It’s T-minus seven days until Stranger Things season two drops. This means two things: firstly, don’t expect to see or hear from us on the 27th October as we’ll be frantically binge watching. And, secondly, our favourite 13-year-old Millie Bobby Brown will be back on the campaign trail. Last season, Millie showed she was cooler and chicer than most adults with more famous pals and sass than we can ever dream of.
Tween years are some of the most awkward. We think you’d agree. Between the cringe fashion statements (hello, Emo past) and the dire haircuts, 13 is rarely kind to anyone. Back when we were of that wee age one tween starlet was stealing the limelight: Emma Watson. At the time we thought she was the epitome of stylish. But, how does she measure up to the new breed of teens? While we don’t like to compare women (because that’s icky, outdated and cruel) but there is something anthropologically interesting to see how far tween-hood has come since the early days of the millennium…
1. Tackling The Red Carpet
Life just isn’t fair, especially if your name is Emma Watson. When she walked the red carpet (or stone floor, in her case) as a 13-year-old, the idea that she'd have a full-on beauty entourage would have been an anathema. Fast forward over a decade and Millie was obviously pampered and preened so that she could own the Golden Globes carpet (even though she was one of the youngest attendees) in a silver sequined dress by Jenny Packham and Sophia Webster shoes.
2. Adding Edge With Leather
Not even 14 and Millie BB has fashion week locked down. Wearing a leather bomber and jeans she obviously knows that looking like you’ve made the least effort wearing ‘this old thing’ is the fastback to the front row. But we're less convinced by 2003 Watson's look: the handkerchief skirt, the glossy jacket and the heart-shaped pendant speaks for itself.
3. Demonstrating Daytime Denim
Blame Pete Doherty as no one (Emma Watson and Kate Moss included) managed to escape the early 2000s without falling prey to a military jacket. That said, at least Watson saved the day with tiny gaudy Chanel studs. Millie took a different approach by tucking in a Western shirt.
4. Proving Butter-Wouldn’t-Consider-Melting With Angelic White
Something is very wrong in the world when a 13-year-old makes cowboy boots covetable. That said, with her slicked back hair and cool gaze we’re easily won over by Millie. However, Emma also hit the jackpot with a maxi cheongsam cream dress. If you forget about the pashmina for a second (it was the early Noughties after all), this looks like it walked right out of Alexa Chung’s fashion collection.
5. Showing An Eye For Detail
Millie proved she has no time for kidswear in a black tulle Red Valentino dress embroidered with birds that cost £1,260. Comparatively, Emma showed her dedication to coordination with this camo shirt dress and trousers. You have to forgive Watson though as this was 2003 when Maharishi was peak cool, and everyone thought it was totally acceptable to wear a dress over trousers.
6. Character-Defining Accessories
Back when Madonna was getting excommunicated from the Church (again) there was nothing more rebellious than donning a crucifix. Nowadays, the most badass way to accessorise is to wear a curiously difficult pair of sunnies à la Bella Hadid or Millie Bobby B.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.