brand Pīferi, which featured a vegan pink satin construction.

Tessa Thompson wearing a custom Carolina Herrera gown and Piferi boots at the 2022 Met GalaTessa Thompson wearing a custom Carolina Herrera gown and Piferi pink over-the-knee boots at the 2022 Met Gala (Credit: JENNIFER GRAYLOCK / INSTARimages)

Before founding Pīferi, Alfredo Pīferi worked as a designer at luxury fashion brands including Jimmy Choo and Burberry.

Hera Over-the-Knee Boots, $1,474

Piferi Hera Over-the-Knee BootsThese over-the-knee boots have chisel toes, side zip closures, and iconic Dali heels

3. Interior Fall 2022 and Gianvito Rossi

Tessa slithered on the black carpet in this sultry gold translucent gown from Interior’s Fall 2022 collection.

Crafted from crinkled sheer silk, Tessa looked like she stepped out of a sci-fi flick. It’s only logical that she chose this number for the premiere of Westworld’s new season.

Tessa Thompson at the Westworld Season 4 premiereTessa Thompson at the Westworld Season 4 premiere held at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on June 21, 2022 (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

The dress featured a bateau neckline, long sleeves, and a short train. It also had a sexy open back accented by black bows.

Her auburn curls were styled in a low ponytail that was tied back by a black ribbon, which doubled as a choker. She finished off her look with copper-tone makeup, REZA jewelry, and Gianvito Rossi heels.

Tessa Thompson wearing an Interior Fall 2022 gown and Gianvito Rossi heelsTessa Thompson wearing an Interior Fall 2022 gold translucent gown and Gianvito Rossi heels at Westworld’s Season 4 premiere (Credit: Jennifer Graylock / INSTARimages)

The American actress has been on Westworld since its first season. She acts alongside a star-studded cast that includes Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Aaron Paul, and James Marsden.

Tessa Thompson as Charlotte Hale in WestworldTessa Thompson as Charlotte Hale in the 2016 dystopian sci-fi TV series Westworld (Credit: HBO)

4. MM6 Maison Marginal Pre-Fall 2022 and By Far

It takes confidence and innate coolness to wear a mishmash of pieces and make them look like they’re meant to be worn that way.

Such was the case for Tessa’s ensemble as she strutted her way to the Jimmy Kimmel Live studios.

She wore a Pre-Fall 2022 look from MM6 Maison Margiela that consisted of an olive turtleneck and a chartreuse top. The front was tucked into a long white denim skirt with a center slit and a jean print.

Tessa Thompson in MM6 Maison Margiela outside the Jimmy Kimmel Live studiosTessa Thompson looking cool in MM6 Maison Margiela outside the Jimmy Kimmel Live studios on June 22, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

The Westworld actress also wore flower shades from Loewe and carried a white hobo bag from Giorgio Armani. She completed her look with By Far Stevie croc-embossed leather boots.

Stevie Croc-Embossed Leather Boots, $625 at Nordstrom

By Far Stevie Croc-Embossed Leather BootsThese shoes have a pull-on style, pointed toes, and angular heels

5. Puppets and Puppets Fall 2022 and Christian Louboutin

As for her talk show appearance, Tessa went all out with a strapless snakeskin print dress from Puppets and Puppets.

Tessa Thompson in Puppets and Puppets for her Jimmy Kimmel Live guest stintTessa Thompson wearing a snakeskin print dress from Puppets and Puppets for her Jimmy Kimmel Live guest stint (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

The dress looked deceptively tame on the front, but it actually had a show-stopping back. She styled her hair in a sleek braided updo and rounded out her look with a pair of Christian Louboutin black pointy-toe pumps.

Tessa Thompson in Puppets and Puppets dress and Christian Louboutin heelsTessa Thompson sashayed her way into the Jimmy Kimmel Live studios in a show-stopping Puppets and Puppets dress and Christian Louboutin heels (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

6. Armani Price Spring 2011 and Stuart Weitzman

For the premiere of Thor: Love and Thunder, Tessa channeled her inner galactic princess in Armani Prive.

This Spring 2011 strapless column gown looked like liquid metal as she sauntered down the red carpet. It featured a reflective blue-grey fabric construction with asymmetrical cut-out detail on the waist.

Tessa styled it with an assortment of jewels, including a statement arm cuff. She completed her look with Stuart Weitzman Nudist Hollywood platform sandals.

Tessa Thompson looking like a galactic princess at the Thor: Love and Thunder premiereTessa Thompson looking like a galactic princess at the Thor: Love and Thunder premiere held at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on June 23, 2022 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

Directed by Taika Waititi, the latest installment of Marvel’s Thor films is guaranteed to be one of the biggest movies of the year.

Alongside Tessa, it stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role. It also marks the return of Academy Award winner Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who now wields Mjolnir.

Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie in Thor: Love and ThunderTessa Thompson as Valkyrie in the 2022 superhero film Thor: Love and Thunder (Credit: Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

7. Schiaparelli Spring 2022

If you want more proof of Tessa’s bold approach to fashion, take a look at this head-to-toe Schiaparelli Spring 2022 look.

She was spotted outside the Good Morning America studios in a floral jacket over a shiny low-cut top. The Thor: Love and Thunder actress also wore the matching floral mini skirt from the same collection.

Tessa Thompson in head-to-toe Schiaparelli outside the Good Morning America studiosTessa Thompson in head-to-toe Schiaparelli outside the Good Morning America studios on June 27, 2022, in New York City (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages)

But the highlight of her look is the pair of Schiaparelli Spring 2022 striped boots. They featured black-and-white stripes, chunky platforms, and molded gold toes.

We’ve also seen different styles of Schiaparelli shoes with molded gold toes from Naomi Campbell and Doja Cat.

Tessa Thompson wearing Schiaparelli striped platform boots with molded gold toesTessa Thompson wearing Schiaparelli striped platform boots with molded gold toes (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages)

To finish off her look, Tessa kept her styling simple to tone down the bold prints. Her hair was styled in loose auburn curls, and she accessorized with sunglasses and a black leather bag from Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani.

8. Interior Spring 2022 and Larroude

For her final look on the list, Tessa opted for monochrome. She wore a white strapless fringe dress from Interior’s Spring 2022 collection.

This was her second look for Good Morning America as the busy actress had two big projects to promote.

She wore the same Giorgio Armani shades and carried the same bag, but chose white boots this time.

Tessa Thompson in a monochromatic look outside the Good Morning America studiosTessa Thompson in a monochromatic look outside the Good Morning America studios on June 27, 2022, in New York City (Credit: ROGER WONG / INSTARimages)

The fashionable star wore knee-high boots from Larroude to complete her monochromatic look. You can get these boots in ivory leather at Revolve.

Larroude Kate Boots in Ivory Leather, $450

Larroude Kate Boots in Ivory LeatherThese knee-high boots have a pull-on style, pointed toes, and stiletto heels

Tessa Thompson’s love for conceptual and fashion-forward looks keeps everything interesting and exciting. At a time when Hollywood likes to play it safe for high-profile events, Tessa chooses to take risks and have fun.

We look forward to seeing more of her style as she continues the promotional circuit for the rest of the year.

What’s your favorite look from Tessa Thompson from this list?