15 Movie Costumes With A Whole Lot of Story Behind Them

Hello, fashion mavens! If you're as passionate about fashion as I am, you'll know that costumes play a vital role in storytelling on the big screen.
From the classics to the contemporaries, movie costumes have the power to transport us to different eras, convey the characters' personalities, and even shape pop culture. But do you know that behind every iconic movie costume lies a fascinating history?
In this fashion-forward article, we're going to delve into the world of movie costumes and reveal the intriguing tales behind 15 of the most unforgettable outfits in film history. We'll explore the inspirations, challenges, and groundbreaking techniques used to bring these iconic looks to life.
From the decadent glamour of the 1920s to the futuristic and avant-garde styles of sci-fi blockbusters, get ready to discover the incredible stories woven into these cinematic sartorial masterpieces. So, whether you're a fashionista or a movie buff, join me on this fabulous journey through the fascinating history of movie costumes!

#1 Bridgerton

Source: © Bridgerton / Shondaland and co-producers

If you're a fan of Bridgerton, you might have noticed that Eloise's wardrobe has some unexpected elements - think double-breasted jackets, collars, and neck scarves that you might normally associate with men's fashion. But it turns out that this was a deliberate choice by the show's costume designer!
By dressing Eloise in these less traditionally feminine garments, the designer was able to highlight the character's free spirit and rebellious nature. Eloise isn't one to conform to society's expectations, and her fashion choices reflect that. Who says women can't rock a necktie or a snazzy suit jacket? Not Eloise, that's for sure!

#2 And Just Like That...

Source: © And Just Like That... / HBO Entertainment and co-producers

In one of the episodes of Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw rocked a maxi dress that made a big splash in the media. Fans were surprised to see the fashion icon wearing a fast-fashion piece, but it turns out that the dress had been chilling in the costume designer's archive for ages! Danny Santiago snagged the dress for a mere $5-6 and knew it would be perfect for Carrie's style.
Some folks were skeptical about Carrie's choice to wear such an affordable frock, but Danny defended her right to wear whatever she darn well pleases! He explained that Carrie's love for fashion isn't tied to a price tag, and that if she found the dress at a thrift store, she would have snagged it without a second thought. After all, it's not about how much you spend on your outfit - it's about how you feel when you wear it!

#3 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Source: © Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, © Goldfinger / Eon Productions and co-producers

Did you know that Indiana Jones was actually born out of Steven Spielberg's desire to direct a James Bond movie? When the Eon studio said no to his pitch, Spielberg turned to his friend George Lucas for inspiration. Together, they created the iconic adventurer Indiana Jones - and the rest, as they say, is history.
In the second installment of the franchise, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Harrison Ford's character even pays homage to his Bond inspiration by dressing up in a suit that's reminiscent of the famous spy's signature style. Who knows - maybe we'll see even more nods to Bond in future Indiana Jones movies!

#4 Stranger Things

Source: © Stranger Things / Netflix and co-producers, © That '70s Show / 20th Century Fox Television and co-producers

Did you catch the subtle reference to another iconic series in Stranger Things season 3? In episode 8, Lucas and Max can be seen wearing the same clothes as Eric and Donna from That '70s Show. It's a fun nod to the beloved sitcom and a testament to the attention to detail that the Stranger Things creators are known for.

#5 Glass Onion

Source: © Glass Onion / Netflix and co-producers, © Magnolia / New Line Cinema and co-producers

When Edward Norton appeared in the flashback scenes of a new film, he decided to channel some Tom Cruise vibes by wearing the same clothes as the heartthrob from Magnolia. The director, Rian Johnson, was completely caught off guard - he had no idea Norton would go for it! At first, Rian was laughing so hard he thought he might keel over, but then he started to wonder if it was too much of a nod to the original film.
As it turns out, the producers of the new film thought Norton's sartorial tribute was the perfect way to subtly hint at his character's lack of originality. And who knows - maybe Norton was just trying to channel some of Cruise's A-list charm and good looks! Either way, it definitely made for a fun fashion moment on set.

#6 Criminal Minds

Source: © Criminal Minds / ABC Signature and co-producers

Did you ever notice that Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds always wears different socks? Well, it turns out that there's a pretty good reason for that - Matthew Gray Gubler, the actor who plays Reid, is superstitious about wearing identical socks.
According to Gubler, matching socks bring bad luck - so he always opts for mismatched pairs instead. He's even said that whenever he does wear matching socks, something strange tends to happen - like spraining an ankle or messing up a knee.

