If you have yet to see The Odyssey (guilty!), it’s safe to say you (we) are definitely in the minority. The epic has become director Christopher Nolan’s highest-grossing film – the title previously belonged to The Dark Knight Rises, FYI – surpassing $1.1 billion (£819 million) at the box office within a month of its July 17 release. The plot, cinematography and acting have all been central components in making this such a successful adaptation of Homer’s poem, but the fashion has also been a prominent talking point.
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, known for her work on Bridgerton, may not have remained totally faithful to the period, instead creating a Grecian-inspired wardrobe that feels both elevated and authentic enough to offer some serious escapism. This contemporary interpretation continued on the press tour in the form of jaw-dropping ensembles courtesy of the A-list cast, including Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and Zendaya, all of whom embraced method dressing with aplomb.
Perhaps the biggest indicator of the film’s influence, though, is in the sartorial ripple effect now playing out across the high street. According to Marks & Spencer, there have been more than 118,000 Google searches for ‘draped dress’ in the past month, while searches for ‘women’s gladiator sandals’ have increased by 229%.
“Films have long played a powerful role in fashion: shaping trends, creating visual icons, introducing new aesthetics and driving consumer demand. Generating interest in ancient Greek-inspired dressing, The Odyssey is the latest example of this,” comments Francesca Zedda, head of creative styling at M&S.
“While ancient Greek fashion has been a source of inspiration for designers for decades, with its soft silhouettes being regularly reinterpreted for the modern wardrobe, the film has brought the aesthetic firmly back into the spotlight, making it a standout fashion moment of 2026.”
Indeed, Grecian-inspired dressing is by no means a new phenomenon, but there’s no denying The Odyssey has put the aesthetic firmly back on the fashion agenda. And there’s no better time for it. From elegant draping to fluid, goddess-like silhouettes, the look perfectly lends itself to summer and the endless heatwaves we’ve experienced. Who needs Ithaca when the UK coast is right on our doorsteps?
Looking for a place to start? How about this Zara draped midi dress? In pristine white, the design could have been lifted straight from Zendaya and Law Roach’s The Odyssey press tour playbook. The custom Jacquemus open-back dress and headscarf combo, the Schiaparelli moulded bodice dress and intricately beaded skirt, the custom Louis Vuitton lace cut-out dress with OTT ruffled sleeves, and the most drool-worthy Matiéres Fécales strapless gown complete with feathered wings. Zendaya, who plays the goddess Athena in the film, has repeatedly returned to a pearlescent palette – echoed by this Zara midi.
It’s not just the colour that gives this high-street design its Grecian credentials. A gently draped bodice and asymmetric twisted straps tap directly into the Grecian mood, while the midi length keeps it feeling contemporary and, crucially, wearable beyond your Euro summer Mediterranean holiday.
Ready to channel your inner Greek goddess? Below, shop our edit of the best Grecian-inspired draped dresses available on the high street right now:
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
