Whether it’s Marilyn Monroe’s bewitching white dress or Ursula’s fierce purple and black ensemble, clothes don’t just make the man or woman in Hollywood! They can also help define the character, create visual points of interest, and even help tell the story. In this article, we’ll take a look at some iconically memorable costumes from the world of film, digging into their lasting impact on fashion and culture. So, let’s get ready to go deep into the fascinating intersection of fashion and film!
1. The Magic of Fashion on Film
Fashion is more than just clothing – it’s an art form. From the iconic style of Grease to the glamorous wardrobe of Pretty Woman, fashion has featured heavily in some of our favorite movies over the years. Here’s a look at how fashion has been used to great effect on the silver screen:
The Power of Personality
Fashion can be used to show how a character matures or changes over time – from awkward teen to dating-confident hero, for example. Think of Sandy’s transformation from girly-girl to hoodlum babe in Grease!
Subverting Convention
In films like Legally Blonde and Clueless, fashion is used to indicate status and power. Elle Woods’ liberal use of pink and Cher’s iconic wardrobe of designer labels are examples of how films can use clothing to subvert viewer expectations.
Capturing Social Change
Disney’s Frozen made a powerful statement about the notion of outdated gender roles in 2013, with it’s feminist message sung by two royal sisters, Elsa and Anna. The film also included a particularly memorable scene featuring well-crafted garments from Anna’s coronation.
Adopting Costume
In films like Moulin Rouge, La La Land and Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ video for “Californication”, actors are seen presenting a unique spin on classic looks, with the wardrobes designed to fit in with the fictional characters they play.
Fashion is so much more than just clothing, it can be used to add a sense of realism to a movie or to explore issues, such as gender equality. Whatever the purpose, fashion on the silver screen can be hugely influential, leaving an impression on millions of viewers.
2. Examining Iconic Costumes Throughout Movie History
The silver screen has been host to some of the most beautiful and show-stopping costumes ever seen. Costumes have been a key way to create atmosphere and immerse audiences into the story for decades. A movie’s characters can be made memorable through clothes, and timeless icons with masses of style can be born from the most seemingly simple costume. Here we’ll take a look at some of the most iconic looks in movie history.
- Audrey Hepburn’s iconic “little black dress” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
It is a look that is timeless and will never go out of fashion. The dress was designed by Hubert de Givenchy and was based on a design he’d created for the 1962 collection. The dress was simple and classic and has since become an enduring symbol of elegance. - The T-Birds jacket from Grease
This leather look was undoubtedly the source of many teenage dreams! It was simple and edgy, and totally worked with the style of 1950s America. The T-Birds were greasers all right, and the jacket became an instant hit with wannabe tough guys, even now still nearly fifty years later. - Cinderella’s stunning blue dress
Disney’s animated classic showed everyone that dressing to the nines doesn’t always have to involve designer labels. Cinderella’s look was created around a voluminous skirt, with flounces and puffs and a simple neckline, topped off with delicate glass slippers. This is one timeless look that will never fade. - Scarlett O’Hara’s green curtains dress
Scarlett O’Hara was certainly not the only one who ever had to make do with what was to hand! But she did it in style, transforming the curtains into a fabulous gown with an underskirt of petticoats. This is yet another example of an iconic costume created with just a few simple items.
Movie costumes truly have the power to captivate and charm us, and these iconic looks have done so for generations. They can stir up nostalgia and create a connection between us and the past. Iconic costumes can instantly transport us to another time, continuing to entertain us today and for many decades to come.
3. The Lasting Impact of Outstanding Movie Costumes
Costumes are an integral element of movies that bring settings to life and evoke emotions within audiences. Outstanding costumes in films often leave a lasting impression and remain ingrained in the minds of viewers.
Outstanding movie costumes can become iconic and associated with the stories they come from. For instance, Dorothy’s blue-and-white gingham pinafore dress in The Wizard of Oz and the bloodstained undershirt of Rocky Balboa in the Rocky series are immediately recognizable. Movie costumes can become synonymous with the characters. Think of Darth Vader’s black body armor or, for that matter, the red-hooded cloak of Little Red Riding Hood.
Outstanding costumes can also influence modern fashion. The tight-fitting one-piece swimsuit seen in Jaws or the sleek vinyl jumpsuits featured in Barbarella have made their way onto contemporary fashion runways. Such costuming takes a movie look and updates it for the times, creating a new aesthetic for the next generation of moviegoers.
Beyond providing aesthetic pleasure, outstanding movie costumes also tell stories within the stories they come from. They are often designed to match a character’s personality and reveal clues about the story’s events. The immaculate tailoring of John Schlesinger’s Sunday Best is as memorable as its themes of seduction, class, and consumption. Conversely, the heavy armour and head mask of Princess Mononoke emphasize the power, mystery, and ferocity of its hero.
Outstanding movie costumes not only provide visual delight but also add further layers to the story. From aesthetics to subtext, movie costumes can leave a lasting impact on audiences. It’s no wonder they influence current fashion and memory alike.
4. Exploring the Influence of Costume Design on Popular Culture
The influence of costume design on popular culture has been felt all throughout history. From the outfits of Ancient Greece to the avant-garde fashion of today, clothing has defined the times and reflected the values and ideals of each era. As fashion trends come and go, so do the ideologies of the masses.
In the past, costume design has been one of the best ways to identify a culture. In ancient Egypt, costume design is believed to have been used as a means of displaying status, wealth, and alliances. Similarly, in the medieval period, the dress of the nobility was intricate and symbolic, while more plain clothing was worn by the lower classes. With the advent of the industrial revolution, mass production and increased consumerism spearheaded a shift in fashion, and clothing styles slowly evolved over time.
Today, costume design continues to be heavily associated with popular culture. From movie and music stars, to television characters, to everyday people on the street, fashion often creates trends and sets the tone for the times. Even more so, clothing can be used to convey a person’s beliefs and ideas, as well as to express oneself.
One great example of costume design influencing popular culture in recent time is the athleisure trend that has become commonplace. In the 2010s, activewear started to be seen as a fashion statement, and now many people of all ages and walks of life wear it on a regular basis.
In conclusion, costume design can set the tone for popular culture in a variety of ways. From marker of status symbols to expression of personal beliefs, clothing has been used to define and reflect each era – and that still holds true today.
Through time, fashion and film have been intertwined, leaving us with a lasting legacy of iconic costumes that have graced the silver screen. From Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe to The Hunger Games, the impact of fashion in film will remain long after the credits have rolled.
