Wait? Are Dakota and Elle Fanning the New Olsen Sisters?

By Swedan MargenJanuary 24, 2026

When I spotted this endearing shot of Elle and Dakota Fanning walking arm-in-arm, sharing a laugh, I knew I ought to be analysing their outfits like a proper fashion editor. But instead, my mind was occupied—darting straight to another iconic sister duo. Between their matching blonde hair, the understated monochrome, and Dakota’s perfectly crinkled Balenciaga city bag, the Olsen parallels were impossible to ignore.

Ella and Dakota Fanning walk arm-in-arm wearing matching black outfits.

The more I thought about it, the more striking the similarities became. Elle and Dakota, like Mary-Kate and Ashley, share more than just sibling status and blonde locks. Style-wise, both sets have long gravitated towards imitably chic, “undone” outfits, effortless styling, pared-back palettes, and subtle bohemian touches. And, of course, both found fame at a remarkably young age.

Elizabeth and Ashley Olsen walk alongside each other wearing all black.

What’s exciting is seeing Elle stepping into the spotlight a little more this year—on top of her cover for Who What Wear, she recently earned a Golden Globes nomination for her role in Sentimental Value, meaning that between the onslaught of press events, we’re lucky enough to catch glimpses of her style beyond the usual rare outings. Meanwhile, the original Olsen sisters remain particularly under the radar, leaving many of us nostalgic for their unique influence on fashion.