Lili Reinhart Interview with H&M 

Wearing the best looks from the new H&M Studio collection, Riverdale star Lili Reinhart talks coming into style, skincare and marrying Penelope Blossom (don’t worry Bughead shippers, it’s a game.)

Are you team Dark Betty, or team Pastel Betty? We love them both, but above all, we’re always team Lili. Never afraid to speak her mind on body image issues, mental health struggles or the pressure of living up to a picture perfect red carpet star (”My hair looks like shit most of the time”, she told Harper’s Bazaar this summer,) Lili Reinhart is just the role model our teenage selves longed for.

And how frustrating it is for the shippers, we even admire the classy way she handles the – many and intense – speculations about her love life.

So how does fashion play into Lili Reinhart’s off-screen life? Style-wise, she still has that girl-next-door vibe. Only this girl is much cooler, chicer and on-trend than your average neighbour. Dressed up in the latest H&M Studio collection, this all falls into place. 

Effortlessly chic, Lili Reinhart looks nothing like 

Riverdale’s Betty Cooper, just a lot like herself: a young, multi-faceted woman, not afraid to make a statement. 

”Fashion has become increasingly more important to me within the past few years. A while ago I realized that I was holding onto a lot of pieces from when I was a teenager… and they made me feel juvenile when I wore them. I had to make an executive decision to say goodbye to older pieces and revamp my closet. I wanted to feel like a woman with a confident sense of style in everything that I wore, not just when I had the energy to style an outfit on a night out. That meant investing in signature pieces— great boots, nice jeans, a leather jacket— that would help give my daily style more edge and sophistication.”

She keeps it simple. Nothing crazy. I think my own style has sort of crept its way into Betty’s style evolution.

DO YOU HAVE ANY DEFINING STYLE MOMENTS? ”I’ve had moments where I have felt really myself in something that I was wearing. The Brock dress that I wore to the CFDA’s this year made me feel really beautiful. I felt sophisticated and sexy but very feminine and modest at the same time.”

”I feel like if we’re being honest here, I’d probably take Betty’s wardrobe. She keeps it simple. Nothing crazy. I think my own style has sort of crept its way into Betty’s style evolution. I like overalls and cool flats and sneakers, so I’ve encouraged our wardrobe girls on the show to pull those sorts of things for Betty.”

IF YOU COULD GIVE A PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUR 15-YEAR OLD SELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

”My piece of advice would be... go outside your comfort zone. It’s okay to be a homebody and an introvert, but pushing yourself to explore things you wouldn’t normally explore and experience being around new people will benefit you greatly.”

ANY SIMILARITIES BETWEEN YOUR OWN HIGH SCHOOL YEARS AND BETTY COOPER’S?

”I would say the biggest similarity between Betty’s high school experience and mine would have to be good grades. I always did well in school and I’m assuming Betty’s report card is mostly As. Other than that? Betty is more involved in her school than I ever was. She runs the blue and gold, she’s been a cheerleader, she ran for student body president, performed in the school musical…  I definitely didn’t get involved in school activities like that.”

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE PRESSURE OF BEING A ROLE MODEL? 

”I know that I’m allowed to make mistakes. Everyone thinks that as a role model you have to be perfect. But that’s not what you’re going to get from me. I don’t want to pretend like I don’t screw up or fail sometimes. That’s false advertising. I’m a role model BECAUSE I accept my flaws and am not afraid to talk about them. It can definitely feel overwhelming at times... but I am comforted by my cast mates who are going through the same pressures that I am. We’re all young, we’re all learning and growing as human beings... I’m happy to have them by my side.”

THREE DREAMS TO CHECK OFF YOUR DREAM LIST? 

”I want to see the wisteria tunnels in Japan. I’ve always wanted to play piano. I want to take my mother to Paris.”

”I haven’t been sent anything particularly weird. I’ve been sent flowers by fans and an edible arrangement once, which was wonderful. I get sent a lot of foreign candies and I’ve also gotten a hand sewn Betty doll.”

We’re all young, we’re all learning and growing as human beings... I’m happy to have them by my side.

LET’S PLAY A GAME. DATE, MARRY OR MAKE DISAPPEAR FOREVER: THE BLACK HOOD, HIRAM LODGE, PENELOPE BLOSSOM? ”Make The Black Hood disappear because obviously, marry Penelope because she at least doesn’t murder people… that we know of, and date Hiram because that’s the only other option.”

WHAT’S THE MOST ‘PINCHING MY ARM’ MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

”Every time I go to Comic Con, it’s really surreal. My face was on a hotel key card this year. Which was very weird to me. And when I see my face on a giant poster or billboard... I can’t believe that it’s me. I never could’ve dreamed this life for myself so it’s unbelievable at times.”

WE KNOW YOU’RE SOMEWHAT OF A SKINCARE EXPERT. WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE ADVICE? 

”My number one piece of skincare advice is to start young. You’re never too young to be taking care of your skin! I’m hoping that the effort and investment that I put into my skin now will pay off when I’m in my 70’s and don’t have as many wrinkles.”

H&M Studio AW18 launches worldwide on September 6. Lili Reinhart is currently filming season 3 of smash hit series Riverdale in Vancouver, Canada. We can’t wait. 

Say goodbye to summer’s light-washed, worn jeans and greet the new season in retro cool raw denim. Wear with a simple t-shirt or complete the look with a matching denim shirt. 

Been longing for cosy knits and chunky boots? This season, our must-have sweater comes in a bold, colour-blocked pattern. Wear with a matching skirt – this one in autumn’s trendiest cut: the calf length. 

Oh yes, we’re all about head-to-toe looks this season. In this optic print you’ll be ready for anything from a fancy night out to an important work meeting, to fashion week – just alternate the accessories you wear it with.  

Ever heard the classic” match your midi skirt with a stiletto heel to balance the silhouette” advice? Time to forget all about it. This season, all fashion girls wear the midi-length skirt with chunky boots.