Maisie Williams took the idea of dressing like her on-screen mother to an entirely new level during the Practical Magic 2 press tour.
The actor stepped out in an archival black gown originally worn by her Practical Magic 2 co-star Sandra Bullock, giving a memorable piece from Bullock’s red-carpet history a new moment in the spotlight nearly two decades later.
The fashion choice was especially fitting given Williams’ role in the upcoming sequel. She plays Antonia, one of the daughters of Bullock’s character Sally Owens, creating an unusual and personal connection between the on-screen mother-and-daughter relationship and the promotional tour’s fashion narrative.
For a London photocall, Williams wore a black off-the-shoulder gown that Bullock had previously worn to the New York premiere of Infamous in 2006.
The result was more than a nostalgic fashion reference. Williams wore the actual archival piece from Bullock’s wardrobe, bringing a piece of Hollywood red-carpet history back into public view.
Maisie Williams Gives Sandra Bullock’s Archival Gown a New Life
Archival fashion has become increasingly prominent on red carpets, with celebrities and stylists turning to memorable designs from previous decades.
Williams, however, added an especially personal dimension to the trend.
Rather than selecting a vintage design simply for inspiration, she wore a dress directly connected to her co-star and on-screen mother.
The black gown featured an elegant off-the-shoulder silhouette and a floor-grazing length, creating a timeless eveningwear look.
Originally worn by Bullock at the 2006 New York premiere of Infamous, the dress returned to the red carpet almost 20 years later with Williams giving it a distinctly different styling treatment.
The appearance became one of the more meaningful fashion moments of the Practical Magic 2 promotional tour.
Sandra Bullock Reacts to Maisie Williams Wearing Her Dress
Bullock appeared delighted to see the archival look receive a second life.
Sharing side-by-side images of herself and Williams wearing the outfit, Bullock wrote on Instagram: “My Antonia girl, you can raid Mama’s closet anytime ♥️.”
The message reflected the close connection between the two actors’ characters in the upcoming sequel.
Bullock also praised stylist Dino Bonacic for helping bring the archival looks back into the spotlight.
The social media post made the fashion moment even more personal, turning what could have been a simple celebrity outfit choice into a cross-generational exchange between two actors connected through the Practical Magic universe.
How Maisie Williams Styled the 2006 Dress
Williams did not simply recreate Bullock’s original 2006 styling.
Instead, she updated the gown with accessories that gave the archival piece a fresh and more contemporary identity.
She added vintage brooches around the neckline and layered necklaces over the black dress. A silver Simuero choker brought another modern element to the ensemble, while moon-shaped earrings from Awe Inspired complemented the mystical atmosphere associated with Practical Magic.
Towering patent leather Christian Louboutin shoes were concealed beneath the floor-length dress.
A tiny coin purse completed the look.
The styling successfully allowed Williams to pay tribute to Bullock’s original appearance while creating a fashion moment of her own.
A Fashion Tribute That Goes Beyond Method Dressing
Celebrity press tours have increasingly embraced thematic dressing, with actors often selecting outfits inspired by their films, characters or fictional worlds.
Williams’ approach for Practical Magic 2, however, has gone beyond traditional method dressing.
Her wardrobe choices have directly referenced Sandra Bullock’s real-life fashion archive.
The decision creates a connection between the original Practical Magic era, Bullock’s Hollywood career and the new generation of characters joining the sequel.
Instead of merely dressing in a witchy or late-1990s-inspired style, Williams has incorporated fashion history directly associated with her co-star.
That approach has given the press tour a stronger narrative and made her promotional appearances particularly interesting for fans of both the original film and celebrity fashion.
Another Sandra Bullock-Inspired Look at the London Premiere
Williams’ archival black gown was not the first Sandra Bullock-inspired look she wore during the Practical Magic 2 promotional events.
At the London premiere, she stepped out in a custom red ensemble designed by Ellie Misner.
The two-piece look was inspired by an outfit Bullock wore to the 1999 Los Angeles premiere of Forces of Nature.
Williams’ modern interpretation featured a top and skirt, revisiting the visual energy of Bullock’s earlier red-carpet appearance while translating it for a contemporary event.
She completed the ensemble with Bulgari high jewellery, Christian Louboutin platform shoes and a Roger Vivier satin bag.
The appearance established a clear fashion concept for the press tour: revisiting Bullock’s memorable style moments and giving them new life through Williams’ wardrobe.
The Practical Magic 2 Cast Connects Generations
The fashion choices also highlight the generational connection at the centre of Practical Magic 2.
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return to the franchise after starring as the magical Owens sisters in the 1998 original.
Williams joins the cast as Antonia, one of Sally Owens’ daughters, while Joey King plays Sally’s other daughter, Kylie.
The sequel therefore expands the story beyond the original characters and introduces a new generation to the supernatural world associated with the Owens family.
Williams’ decision to borrow directly from Bullock’s wardrobe creates a playful reflection of that relationship away from the screen.
The actor is not only portraying Bullock’s fictional daughter but also, in a fashion sense, raiding her on-screen mother’s closet.
Why Archival Fashion Continues to Capture Attention
Archival fashion has become one of the most compelling trends in contemporary celebrity style.
A vintage or previously worn garment can bring history and storytelling to a red-carpet appearance in ways that a completely new outfit sometimes cannot.
When a celebrity wears an archival design, the fashion moment can connect:
- Different generations of performers
- Past and present red-carpet culture
- Fashion history and contemporary styling
- A celebrity’s personal career milestones
- A film’s promotional narrative
Williams’ decision to wear Bullock’s actual 2006 gown incorporates all of those elements.
The dress already had its own place in Hollywood fashion history. By wearing it again for the Practical Magic 2 press tour, Williams gave it a new context connected to a major sequel and her own role within the franchise.
A Personal Fashion Story Behind the Red-Carpet Look
The strongest aspect of Williams’ fashion moment may be the story behind it.
The black gown was not simply selected because it was vintage or visually striking. It belonged to her co-star and was worn during a significant period of Bullock’s own red-carpet career.
The connection between the actors’ roles added another layer of meaning.
Bullock plays Sally Owens, while Williams portrays her daughter Antonia in Practical Magic 2.
When Bullock publicly encouraged Williams to raid “Mama’s closet,” the playful message reinforced the relationship between the characters and the real-world collaboration between the two actors.
It transformed a red-carpet outfit into a moment of storytelling.
Maisie Williams Makes Archival Fashion Part of the Practical Magic 2 Story
As Practical Magic 2 continues its promotional journey, Williams’ wardrobe choices have demonstrated how fashion can become part of a film’s broader publicity narrative.
Her Sandra Bullock-inspired outfits have paid tribute to the past while introducing the sequel’s next generation of characters.
The black archival gown was particularly significant because it was the same piece Bullock wore to the 2006 Infamous premiere.
Nearly two decades later, the dress returned to the spotlight on Williams — the actor playing Bullock’s daughter on screen.
With vintage accessories, layered jewellery and contemporary styling, Williams ensured that the look felt like more than a recreation.
She gave an existing fashion moment a new chapter.
For fans of Practical Magic, the appearance offers a playful connection between the original stars and the actors helping carry the story forward. For fashion enthusiasts, it is another reminder of why archival dressing remains so powerful: the right garment does not just make an outfit — it carries a story with it.
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