Yes to going to the movies. Yes to soda. Yes to rom coms. Yes I am incensed they get screwed with bad costumes bc that’s one thing they should absolutely nail. Think about it….Sandra bullock trying to kneel to propose in her skin tight power suit in the proposal? Iconic. Carrie sending out announcements and registering for herself after her shoes are stolen? As a single late 30-something with no kids, I also find this iconic. Claudette Colbert teasing her leg out of her skirt to get a ride? Iconic. Molly ringwald’s upcycled prom dress? Hideous but also iconic! Cher’s makeover in moonstruck? ICONIC. None of these magical movie moments could have happened without the clothes. The clothes! The only point i disagree is that SATC styling is unrealistic. People are unbearably safe these days. The early 2000s were all about maximalism and we did so much. I keep waiting for another show for the fashion girls and the closest we’ve come in the last few years is killing eve. I say Bring back the fun
You’re so real for putting “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) on your list! That movie changed me solely because of the clothes, and it would’ve been an entirely different movie without the amazing styling!! LOVED THIS. 🥹✨💌
lovely essay 🤍 my friend and i went to see it ends with us and all of our debrief was permeated with the questions we couldn’t stop thinking about — what the fuck was she we wearing? why was she dressed like that? it made no sense!!!! really distracted from our other critiques of the movie
loved this post! the outfits in “it ends with us” were truly awful, cause why was she wearing clashing patterns on top of other clashing patterns?? but in terms of the 2024 remake of mean girls i think it was fitting, kind of what a modern regina george would wear in 2024 but in like a retro throwback/ “we love the 2000’s” kinda way.
I feel the same way for how soundtracks build a cinematic universe. Ultimately the goals of both composer and costumer is to propel characters forward with the story, realism be damned. That's why Carrie works (an eclectic fashion freak with opinions that are borderline offensive) and Emily doesn't (could you imagine her having anything like enough backbone to refer to wearing gold as "ghetto fabulous?"). Honorable mention for costumes that get is SO RIGHT would be Fleabag and Insecure Season 1 (haven't started S2 yet so cannot vouch).
I was shocked by how heinous Blake Lively’s costumes were in that movie. I thought her performance was largely convincing (is she a great actress? No, but she has presence, and she nailed the really harrowing scenes, I cried for her) but the costumes took me out of her performance many times. I feel like Carhartt did some stealth product placement with it. The production design and art direction generally made my eye twitch. Why does Ryle’s kitchen look like a render from a hardware catalog? Why are there so many knickknacks in Lily’s flower shop?? Why is there MOSS everywhere in there, too? Atlas apartment was the only set that looked like a real human could live there.
i looove the way you write about going to the theater!! you totally make me want to go ☺️ this was such a thoughtful and interesting piece, i feel like you have described this phenomenon perfectly
Party Girl is a perfect example of thoughtful costuming that is a main feature of the character without overpowering anything about the performance or story. Symbiotic function instead of the parasitic relationship between carhart, bode, and Colleen Hoover lol.
I've been working on a personal project via TikTok called the 100 Fashion Films project where I watch, research, and analyze costume design from a list of 100 movies that have deeply influenced Western fashion. A handful of the ones you listed here are included, some have been covered already others I haven't gotten to yet! I'm on the app as @st_evens for those of you that want to follow along :) Movie #41 was The Matrix!
I don’t want to see the movie, but I am curious if people who have seen the outfits in it think BL styled them to intentionally look off? Is this a case of a celebrity thinking that because they’ve worn beautiful clothes selected for them that they could do a great job costuming?
One of my favorite stylish TV shows is Pushing Daisies! Each character had a really distinct style. So fun to watch.
I saw an article that said Blake was unhappy with the original wardrobe because it was frumpy and her fans would not be happy either. So I guess she thought this was better?
the list at the end was the cherry on top🤍 I LOVE THE MOVIES!!!!
and i love talking about movies with YOU 🫂
Yes to going to the movies. Yes to soda. Yes to rom coms. Yes I am incensed they get screwed with bad costumes bc that’s one thing they should absolutely nail. Think about it….Sandra bullock trying to kneel to propose in her skin tight power suit in the proposal? Iconic. Carrie sending out announcements and registering for herself after her shoes are stolen? As a single late 30-something with no kids, I also find this iconic. Claudette Colbert teasing her leg out of her skirt to get a ride? Iconic. Molly ringwald’s upcycled prom dress? Hideous but also iconic! Cher’s makeover in moonstruck? ICONIC. None of these magical movie moments could have happened without the clothes. The clothes! The only point i disagree is that SATC styling is unrealistic. People are unbearably safe these days. The early 2000s were all about maximalism and we did so much. I keep waiting for another show for the fashion girls and the closest we’ve come in the last few years is killing eve. I say Bring back the fun
lol thank you for the proposal-proposal scene callout, SUCH a great use of costuming to tell you EVerything about that character and FAST!
