The Holiday Issue
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Martha May Whovier Is the Ultimate Holiday Style Icon
Oh, Martha.
Who’s that girl? Who is that girl! Martha May Whovier, to be specific. She has the best lights in all of Whoville, a sultry voice (“Betty, hiiiii”), and the ability to get any Who heart pumping—even one that’s two sizes too small.
We all know how the story starts: “Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot, but Miss Martha, who lived somewhere in Whoville, was hot.” Or something like that. I’ll admit I haven’t seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas in a while, but I could never forget its resident diva. (Sure, the Grinch himself is kind of a diva, but his wardrobe is nothing in comparison to this star on top of the tree.)
Ahead, discover why Martha May Whovier is still *the* holiday style icon, and take some self-decorating tips to utilize this season.
Martha May Whovier’s Look
With the simplestpart of her often being her signature strand of pearls, Martha May’s style is all about flamboyance and festivity. There are no ugly Christmas sweaters in her closet, unless Whoville’s hottest fashion house whipped up one as a part of this year’s collection. Instead, she stuns in fur-trimmed baby blue baby doll dressing gowns and sexy (also fur-trimmed) Santa outfits. The custom red-and-green evening gown that she wore to the Whobilation is a classic, too.
Shutterstock / Everett Collection / Byrdie
According to a 2000 Los Angeles Times article, costume designer Rita Ryack chose to play into a 1950s aesthetic for the film’s costumes, a fun nod to the original Dr. Seuss book’s 1957 release date. A lot of the looks were meant to appear handmade—”anything you see that looks crude and has lots of macaroni and glitter, they made,” said the Oscar-winning designer—but Martha’s wardrobe was *definitely* made-to-order.
Another thing to note about this diva: She goes full glam. Even in her negligee, her brunette locks are set in retro curls. Her lashes are ultra-fluttery, her shimmery eye shadows rival the tinsel on her tree(s), and her lips stay red. Somehow, she even figured out a way to contour her nose to be even pointier than everyone else’s.
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The Style’s Staying Power
Martha May has been iconic since the film first premiered in November 2000. And yet, there’s something about her style that feels even more covetable as the years go on. Nostalgia plays a part, surely, but she also simply looks amazing. As gorgeous now as she was when that little green boy first locked eyes with her in school
Did she have a crush on the Grinch? Of course not! But everyone had a crush on her.
Getty Images / Byrdie
We’ve been seeing a dressing-gown and baby-doll trend take off this year. Sabrina Carpenter is partially to thank for the look’s popularity, and when it really booms this winter and early next spring, we’ll also be able to look to Valentino’s S/S 26 collection.
It’s also interesting to note that while the film had its ’50s fashion influences, it did come out in the year 2000, so there’s also a Y2K spin on the style that falls perfectly in line with today’s most popular trends.
How to Get the Look
Is Martha May’s look over the top? Yes. Is that okay? Of course! But you can also wear a toned-down version if you’d feel more comfortable—holiday cheer is for everyone. There are so many ways to subtly incorporate MMW into your holiday wardrobe, from wearing your own pearls to adding the teeniest, tiniest bit of faux-fur trim.
@maudeapatow / @kimkardashian / Instagram / Byrdie
Or make the season as bright as possible. I’m talking elbow-length gloves, bows all over, and ruffle and faux-fur trimming to the max.
You can also embrace your inner Martha May spirit with your makeup and hair. Think tendrils tumbling down from your updo and really, really shiny red lipstick. Flirty lashes are a must, and green eye shadow will only add to the allure.
Oh, Martha. Oh, Christmas! Oh, let’s go shopping.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/martha-may-whovier-style-trend-11828852