#7 Scream

Source: © Scream / Dimension Films and co-producers, © The Scream / Edvard Munch / National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design / Wikimedia Commons

Did you know that the colorful clothes in a certain iconic horror film were actually inspired by a famous painting? Cynthia Bergstrom, the film's costume designer, looked to Edvard Munch's masterpiece "The Scream" for inspiration when choosing the color scheme for the outfits.
According to Bergstrom, the painting's bright oranges, yellows, and reds played a major role in the film's wardrobe. It's amazing how a piece of art can influence fashion choices! Who knows - maybe we'll start seeing more horror-inspired outfits on the runway in the future. Or maybe not... some things are better left on the big screen!

#8 Riverdale

Source: © Riverdale / Warner Bros. Television and co-producers

If you're a fan of Riverdale, you might have noticed that Cheryl Blossom (played by Madelaine Petsch) always seems to be wearing red. It's her signature color, and it reflects her fiery and passionate personality.
But there's another side to Cheryl's wardrobe that you might not have noticed - she only wears white when something big is about to happen. Whether it's a dramatic confrontation, a shocking revelation, or a pivotal moment in the plot, Cheryl tends to don white outfits that stand out from her usual red ensembles.

#9 A Series of Unfortunate Events

Source: © A Series of Unfortunate Events / Paramount Television and co-producers

If you're a fan of A Series of Unfortunate Events, you might have noticed a subtle reference to a classic play in Olaf's home. In one scene, there's a photo of Olaf dressed as Hamlet, sitting on the stairs. But did you know that this is actually a nod to a real-life photo of John Barrymore playing the famous Shakespearean character?

#10 13 Going on 30

Source: © 13 Going on 30 / Revolution Studios and co-producers

In an interview, Susie Desanto, the costume designer of 13 Going on 30, revealed that the clothes worn by the characters in the movie were carefully chosen to reflect their personalities and development.
Jenna, the main character, wears vibrant and lively clothes adorned with accessories, which is a reflection of her teenage self. On the other hand, Lucy’s character, who is more determined and focused on achieving her objectives, wears dark clothing that highlights her cutthroat nature.

#11 The Good Place

Source: © The Good Place / Universal Television and co-producers

In the final episode of The Good Place, Tahani takes on the role of architect - and Michael has a special gift for her. He gives her a bow tie, identical to the one he wore in the very first episode of the show. It's a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the thoughtfulness and attention to detail that went into every aspect of the series.
Fans of The Good Place know that the show is filled with clever nods and references, and this is just one more example of that. It's a touching moment that ties together the beginning and end of the series, and it shows just how much the characters have grown and evolved over the course of the show.

#12 Titanic

Source: © Titanic / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

In the climactic scene of Titanic, Rose wears a white version of the dress she wore when she first met Jack at the grand staircase clock. This clever detail ties the scenes together and symbolizes the fulfillment of a promise she made to him earlier in the film to "make it count, meet me at the clock". It's a touching and poignant way to bring the story full circle.

#13 Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Source: © Home Alone / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, © Home Alone 2: Lost in New York / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

In Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Marv (played by Daniel Stern) has a hilarious case of mistaken identity. In one scene, he tries to grab Kevin (played by Macaulay Culkin) but ends up accidentally snatching another kid who happens to be wearing Kevin's iconic hat from the original Home Alone movie.
It's a clever little nod to the first film, and it shows just how iconic Kevin's red and white striped hat has become over the years. Fans of the Home Alone franchise will undoubtedly get a kick out of this moment, and it just goes to show how much attention to detail went into every aspect of the films.

#14 Hairspray

Source: © Hairspray / New Line Cinema and co-producers

In the final scene of the hit musical Hairspray, viewers might have noticed something familiar about the dress worn by Penny Pingleton (played by Amanda Bynes). As it turns out, the dress was made from a very unconventional fabric - her own bedroom curtains!
Eagle-eyed viewers might have noticed the same curtains hanging in Penny's room in earlier scenes of the movie.

#15 Schitt's Creek

Source: © Schitt's Creek / CBC and co-producers

In the beginning of Schitt's Creek, Alexis was all about her designer clothes and had a self-centered personality to match. But as the show progressed, her character underwent a transformation, shedding her selfish ways and becoming a more empathetic person.
In a touching moment, Alexis gives her friend Twyla a bag of her belongings, and later in the show, Twyla wears a black gown that once belonged to Alexis. It's a subtle nod to the growth of both characters and the power of friendship.