Often clothes establish in our minds the kind of characters before dialogue and narrative reveal them. Costume design is yet another subtle element that adds dimension to a movie, its plot and players and assists in immersing viewers into a new world. Though many real masterpieces are created that conquer millions of hearts, not many viewers really pay attention to the way they are dressed by actors and actresses.
The below list showcases 12 masterpieces where Movie Costumes were so meticulously crafted that they added another layer of depth to the characters and helped in bringing the movie's world to life.
#1 Titanic
Another example can be seen in movies featuring iconic movie duosSource: © Titanic / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, © Titanic / Paramount Pictures and co-producers
Designer Deborah Lynn Scott deserved her Oscar for her outstanding work on the costumes in "Titanic". The iconic red dress Rose wears when she first meets Jack is exactly the same as the white one she wears in the last scene, symbolizing their pure love. This is just one example of how costume design can add depth to a movie's characters and story. Another example can be seen in movies featuring iconic movie duos, where the costumes of the characters complement each other and contribute to their chemistry on-screen.#2 Wonder Woman
Source: © Wonder Woman /Warner Bros. Television and co-producers, © Wonder Woman / Warner Bros. and co-producers
The blue dress Gal Godot’s character wear looks like the one Lynda Carter wore in the 1975 series. This is a way to pay tribute to the series.#3 Cruella
Source: © Cruella / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
Designer Jenny Beavan fulfilled her work well, illustrating the character’s growth, from Estella to Cruella. She left a small hint – the pins on her jacket. This attribute of punk style presents the rebellious nature of the character.#4 The Great
Source: © The Great / Hulu and co-producers, © ellefanning / Instagram
Designer Sharon Long did a great job, creating the look of the great empress. For the coronation dress in season 1, she carefully used golden fabrics. More than that, in season 2, the pregnancy of the empress was recreated so stunningly that it’s hard to believe it was not real.#5 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Source: © The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers, © The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
Many might now notice that the crown expresses the White Witch’s power. As her power weakens, her ice crown melts and reduces in size. Her clothes switch from snow-white to grayish, just like snow does before spring.#6 Little Women
Source: © Little Women / Sony Pictures and co-producers, © Little Women / Sony Pictures and co-producers, © Little Women / Sony Pictures and co-producers, © Little Women / Sony Pictures and co-producers
It turns out that writer and director of Little Women, Greta Gerwig, also wants Jo and Laurie to be a couple. In fact, Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet swap clothes on set to highlight their deep connection.She explained, “The scene where Jo offhandedly gives him her ring, he’s wearing a yellow vest, which then she’s wearing when they’re on the hillside, and he proposes to her. There are things like that all over the movie because I just wanted them to seem like they are one and the same.”
#7 Mean Girls
Source: © Mean Girls / Paramount Pictures and co-producers
There is a tiny detail, showing the change of leadership between 2 main characters. When Cady took over Regina, she started wearing a pendant with the letter C, just like Regina did before.See More: 15+ Times celebs Wear Costumes That Cost Mere Pennies
#8 Bridgerton
Source: © Bridgerton / Netflix and co-producers, © Bridgerton / Netflix and co-producers
Fans couldn’t stop thinking about the way Penelope changed her traditional yellow dress for the green one. Costume designer Sophie Canale shared that her green dress acts as a subtle hint that season 3 will be about Penelope’s and Colin’s love.#9 Thor: Ragnarok
Source: © Thor: Ragnarok / Marvel Studios and co-producers, © Thor: Ragnarok / Marvel Studios and co-producers
As we know, Hela draws her power from Asgard. This is why her clothes have a lot of holes on Earth. It expresses that she’s weak. But in Asgard, her clothes become whole again.#10 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Source: © Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix / Warner Bros. and co-producers
The darker her pink clothes are, the more powerful and evil she gets. The film creators want to show that it wasn’t a coincidence but a conscious choice.#11 The Crown
Source: Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News
Source: Fox Photos
Designers did an amazing job when recreating Princess Diana’s clothes in the series, especially the wedding dress.“I remember watching the wedding and thinking, “Oh, that’s a very big dress,’” producer of the show, Susan Mackie said. “But there was something about seeing it on Emma.”
#12 Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore
Source: © Fantastic Beasts: the Secrets of Dumbledore / Warner Bros. and co-producers
To create costumes that matched the beginning of the 20th century, designer Colleen Atwood made a huge effort. Because some characters are wizards, she had to design where each character kept their wands and how they reach for them.Atwood says, “A lot of times it’s on the inside of the sleeve, or sometimes it’s hidden in the inside pocket of their trousers. I’ve done a couple of sheaths on the side of their pants.”
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