Just in case this weekend’s yacht PDA was insufficient confirmation for you that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are back on (or at least back getting it on), a message direct from JLO herself. Yesterday she was spotted wearing a necklace that simply spelled out ‘B-E-N’. Bennifer: The Sequel is happening.
A-Listers are well-versed in the philosophy that a picture can tell a thousand words. What they also know, however, is that when it comes to matters of the heart one item of clothing, a single piece of jewellery can translate a definitive ‘on’ or ‘off’ to the world. Much chicer and more efficient than updating your Facebook relationship status, no?
The favoured sartorial tactic of the newly loved up is to share clothes. Lopez has been spotted in Affleck’s plaid shirt. He’s a serial offender; last year, Affleck shared custody of a khaki green shirt with his then girlfriend Ana de Armas. Lily Rose Depp has nabbed Timothée Chalamet’s T-shirt. Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde have been sharing a necklace from the singer's Golden music video; earlier this year rumours heated up that Wilde’s ex-partner Jason Sudeikis was now dating his Ted Lasso co-star, Keeley Hazell, when she was spotted wearing the tie dye hoodie he had earlier collected his Golden Globe in.
The shared wardrobeis a clever move: it reveals a lot – smugly indicating a degree of comfort and intimacy – without having to actually say anything. It’s a tease, simultaneously saying ‘respect my privacy’ and ‘well, if you must know…’ (nobody is as indiscreet as the newly loved-up). It implies you’re serious about one another (well, I would never waste one of my favourite knits on a one-night stand. Would you?)
A wardrobe can be shared in spirit too. What better way to tell the world you are simpatico with someone than dressing with the coordination of a girl band? Brad Pitt is the king of this (he and Gwyneth Paltrow even had matching haircuts). Kimye (RIP) were masters of a tautly choreographed dystopian high-fashion vibe. Britney and Justin’s double denim turn will forever be preserved as an iconic moment of pop culture. And, again, we need hardly tell you that Bennifer were recently spotted in complementary earthy leisurewear. You know those people who are suddenly really into golf/artisan bread/whatever as soon as they get together with someone who is really into golf/artisan bread/whatever? This is them!
There are other tactics of course. Jewellery is one: Pete Davidson and Phoebe Dynevor have matching PD necklaces. Surprise surprise, Mr Affleck enjoys this move too: he and Ana de Armas both wore halves of a BFF heart necklace which is either ‘awww’ or ‘ewww’ depending on your cynicism levels. Speaking of ‘ewww’, wild child lovers have another tactic: wearing vials of one another’s blood. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton did it in the early 2000s; apparently Machine Gun Kelly is wearing Megan Fox’s blood today.
Over on planet Beckham symbols come in a more sedate form – the sartorial signifier that one of the junior Beckhams has a Serious Girlfriend comes when she is spotted wearing Victoria Beckham head-to-toe, as Nicola Peltz and Mia Regan do. Official confirmation comes in the form of kiss-laden caption from HRH VB herself.
But suppose all of this is still not obvious enough for you. There remains one more move: a tattoo. Nothing says crazy in love like inking your partner’s name to your flesh. PSA for serial daters: we’d urge you against this move. Celebrities can be love fools like the rest of us – but unlike the rest of us, they also have access to the very best laser therapy.
SEE: JLo's Best Style Moments Through The Decades
1 of 38January 2005
In saucy white ruffles and knee-high boots for 2005's NRJ Music Awards in Cannes.
2 of 38January 2009
Shimmering in a backless creation by Marchesa, and matching the statuettes no less, at 2009's Golden Globes.
3 of 38January 2010
Making fishing net fashion fair game on the red carpet, well this was Versace, at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
4 of 38February 2000
That Versace dress at 2000's Grammy Awards - see-through and slashed to the naval - is arguably JLo's most iconic look of all time.
