Though we often admire the brilliant talent of the actors, directors, and scriptwriters for creating our favorite movies, let’s not forget the crucial contribution of the costume designers! A film can’t be successful without appropriate clothes for the characters, and some designs even include hidden messages that you might fail to notice.
Let’s have a closer look at the costume details you may overlook in the 10 movies below!
#1 Cinderella (2015)
Source: © Cinderella / Allison Shearmur Productions and co-producers
The image of the glass slippers was iconic in the well-known movie Cinderella. The pairs were made of real glass, and each weighed more than 2 pounds. Therefore, Lily James donned leather shoes, which were replaced later with CGI to look like the glass pairs.
#2 The Fifth Element (1997)
Source: © The Fifth Element / Gaumont and co-producers
Leelo, played by Milla Jovovich, wore a weird outfit inspired by hospital gowns and bandages. The actress revealed that as the character was in a health center, she should “have as little as possible, but for the sake of modesty, you have to cover up….”
#3 Black Panther (2018)
Source: © Black Panther / Marvel Studios and co-producers
Do you notice the triangular-shaped necklace Black Panther wore in many scenes? In fact, though it looked like metal, designers created it with light rubber to be more convenient.
#4 Pirates of the Caribbean — The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Source: © Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers, © Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Jack’s hat was supposed to be made of leather, and it did look like that. However, as it was easy to get lost overboard, the designer decided to replace it with a rubber one, which was waterproofing.
#5 Devil Wear Prada (2006)
Source: 20thCentFox / Courtesy Everett Collection
The fashion magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, stood out with the white hair the actress suggested herself. The designers had to create outfits that matched her look, and one efficient plan to manage with a minuscule budget was to find help from famous fashion houses, including Chanel.
#6 Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Source: © Beauty and the Beast / Mandeville Films and co-producers
The character Belle in the movie, played by Emma Watson, was a modern woman, and her dress implied that clearly. One example is her eco-sustainable cape. Additionally, the detail of the ballerinas in the classic animated version was replaced with boots.
#7 Titanic (1997)
Source: © Maximum Film / Alamy Stock Photo
In Titanic, a suggested tip to help stay longer in the water tanks is to wear wetsuits under the clothes. However, some people refused to do this, and one of them was Kate Winslet.
#8 Cruella (2021)
Source: © Cruella / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
The hit Cruella brought home two Academy Awards, including one for best costume design. Undeniably, 47 outfits for the main character of the film were gorgeous. However, the designers faced many struggles to create them. For instance, her white cape that could catch fire (to reveal a red dress) was credited to CGI.
The script also wrote about a red skirt that was heavy enough to cover a car yet light enough to be wearable. Interestingly, the creative designers ended up hand-sew 5060 petals with the help of costume design students to create the dress.
#9 Dune (2021)
Source: © Duna / Warner Bros. and co-produces
Lady Jessica’s outfit was related to her role in the story. At first, she sported a black dress as she needed to remain hidden. In later scenes, she wore a veil that depicted her as a concubine. Her dress also implied that she was chained by showing a hierarchical difference.
#10 Atonement (2007)
Source: © Atonement / Universal Pictures and co-producers
The classic dress Keira Knightley wore in Atonement actually had its own meaning. Following the director’s orders, the dress was long, light, and green to represent jealousy and depict the hot season of the movie set. The technique to make it look stunning was that the filming process was designed around the dress.
Are you impressed by any of these facts? Do you like to dress up or design clothes? Have you ever tried to come up with new or strange outfits? Share with us your idea and experiences in the comment below, and don’t forget to check out other posts on the website to get updated with more cool news and stories!
