“They say clothes maketh the man, and it’s certainly true that costumes maketh the character”
In 2018 we have seen a myriad of eye-catching fashion moments grace our film screens but there have been a select few moments that have been truly iconic. Great films need great actors, but what truly transforms a great film into a speactacular one is of course, the costume design. An iconic fashion moment has the ability to encapsulate the story behind the moment and thus, make it eternal. Let’s think back to Emma Stone’s unforgettable canary yellow frock in La La Land or Audrey Hepburn’s timeless LBD laced with pearls upon pearls or the entirety of Cher’s wardrobe in Clueless. Unfortunately, I don’t think any of this year’s Oscars nominated films are quite on par with these levels of beautiful brilliance, but we certainly have seen examples of exciting costume design in films such as, Call Me by Your Name, Lady Bird, The Phantom Thread and The Darkest Hour.
Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of the puzzled yet precious Elio is the performance everyone is talking about this year. Admittedly I was equally bemused by his intoxicatingly sultry performance of a vulnerable teen in love but what really drew me in to this film was the costume. Set in the 80’s, Call Me by Your Name sees a satisfying amount of double denim, pastel hues, tiny shorts and striped tees. The retro inspired fashion is reflective of many of the styles we are seeing in the current season, so don’t be afraid to take inspiration from Elio’s wardrobe but just be sure to opt for pastels and light vintage denims to avoid resembling Love Island’s newest cast member.
Another striking representation of an angsty but powerful teen is Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird. Lady Bird’s fiercely individual personality is perfectly exhibited through the edgy, grungy yet bold costumes she wears throughout the film. The piece that stole the show for me is her luminous pink netted prom dress which so perfectly highlights exactly what Lady Bird’s character stands for. A girl truthfully not bothered about ‘fitting in’, Lady Bird pairs her eccentric pink party dress with her pink dip dyed hair and numerous beaded chokers, embodying the daring millennial we all aspire to be.
Amie Tyrer
Images: Pinterest