Fashion
“The Bear” Season 3: Fashion Highlights and Exclusive Collaborations
The Bear, an American TV series distributed in Italy on Disney+, is no longer just a cooking show. The third season, available in America since June 26 (for the Italian release, we have to wait until August 14), has confirmed that The Original Beef of Chicagoland once again claims the title of the trendiest restaurant ever. Premiering on screens in 2022, the series has captivated audiences by immersing them in the stressful world of American hospitality and telling the challenges that protagonist Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) faces to revive the family sandwich shop. Like other American TV series – first of all, The Office – it seems that The Bear has found success thanks to a transparent representation of the work world, addressing issues such as underpaid work, the overlap between private and professional life, and the now-famous burnout – all realities that led it to win the 2024 Golden Globe for best television show. In addition to daring health inspections, disputes between colleagues, and debts to pay off, the series has always stood out for the characters’ style, from Carmy’s white t-shirts to Sydney Adamu’s (Ayo Edebiri) signature fits, sous-chef and right hand to the protagonist. The big news this year is a collaboration with the American brand J.Crew inspired by the restaurant brigade: in addition to unofficial (but no less viral) merchandise, those dreaming of joining Edibiri and White in the kitchen can now purchase a complete uniform with a t-shirt, a work jacket, and a cap with the inscription “Matter of Fak Supply”, a reference to the quirky character Fak—the plumber turned waiter.
Sydney’s Best Looks in The Bear
Those who have already had the chance to see the new episodes of The Bear agree that in the fashion department, the true star of the show is Sydney. A result that is not surprising, given Edebiri’s impeccable style choices outside the show, from red carpets to talk shows. While in the kitchen Sydney wears a wonderful uniform by Thom Browne, which Carmy gave her at the end of the second season, in the new episodes the sous chef elevates the female chef aesthetic even away from the stove, with pieces like a printed dress by Dries Van Noten, a vintage sweater with an equestrian embroidery by Ralph Lauren, a striped cotton shirt by New York brand Nikki Chasin, a bermuda and sweatshirt set by Comme des Garçons, and the black Bou Bag by Ganni. It doesn’t end there: her hair bandanas have also become a social sensation. From the chard leaf print one by Centinelle to the black and white checkered one by World of Crow, passing through the patchwork by Japanese brand Kapital and the 1950s vintage one with the calorie list, this season saw an array of unique hair accessories, all marked by a special dedication to the world of dining. «The initial inspiration for Sydney’s style and her bandanas came from research on other female chefs and what they wore in the kitchen,» explained costume designer Cristina Spiridakis. The bandana, according to Spiridakis’ colleague Courtney Wheeler, also becomes a means of expression, managing to «bring Sydney’s point of view into environments that might not easily accept her voice.» She adds, «For many Black women, myself included, there’s a bit of instinct to protect our hair, so that’s also an element at play here.»
Carmy’s Elevated Chefcore
As for the costumes of the charming Jeremy Allen White, the star brand of the new episodes is Ralph Lauren, with a combination of classicism and sportiness. In Carmy’s wardrobe, we find a navy rugby polo with a white collar and long sleeves from the American brand’s collaboration with Palace and a cotton deck jacket, also by Ralph Lauren. In the first episode, we see the brands Birkenstock, with the black leather Tokyo sandals and rubber soles, and Barbour, with an olive jacket with elbow patches. Thus continues the same careful search for a casual chic style that, since the first season, has become a reference point for many viewers. «The intention was never to be ‘stylish’—to be honest, a white t-shirt, black Dickies pants, and Birkenstocks are a common look among cooks. Carmy is someone who appreciates quality and classics, items that last, that are not difficult or trendy—things created with respect for the garment itself,» explained Spiridakis in an interview with GQ.
It was precisely thanks to simple white t-shirts that the first season made its mark. Carmy wore them under the navy apron of his restaurant’s kitchen: no logos, no writings, the only accessory of his look (which in the United States became a popular Halloween costume since the first season’s release) was his tattoos. After careful research on social media, it was confirmed that the cook’s favorite t-shirts belonged to the German brand Merz B. Schwanen, sold out in a few days and currently unavailable. The search to emulate the chef’s aesthetic continued with the wide selection of vintage jeans seen in the pilot episode, when we discover that Carmy’s home oven is full of them. Naturally, Levi’s and Dickies are the go-to brands. The same goes for some of his jackets: the vintage denim 1955 Levi’s Type III, which Carmy trades for a cooler filled with meat, and the patchwork wool jacket by the Danish brand NN.07, quickly sold out but available again by next fall.
Honorable Mention for Cousin Richie’s Style
In terms of style, despite a slightly more American normcore look, Cousin Richie is no less impressive. Actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach said he was extensively involved in studying his wardrobe. «I take costumes very seriously, so sometimes those meetings with the costume designers can be tense—I try to enter diplomatically, take a breath outside the wardrobe room and say, ‘Ebon, listen to what they have to say.’» But the meeting with Spiridakis and Wheeler was easy: from the start, they agreed on adidas Forum 84 high tops – «there was a stack of ten pairs of adidas high tops waiting for me» – sweatpants and vintage vegan leather biker jackets by Members Only.