5 of 38February 2011
JLo dressed like a disco ball, in mirrored Emilio Pucci, at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
6 of 38February 2019
Giving Ralph & Russo even more attitude with the widest of wide-brimmed hats at 2019's Grammy Awards.
7 of 38March 1997
The singer-actor wore embellished Badgley Mischka for the 69th Annual Academy Awards.
8 of 38March 2003
This Valentino number at 2003's Academy Awards, plus diamonds from Harry Winston, was peak Bennifer.
9 of 38March 2005
The singer sported a fringed poncho that was actually from her own label, Sweetface, at an album signing in NYC.
10 of 38April 2004
The 17th Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Has a beret ever looked better?
11 of 38April 2010
At The Back-Up Plan screening in Miami, JLo proved she'll always be a snake-print woman at heart.
12 of 38April 2018
Super long locks, and a cut-out minidress by David Koma, for the 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards.
13 of 38May 2002
Borrowing Paris Hilton's signature - a velour tracksuit - at MTV's TRL.
14 of 38May 2013
Going for all-out glam at the 2013's Met Gala wearing a backless gown and gravity-defying quiff.
15 of 38May 2019
JLo was resplendent this silver-fringed frock by her favourite label, Versace, at 2019's Met Gala.
16 of 38June 1997
Prime '90s territory in backless (and spaghetti-strapped) Tom Ford at a fashion benefit for APLA.
17 of 38June 2013
About to be anointed as a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, JLo had a full-skirted moment in Dior.
18 of 38June 2019
To collect her Fashion Icon Award at 2019's CFDA Awards, JLo showed a slice of skin in tomato red (and extravagantly-trained) Ralph Lauren.
19 of 38July 2001
Did JLo start the current headband trend? Probably. Here she is sporting one with a micro rugby shirt circa 2001.
20 of 38July 2015
All eyes were on JLo at her birthday party at 1OAK Southampton wearing peekaboo Bao Tranchi.
21 of 38July 2018
Only JLo could pull off these slouchy denim trouser boots from Versace.
22 of 38August 2004
A floppy hat completed her look at 2004's MTV Music Video Awards.
23 of 38August 2016
A denim jumpsuit, and a slick of red lipstick, for Jennifer Klein's Annual Day of Indulgence.
24 of 38August 2019
For the Hustlers premiere, JLo arrived surprisingly unbedazzled, instead choosing a sleek burgundy ensemble by Zimmermann.
25 of 38September 2000
At MTV's VMAs in an ab-tastic crop top and bandana headscarf.
26 of 38September 2010
In a shredded mini and thigh-high boots for NYFW.
27 of 38Jennifer Lopez
She proved she's still got it - and then some - at Versace's anniversary show in 2019, sporting a reissue of the famous jungle-print dress from 2000. Internet-breaking stuff.
28 of 38October 2000
Pairing a chunky metallic belt with a plunging playsuit at the Vogue Fashion Awards.
29 of 38October 2014
In leopard-print Valentino for 2014's Variety Power of Women event.
30 of 38October 2015
In a houndstooth coat and thick-rimmed opticals at the Rock the Kasbah NYC Premiere.
31 of 38November 2002
In a chain-embellished top and cargo pants at TRL.
32 of 38November 2014
Arriving to The Late Show with David Letterman wearing Paule Ka wide-leg trousers and a criss-cross crop top from Milly.
33 of 38November 2015
More cut-outs for the 2015 American Music Awards in a dress by Charbel Zoe.
34 of 38December 1999
Top of the crops in a bejewelled co-ord and calf-length boots for the Britannia Record of the Year Awards.
35 of 38December 2018
Regal in white and moviestar shades for NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
36 of 38December 2018
Miles of hot pink Giambattista Valli tulle for the Second Act premiere.
37 of 38February 2020
Looking pin-sharp in three-piece Sally Lapoint at Oprah's 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus Tour.
38 of 38February 2020
In spangled, and full-skirted, Valentino for 2020's Independent Spirit Awards.
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