10 Flawless Historically Correct Movie Costumes That Will Leave You Breathless
There are times when Hollywood successfully creates costumes that stay true to history, and they often take our breath away. Thanks to them, we feel like we’re immersed in the atmosphere of the time. So here are 10 gorgeous historically correct movie costumes that will leave you in awe.
1. Titanic
Source: © Titanic / Paramount Pictures
The movie Titanic was based on a real famous historical event, so the director wanted the costumes to be as accurate to the history as possible, down to the tiniest details. Costume designer Deborah Lynn Scott accomplished her mission by spending hours studying and reading books about the time and the etiquette of the old elite society so she could understand what outfits they would wear in public.
Source: © Titanic / Paramount Pictures
One of the examples of her amazing works is the after-lunch striped costume that Rose wore in her first appearance in the film. It’s almost an exact copy of the clothes from 1912 French fashion magazines. The corsets that Rose always wears were also very common underwear pieces for women at that time as they didn’t wear bras but still expected to have a defined silhouette in public. Thanks to her dedication, Deborah Lynn Scott won an Oscar!
2. Emma
Source: © Emma. / Working Title Films
To bring the period fashion in Emma to the screen as close to the historical version as possible, costume designer Alexandra Byrne carefully researched vintage patterns and the fabrics of the Renaissance period and even took her inspiration from museum exhibits. The designer wanted to know what colors, fabrics, and wardrobe items were popular in the 1800s and after she got the information she needed, Byrne started to create her masterpieces.
Source: © Emma. / Working Title Films
The pale-pink spencer in the film was quite popular with Regency-era fashionistas. In the 1790s, Spencers were mostly worn by men, but they quickly became the favorite item of many girls too as they could help them spice up the boring basic white dresses. Another great costume is the airy dress which was the exact copy of a bright silk dress from the 1810s. The team spent days getting the intricate ornament on the dress right.
3. The Duchess
Source: © The Duchess / Pathé
Michael O’Connor created 30 historically correct movie costumes for Keira Knightley in The Duchess. Keira played the role of Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire and one of the most fashionable historical figures in the circles of the English aristocracy. The movie tells the story of her life from 1714 to the middle of the 1800s.
Source: © The Duchess / Pathé
An example of O’Connor’s amazing works is the duchess’s wedding dress. It’s inspired by the luxury French outfits of the end of the 1770s. The accuracy was matched down to the ruffles on the skirt. The dress also has a similar pannier underneath as well.
4. Pride and Prejudice
Source: © Universal Studios/ Focus Features
Speaking of Kiera Knightly, the evening gown that she wore when she danced with Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice was quite a stunning piece of work as well. The movie was set in the Georgian Era, which lasted between 1714 and 1830. Women at that time would often wear long gowns similar to her character’s dress. It was a very popular fashion trend back then.
5. Elizabeth
Source: © Focus Features/ Getty Images
6. Marie Antoinette
Source: © Sony Pictures/ Getty Images
7. Downton Abbey
Source: © ITV/ Getty Images
Downton Abbey is one of the most legendary period dramas on TV. The costumes of the characters in the movie played an important part to make the series as good as it was. They were incredibly accurate was were able to reflect the early 1900s era of England vividly. Both the elite and the staff of the manor were dressed just like how they would describe people back then in textbooks.
8. The Great Gatsby
Source: © Warner Brothers/ Getty Images
The Great Gatsby is set during the 1920s, which is when flapper fashion is at its peak. Daisy Buchanan is the perfect example of what a fashionable woman would look like at that time. Her headpiece was a popular item commonly called the gypsy cap. The movie won a well-earned Oscar for Best Costume Design at the 2014 Academy Awards.
9. Belle
Source: © Fox Searchlight Pictures/ Getty Images
Belle tells the story of race relations in a time of severe abuse and animosity for African Americans. The movie was set in the early 1700s, a period of time when the costumes are very glamorous and extravagant. The costume designers put together the main character’s dresses by using techniques of the time period, creating stunning visual masterpieces.
10. Macbeth
Source: © StudioCanal/ Getty Images
Macbeth is one of the most famous Shakespeare plays and it has many different adaptations, but the 2015 version wins the best prize for the historically correct costumes. The film was set in the correct era as the play, and the articles of clothing that the characters wear were just like the outfits of people back then. The attention to detail that went into creating such fantastic clothing is just amazing.
Those are 10 historically correct movie costumes that are created almost flawlessly. Speaking about historical pieces in cinema, there are actors who portrayed real historical figures with an insane amount of accuracy. You should really check them out, their performances are amazing.