One of the first ways we as people begin to express our individuality is by the way we dress. The same goes for cinema, where the way a character dresses, be it flashy, muted, or anywhere in between, affects how we, as the audience, perceive them emotionally and intellectually. So the costume design is another subtle element that adds dimension to the film, the content as well as the characters. It also helps the audience to fully immerse themselves in the world of the film. What are the most iconic messages hidden in movie costumes?
Today, we will discover some secret messages hidden in costumes in movies. These costumes were specifically chosen by the costume designer for one reason or another, and we're going to share those reasons with you. Keep reading for more details!
This is thanks to the costume designer Colleen Atwood, who has worked with Burton on films like Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland and, let us not forget, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Colleen mentioned some of the wardrobe details that defined the characters in that previous film during an interview: The judge's assistant was given a hat with a very specific top, Sweeney Todd had the holster rig from his razors, and his boots decorated with silver details, and Mrs. Lovett was clothed in more flamboyant clothing. All of this discreetly highlighted each character's personality.
It's a fascinating feature that the girls' clothing changes over the school year, from lighter, summery colors to darker, cozier winter outfits.
Costume designer Ruth Carter discussed how various aspects of the Black Panther characters' outfits helped them blend in with their surroundings during an interview with Vanity Fair. For instance:
- The mythical metal vibranium, which Captain America's shield is constructed, was used in the creation of all the jewelry.- Even though Shuri's outfit is more Western and Americanized, it still incorporates cultural elements, like the logo on her T-shirt that stands for "purpose."
- The queen wears traditional woven patterns, but they were 3D printed to fit the needs of 21st Wakanda.- The pendant on Nakia's neck suggests that her tribe is a river tribe.- The customary geometric shapes from T'Challa's culture can be seen on his military gear.
When we first meet Cady in the film, she is dressed in mostly neutral hues. In the opening scene, she is wearing a red shirt underneath an army green jean jacket over a pair of trousers. Her lone piece of jewelry is a bracelet composed of beads, which we later learn was created by her mother. When Cady finally transitions to dressing entirely like the plastics, we see her wearing a lot of pinks and reds. We also see her slowly transition into wearing slightly more revealing clothes, similar to what the plastics have worn in previous scenes in the movie.
When we think of Elle Woods, we immediately associate her with the brightest shade of pink due to some of her iconic looks. But do you know the secret behind them? The contradiction between the pleather, which is quite a grown-up fabric, and the brightness of the pink is explained by Rakoff. She states that she wanted to show how Elle is definitely a fish out of water in this new environment on the East Coast, but is still trying to keep true to herself.
In reality, costume designer Jacqueline Durran was able to gradually convey Mr. Darcy's change. Mr. Darcy sheds layers of clothing as the movie goes on - such it's a subtle trick that it might have gone overlooked, but it worked incredibly well! According to Durran, Mr. Darcy's layers of clothes gradually become thinner as the story progresses, and the softer materials of his clothing also play a role in the character's overall change. Mr. Darcy learns to embrace a more open and modest mindset and sheds his character's rigidity and inflexibility.
Scarlett must show some backbone in order to survive the battle as she is made to wear simple everyday clothes (the horror!). There’s also the red dress that she wears in the moments where she longs for affection.
Milena Canonero created the outfits, which initially depict Marie Antoinette upon her debut as a little girl with an innocent and infantile look. Then, as a prominent member of the French court, a change in her fashion sense makes her evolution apparent. She dressed bright, stylish clothes. Finally, she switches to more somber clothes with muted colors and unflashy silhouettes. This occurs at a time when the French royal family is losing favor with the populace, and the rest is history. Literally.
For instance, Nina's outfits are primarily pastel and pink during the beginning of the film while she is still acting naively and childishly. Her outfits take on darker hues as she begins to lose herself in the new role she is cast in and as her interactions with the other characters become more tumultuous. The black swan, which is what she wishes to be, is ultimately represented by her clothing.
Her goal was to keep the designs "Disneyesque to the core but bring a little bit of fashion in there and humor and make it something new". However, May admitted this was difficult "because they're dealing with iconic Disney characters who have been in the psyche of the viewing audience for so long". As the movie goes on, Giselle's costumes become less like those from fairy tales, symbolizing her transformation into a genuine lady. Her sophisticated attire at the film's conclusion stands in stark contrast to her bridal outfit at the beginning. But, Giselle's peculiarity of sweetness and innocence remains.
Today, we will discover some secret messages hidden in costumes in movies. These costumes were specifically chosen by the costume designer for one reason or another, and we're going to share those reasons with you. Keep reading for more details!
#1 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Source: © Album Online / East News, © DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
This is thanks to the costume designer Colleen Atwood, who has worked with Burton on films like Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland and, let us not forget, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Colleen mentioned some of the wardrobe details that defined the characters in that previous film during an interview: The judge's assistant was given a hat with a very specific top, Sweeney Todd had the holster rig from his razors, and his boots decorated with silver details, and Mrs. Lovett was clothed in more flamboyant clothing. All of this discreetly highlighted each character's personality.
