Lily Collins Is in Her Anti–Emily in Paris Style Era

Though Emily in Paris is officially coming back for season five, Collins may be taking some time off from her character’s iconic aesthetic.

When Collins chopped her long brown hair into a chic blunt bob earlier this summer, it’s possible the 35-year-old actor was looking to put a bit of visible distance between herself and her marketing agency counterpart.

“A lot of people do call me Emily,” Lily Collins recently told a reporter while discussing the show’s cultural impact. “I never thought I’d be a part of something that would become this. You know, I think it’s such a blessing, and it’s something that’s brought me to Rome, and there’s so many amazing things that have come from it. And at the end of the day, to be a part of something that provides people with escapism and just joy—that’s a huge gift.”

Still, she’d probably appreciate people using her actual name—and recently Collins has been unexpected in her approach to street style and red-carpet offerings while promoting the series. Sure, Collins has leaned in and out of Emily’s comfort zone for press events; however, all three looks on September 16 feel decidedly antithetical to her character’s sartorial convictions.

Ahead of her appearance on Good Morning America, Collins was photographed in a sexy merlot leather set with a crocodile-like finish, pairing a plunging long-sleeve crop top with a matching pencil skirt with a leather ruffle. Though Emily might support the silhouette of the skirt, the abs-bearing top and deep red tone are completely Collins.

Lily Collins in Times Square on September 16, 2024, in New York City

The Hapa Blonde

And if that wasn’t enough, Collins pulled out a piece I can’t recall ever being worn by Emily: a simple pair of jeans. Later in the day Collins was spotted in yet another crop top, which she paired with light-wash straight-leg jeans. And while I’m sure Emily would approve the touch of structure from her tailored black blazer, I simply can’t imagine her walking through the streets of Paris—or, I guess, Rome—in those edgy mesh ballet flats.

Collins in NYC’s Hudson Square on September 16, 2024

The Hapa Blonde

Collins in Times Square on September 16, 2024

The Hapa Blonde

With the exception of her iconic ski outfit in season four (I’m still dreaming about it), Emily Cooper tends to shy away from dark colors and monochrome looks unless it fits into the rest of her maximalist aesthetic. The modern-day Carrie Bradshaw is drawn to voluminous, sculptural pieces with even more ostentatious statement accessories. Pants of any kind have little to no place in her wardrobe.

And yet Lily Collins also wore the same black crop top with a dark cherry suit with oversized lapels, further proving herself an excellent source of fall wardrobe inspiration all on her own.