The comedian Chloe Fineman is not just Saturday Night Live’s resident impressionist; she is a burgeoning fashion figure, increasingly known for her sophisticated yet playful style that bridges the gap between the red carpet and Studio 8H. Her recent visibility, including a spotlight with Giorgio Armani‘s “Crossroads” series, signals a deeper connection to the world of haute couture. Fineman operates on the intriguing premise that discipline and freedom are not antithetical—a belief that defines both her meticulous character work and her sartorial choices. She strives to find the exact point where a look is both impeccably chic and undeniably hilarious, viewing fashion itself as an art form that offers theatrical expression and emotional transformation. This dual perspective—the desire to be both chic and hilarious—is what makes her one of the most compelling style icons emerging from the world of comedy today, transforming every red carpet into a moment of intentional, yet accessible, artistry.
Discipline as the Foundation of Freedom
Fineman’s partnership with a heritage brand like Giorgio Armani illuminates a core philosophy that underpins both her comedy and her personal style: the idea that true creative freedom is only achieved through rigorous discipline and structure.
In her work, Fineman’s acclaimed impressions—from Elizabeth Holmes’s peculiar cadence to Timothée Chalamet’s mannerisms—require intense, focused study, mirroring the discipline needed to construct a perfectly tailored garment. This structured approach, a hallmark of Armani’s classic aesthetic, is precisely what allows her ultimate performance to feel free, spontaneous, and utterly hilarious. She understands that fashion, like comedy, thrives on precision. The meticulous construction of an Armani jacket provides the rigid framework necessary to create an arresting visual statement, much in the same way that mastering a character’s voice allows for the spontaneous absurdity of a comedic sketch. For Fineman, embracing the seriousness and quality of high fashion is not a contradiction to her comedic spirit, but rather the powerful fuel that allows her to be genuinely light and unrestrained on stage and screen.
This belief system extends beyond brand partnerships into her appreciation for quality over quantity. She often discusses her deliberate shift toward investment pieces—those foundational elements that are built to last and provide a reliable structure for everyday dressing. It is this foundational quality, whether in a perfectly tailored pair of trousers or a classic blazer, that allows her to build upon them with playful, unexpected elements, proving that high quality and irreverence can coexist beautifully within the same ensemble.
Theatricality: Using Style to Build a Character
For Fineman, clothes and accessories are not merely external dressings; they are essential tools for her craft, providing the immediate visual shorthand necessary to transform into her many distinctive comedic characters.
She openly embraces her lifelong love of wigs and costumes, seeing them as integral parts of her artistic toolkit, much like a painter’s brushes. This is best illustrated in her collaboration with SNL‘s costume department, especially the head of costumes, Tom Broecker. Together, they have created unforgettable looks that instantly define her characters, from the perfectly pitched bridesmaid dresses in the viral Domingo sketch to the wonderfully absurd “Turkey Couture” worn by Julia Fox in one of her sketches. This process demonstrates that Fineman views fashion through a powerful theatrical lens, where every item is chosen for its narrative impact and immediate recognizability. Furthermore, her ability to use specific designer pieces to elevate an original character is key to her style. For instance, her original persona, Günter the “vodka sommelier,” was intentionally styled in a chic Kallmeyer vest. This choice was deliberate: it allowed the character to be goofy and absurd without resorting to a literal “clown outfit,” achieving her personal dilemma of being both “chic and hilarious.”
The power of costuming, therefore, is not just about making the joke funny, but about making the joke believable within its own highly stylized world. By leaning on genuine, quality designer pieces, even for her most outlandish characters, Fineman grounds the joke in a recognizable, aspirational reality before expertly twisting it for comedic effect.
The Evolution of Personal Elegance
Fineman’s personal style journey marks a compelling evolution from the “unfiltered” and “out-of-pocket” nature of her early career into a more conscious, refined elegance characterized by investment basics and thoughtful layering.
She credits her stylist, Yael Quint, with spearheading her “chic evolution.” The shift has been away from fleeting trends and toward an appreciation for foundational pieces—a capsule wardrobe anchored by items from designers she loves, such as Kallmeyer. This focus on enduring style over momentary trendiness is a mature approach to fashion, emphasizing comfort, quality, and versatility. Her love for layering is a prime example of this practicality, born out of the necessity of New York City living and its rapidly changing weather. She masterfully employs techniques like using a sweater as a scarf—a trend beloved by street style photographers—or combining different weights of leather, demonstrating how simple pieces can be built into complex, visually rich ensembles.
This philosophy of “elevated essentials” means that her off-duty look is rarely just casual. Instead, it is built on perfectly fitting basics—like her favorite high-quality jeans—that require no tailoring and provide the necessary canvas for her more playful accessories or outerwear. This personal refinement proves that one does not need a closet full of avant-garde pieces to make a style statement; rather, a small selection of meticulously chosen garments, worn with a confident and knowing air, is the true mark of sophistication.
The Runway Dialogue: Translating Haute to Humor
As a growing fixture at Fashion Weeks globally, Fineman’s engagement with the runway is a serious dialogue—not just a photo opportunity—with the designs themselves, which she later translates into her own style lexicon.
Her presence at shows like Carolina Herrera highlights her deep appreciation for the artistry behind high fashion. She has described the transportive quality of creative director Wes Gordon’s collections, which allow her and the audience to “dream about where the dresses might live.” This is a key insight: Fineman sees the gowns not just as clothing, but as potential starting points for new narratives or characters. Even when faced with the chaos of travel and jet lag, she has shown an admirable commitment to the fashion world, ensuring her polka dot Herrera dress fit “like a dream” before taking her seat. Moreover, her critical eye extends to street style. She admits to taking copious notes on models’ outfits after shows, focusing on the refined, casual elegance of loose jeans, perfect boots, and tailored outerwear. For her, the most valuable takeaway from the spectacle of Fashion Week is how to distill that high-art energy into an authentic, everyday aesthetic.
Ultimately, Fineman’s sartorial choices reflect her comedic sensibility: she observes the world, takes note of the details (whether in a tailored suit or a character’s mannerism), and then executes her own version with flawless precision and a signature wink. Her style is a reminder that the most compelling fashion is that which has a sense of humor and a strong, intelligent foundation.
