Sophie De Rakoff, "This Means War" Costume Designer, On Reese Witherspoon, Dressing For A Date

Stylelist | By Sarah Leon | Become a fan | Posted: 02/13/12 09:15 AM ET | Updated: 02/15/12 03:14 PM ET

Who is the woman behind Reese Witherspoon's on-screen glamour? Meet Sophie De Rakoff, a costume designer who has worked with Witherspoon on films such as "Legally Blond," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Four Christmases." The two worked together again on Witherspoon's upcoming film, "This Means War," which will be released February 17, 2012, and co-stars Chris Pine and Tom Hardy. With two attractive male leads, it is no surprise that Witherspoon's character Lauren finds herself dating throughout the film. Just in time for Valentine's Day, De Rakoff dishes on the perfect date outfit, dressing a petite figure and more.

What’s it like to work with Reese Witherspoon?
She’s amazing, she’s exactly what you think she would be. Reese is fun and she’s super professional. I’ve known her for so long, so we’re also friends. We met on “Legally Blonde,” that was our first movie together. I worked on "Legally Blonde" right at the beginning of my career. I read the script, and it was a really funny. I knew who Reese was, even though she’d only done a few movies at that time, but I thought she was really interesting, so it all kind of came together.

Do you think the way you’ve dressed Witherspoon in films has had an impact on her personal style?
I think she’s always dressed very well. She’s very aware of her body. She, in fact, has informed me about things over the years. I think she is very clear about what works and what doesn’t work on her. I would say the trick with Reese is – because she’s so little – it’s about making the clothes work for her shape. A really big print, for example, completely overwhelms her. It’s about working with the dimensions of the clothes and the silhouettes within the parameters of the character so that they actually, physically work on her rather than emotionally.

In "This Means War," Witherspoon's character Lauren spends a lot of time going out on dates. How did you go about dressing her for different occasions with each man?
Each outfit is different. When she goes on a date to meet his family, it is a more toned down sexuality. She has a little blazer, she has on a white dress – it’s still short and small and sexy, but it’s not as overt as it could be. As she becomes slightly more sexual, her look is a little more aggressive in other situations. When she goes to the carnival on a date, she is dressed more practically. She still has the great shoes on, but she’s wearing the tight jeans and the little camp shirt, so it’s about context. It’s about what the date is and what they’re doing. I don’t think she dresses for the man, I think she dresses for the moment. And the moments are different. What you’re going to wear to a night club is going to be completely different than what you’re going to wear to a zoo.

What is a good outfit to wear on a date?
I think a girl should feel comfortable and attractive and in control, so whatever you have in your wardrobe that works for the moment, but gives you those three factors.

In the film, Witherspoon wears a lot of high heels. Why was that important?
I think that’s part of the look of her character. Lauren is put together, so when she’s at work, she wears heels. When she’s on a date, she wears heels. When she’s with her friends, it’s more about wedges or Lanvin flats. And then also, you see her coming home from the gym and she’s in sneakers and sweatpants and a hoodie. But think, it’s also partly as well, because Reese is little. And little people like to be bigger.

Even when she’s in her workout gear, it’s still a cute workout look. How can you suggest achieving a cute, casual look?
I would say look for a pair of sweatpants that are maybe a bit more modern. Not like yoga pants, but something that is a little slouchy and is cuffed at the ankle and you can wear low and like layer it with a tank and different t-shirt. Kid’s hoodies are always good, because their arms are short and cropped smaller, so you don’t get overwhelmed by all the layers.

Do you recommend petite people should try shopping in the kid’s department?
I wouldn’t say yes, but only at the high-end stores. For example, if you’re little, you can go and get some basics. A lot of kid’s clothes are horrible, but you can go to Crew Cuts and get really cute shirts and blazers from J. Crew. Or Brooks Brothers and get a kid’s blazer. Things like that, you just obviously have to size up. But, I think that women, especially, if you look in the boy’s section of the preppy kids store, if you’re little, you’ll always find something cute in there.

If the film continued, how would you dress Lauren for Valentine's Day?
I think she would be going away somewhere with the guy she ends up with. It's Valentine’s Day and he would take her to Europe because I think she’s so sophisticated, so I think they’re going on a gondola in Venice. And I think she would wear the new Prada spring/summer collection. It was so gorgeous, like a full pleated skirt in a beautiful color and a little pair of delicate shoes and then a big pair of crazy sunglasses. That’s what I think she would wear.

Take a peek in our gallery below to see some of Reese Witherspoon's outfits in "This Means War."