Yes! I loved the variety in Villanelle’s outfits and seeing them hanging in her armoire. (It’s a life’s goal of mine to have an antique armoire.)
Wait that’s a life goal of mine too!!!! I think I need to rewatch to get inspired by Villanelle again 😍
One day we will both open our antique deco armoires and see our clothes for daily wear and hit jobs.
Really interesting! I actually loved Anne Hathaway’s styling in the idea of you but agree that insane cardigan took me right now.
no i agree!!! her styling was great, his was more the issue for me
You’re so real for putting “Romeo + Juliet” (1996) on your list! That movie changed me solely because of the clothes, and it would’ve been an entirely different movie without the amazing styling!! LOVED THIS. 🥹✨💌
YES!!!!!! such a special movie made even more special by the costuming
Wonderful read, thanks for this! I looove going to the movies, alone maybe half of the time, and it’s so great to be seen in our little joys :)
lovely essay 🤍 my friend and i went to see it ends with us and all of our debrief was permeated with the questions we couldn’t stop thinking about — what the fuck was she we wearing? why was she dressed like that? it made no sense!!!! really distracted from our other critiques of the movie
agree!!!!!!! it made it hard to focus on other aspects of the film that really warrant criticism
If I may be so bold. Off your list these are five movies I would guess that you also would like / could like:
• Sick of Myself
• Now & Then
• Titane
• The Future
• Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion
omg i’ve only seen Romy and Michele on this list!!! adding the rest to my want to watch list 💘💘
loved this post! the outfits in “it ends with us” were truly awful, cause why was she wearing clashing patterns on top of other clashing patterns?? but in terms of the 2024 remake of mean girls i think it was fitting, kind of what a modern regina george would wear in 2024 but in like a retro throwback/ “we love the 2000’s” kinda way.
I feel the same way for how soundtracks build a cinematic universe. Ultimately the goals of both composer and costumer is to propel characters forward with the story, realism be damned. That's why Carrie works (an eclectic fashion freak with opinions that are borderline offensive) and Emily doesn't (could you imagine her having anything like enough backbone to refer to wearing gold as "ghetto fabulous?"). Honorable mention for costumes that get is SO RIGHT would be Fleabag and Insecure Season 1 (haven't started S2 yet so cannot vouch).
I was shocked by how heinous Blake Lively’s costumes were in that movie. I thought her performance was largely convincing (is she a great actress? No, but she has presence, and she nailed the really harrowing scenes, I cried for her) but the costumes took me out of her performance many times. I feel like Carhartt did some stealth product placement with it. The production design and art direction generally made my eye twitch. Why does Ryle’s kitchen look like a render from a hardware catalog? Why are there so many knickknacks in Lily’s flower shop?? Why is there MOSS everywhere in there, too? Atlas apartment was the only set that looked like a real human could live there.
really enjoyed this read!! you hit the mark on the silly ass berets 🤣
i looove the way you write about going to the theater!! you totally make me want to go ☺️ this was such a thoughtful and interesting piece, i feel like you have described this phenomenon perfectly
Party Girl is a perfect example of thoughtful costuming that is a main feature of the character without overpowering anything about the performance or story. Symbiotic function instead of the parasitic relationship between carhart, bode, and Colleen Hoover lol.
I've been working on a personal project via TikTok called the 100 Fashion Films project where I watch, research, and analyze costume design from a list of 100 movies that have deeply influenced Western fashion. A handful of the ones you listed here are included, some have been covered already others I haven't gotten to yet! I'm on the app as @st_evens for those of you that want to follow along :) Movie #41 was The Matrix!
i think this was my favourite read in a while, especially the cherry on top of the appendix
I don’t want to see the movie, but I am curious if people who have seen the outfits in it think BL styled them to intentionally look off? Is this a case of a celebrity thinking that because they’ve worn beautiful clothes selected for them that they could do a great job costuming?
One of my favorite stylish TV shows is Pushing Daisies! Each character had a really distinct style. So fun to watch.
Pushing Daisies had SUCH good design. Incredible costumes, amazing set design, impeccable styling. A tragedy that it was so short-lived.
Every episode was a feast for the eyes! I miss it!
I saw an article that said Blake was unhappy with the original wardrobe because it was frumpy and her fans would not be happy either. So I guess she thought this was better?
Interesting. The Carhartt jacket and sequined gown feels like a very hamfisted attempt at juxtaposition 😬
Scary!
Such a good reference! I love that show