Who What Wear: Tell us about the stylish women that influence you?
Lily James: My grandmother was really stylish. She was an actress and really cool. [Fun fact: James's grandmother Helen Horton was the voice of Mother in Alien.] She used to wear her glasses on chains and was really elegant. When I worked with Cate Blanchett in Cinderella, she was just so beautiful and classy. And Helena Bonham Carter is so mad and sexy. I like people that use dress as a form of expression.
WWW: What’s the one item of clothing you couldn’t do without?
LJ: To be honest, it is my Burberry trench coat. They make every outfit look chic and make me feel good. On the film, I got to wear some great cashmere jumpers.
WWW: You've been able to wear some incredible outfits in many of your roles, such as in Downton Abbey, Cinderella ,and War & Peace. Do you have any favourites?
LJ: I’ve been so lucky. I’ve had some incredible dresses with my work. Rose [Downton Abbey] had some great beaded flapper dresses that really influenced me. I’m more curvy than I am straight down, but Lady Rose’s wardrobe didn’t accentuate that. It was all part of the movement at the time. But Lady Mary also had some killer outfits— Michelle [Dockery] wears a dress very well. There was also a great moment early on when Jessica Brown Findlay [who played Lady Sybil] had on those trousers. I always feel when I’m in an interview and I’m wearing trousers, I give a much better interview, I don’t know what that’s about. I think, perhaps, I feel more comfortable and you can move without having to worry about flashing your knickers or anything [laughs]. I find it really impacts me in my confidence. If you're feeling a little self-conscious… Maybe that’s because I’m really vain [laughs a lot].