#2 Clueless
Source: © East News, © Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News, © Clueless / Paramount Pictures
It's a fascinating feature that the girls' clothing changes over the school year, from lighter, summery colors to darker, cozier winter outfits.
#3 Black Panther
Source: © Black Panther / Marvel Studios and co-producers
Source: © Black Panther / Marvel Studios and co-producers
Costume designer Ruth Carter discussed how various aspects of the Black Panther characters' outfits helped them blend in with their surroundings during an interview with Vanity Fair. For instance:
- The mythical metal vibranium, which Captain America's shield is constructed, was used in the creation of all the jewelry.- Even though Shuri's outfit is more Western and Americanized, it still incorporates cultural elements, like the logo on her T-shirt that stands for "purpose."
- The queen wears traditional woven patterns, but they were 3D printed to fit the needs of 21st Wakanda.- The pendant on Nakia's neck suggests that her tribe is a river tribe.- The customary geometric shapes from T'Challa's culture can be seen on his military gear.
#4 Mean Girls
Source: © East News
Source: © Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
When we first meet Cady in the film, she is dressed in mostly neutral hues. In the opening scene, she is wearing a red shirt underneath an army green jean jacket over a pair of trousers. Her lone piece of jewelry is a bracelet composed of beads, which we later learn was created by her mother. When Cady finally transitions to dressing entirely like the plastics, we see her wearing a lot of pinks and reds. We also see her slowly transition into wearing slightly more revealing clothes, similar to what the plastics have worn in previous scenes in the movie.
#5 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Source: © Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory / Paramount Pictures
#6 Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Source: © Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen / Walt Disney Picture and co-producers
Source: © Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen / Walt Disney Picture and co-producers
#7 Legally Blonde
Source: © Legally Blonde / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and co-producers
When we think of Elle Woods, we immediately associate her with the brightest shade of pink due to some of her iconic looks. But do you know the secret behind them? The contradiction between the pleather, which is quite a grown-up fabric, and the brightness of the pink is explained by Rakoff. She states that she wanted to show how Elle is definitely a fish out of water in this new environment on the East Coast, but is still trying to keep true to herself.
#8 Pride & Prejudice
Source: © Pride and Prejudice /Focus Features and co-producers
In reality, costume designer Jacqueline Durran was able to gradually convey Mr. Darcy's change. Mr. Darcy sheds layers of clothing as the movie goes on - such it's a subtle trick that it might have gone overlooked, but it worked incredibly well! According to Durran, Mr. Darcy's layers of clothes gradually become thinner as the story progresses, and the softer materials of his clothing also play a role in the character's overall change. Mr. Darcy learns to embrace a more open and modest mindset and sheds his character's rigidity and inflexibility.
#9 The Matrix
Source: © The Matrix (1999) / Warner Bros. and co-producers
#10 The Devil Wears Prada
Source: © 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
Source: © 20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News, © Allpix Press / East News, © The Devil Wears Prada / Fox 2000 Pictures and co-producers
#11 Birds of Prey
Source: © Birds of Prey / Clubhouse Pictures (II) and co-producers
#12 Gone with the Wind
The story of Scarlett O'Hara is revealed through her wardrobe; she starts in a frothy, virginal white dress, quickly advances to an iridescent wedding gown, and finally wears black head-to-toe black when she becomes a widow. She is nonetheless viewed as somewhat of a town trollop despite being from respectable stock because her outfits are always cut to expose more cleavage than is strictly appropriate (while sweet innocent Melanie is drab in contrast).
Scarlett must show some backbone in order to survive the battle as she is made to wear simple everyday clothes (the horror!). There’s also the red dress that she wears in the moments where she longs for affection.
#13 Star Wars
Source: © Lucas Film / Walt Disney / Collection Christophel / East News
#14 Marie Antoinette
Source: © Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News, © Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News, © Sony Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News
Milena Canonero created the outfits, which initially depict Marie Antoinette upon her debut as a little girl with an innocent and infantile look. Then, as a prominent member of the French court, a change in her fashion sense makes her evolution apparent. She dressed bright, stylish clothes. Finally, she switches to more somber clothes with muted colors and unflashy silhouettes. This occurs at a time when the French royal family is losing favor with the populace, and the rest is history. Literally.
#15 Black Swan
Source: © Black Swan / Fox Searchlight Pictures (presents) and co-producers
For instance, Nina's outfits are primarily pastel and pink during the beginning of the film while she is still acting naively and childishly. Her outfits take on darker hues as she begins to lose herself in the new role she is cast in and as her interactions with the other characters become more tumultuous. The black swan, which is what she wishes to be, is ultimately represented by her clothing.
#16 Enchanted
Source: © Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East New, © Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News, © Allpix Press / East News
Her goal was to keep the designs "Disneyesque to the core but bring a little bit of fashion in there and humor and make it something new". However, May admitted this was difficult "because they're dealing with iconic Disney characters who have been in the psyche of the viewing audience for so long". As the movie goes on, Giselle's costumes become less like those from fairy tales, symbolizing her transformation into a genuine lady. Her sophisticated attire at the film's conclusion stands in stark contrast to her bridal outfit at the beginning. But, Giselle's peculiarity of sweetness and innocence remains.