The narrative, costumes, and beauty looks weave a captivating tale of passion and societal constraints with a gothic allure. The hairstyles worn by Margot Robbie in “Wuthering Heights” are not merely stylistic choices but complete storytelling devices. They convey the character’s evolution, her inner state, and simultaneously allude to historical archetypes.
The new “Wuthering Heights” is a cinematic project that perfectly captures the mood of 2026 cinema: an adaptation of one of the most renowned novels about fated love, penned by Emily Brontë, directed by Emerald Fennell. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, with a soundtrack by pop star Charli XCX. Within the gothic-romantic universe the director immerses the audience in, numerous details and symbols are hidden: from the set design to the hairstyles of the main protagonist, Cathy.
Her long, fair hair becomes a vessel of memory, passion, and inner conflict. Alongside the set design, it occasionally hints at the passionate connection between Cathy and Heathcliff—even to the point of having overtly suggestive forms. Let’s examine the film’s most striking hairstyles (spoiler-free), which are already poised to go viral.
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The “Corset” Braid—A Dollhouse Effect
According to the plot, Cathy is married to Edgar Linton and lives in his luxurious estate. The space, initially seeming like a safe haven, gradually transforms into a gilded cage. Boredom and emotional emptiness prompt Cathy and her husband’s sister, Isabella, to experiment with hairstyles—as if with a doll’s hair.
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Thus, the “corset” braid emerges—an intricate plait resembling lacing. It symbolizes the heroine’s state: outwardly flawless, yet internally constrained. Her beauty is disciplined, almost decorative, while pain erupts from within.
Natural, Wild Hair
In scenes where Cathy and Heathcliff reveal their shared history, their hair whips in the harsh wind of the English moors. In contrast to the neat styles within the Linton household, these shots showcase the heroine’s true nature. Loose, almost untamed hair becomes a marker of the freedom and passion hidden beneath the pressure of social conventions. Cathy’s and Heathcliff’s looks are intentionally mirrored: their hairstyles echo each other, enhancing the visual harmony of the characters and emphasizing their inseparable bond.
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Devilish Twists
With Heathcliff’s return, Cathy undergoes a transformation—reflected in her hairstyles. In one scene, she appears with two voluminous twists laid across her forehead. Stylist Sian Miller refers to them as “devilish”: the shape of the style visually conveys the heroine’s inner dissonance, her conflict between her marital status and her true feelings. The look also alludes to historical hairstyles and even Scarlett O’Hara’s hairstyle in “Gone with the Wind”—one of the key visual references for creating this character.
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Hidden Jewels
One of the most intriguing yet subtle looks is from Cathy’s wedding scene. Beneath her white veil, as she walks across the moors to marry Edgar Linton, lies a lavish hairstyle: a lattice braid adorned with applied gemstones. This beauty choice is a symbol of the heroine’s frozen state. Like the “corset” braid, it embodies the tension between outward brilliance and inner turmoil.
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Based on materials from Vogue.it