Costuming!
Normally? I’m not one to notice costuming. I certainly don’t THINK in costumes, or spend hours casting and dressing my characters.
However, every once in a while, costuming is done with such … unique flair that even I stand up and take notice.
This movie is available on netflix streaming and it is aimed at a younger audience while still being fun for kids-at-heart like myself. It didn’t have the deepest plotline, but I enjoyed absolutely every moment of it.
The best thing, though? The COSTUMING.
I can only imagine that some costume designer was told, “You know what? Just do whatever your heart says is right,” because there is such obvious LOVE sewn into these outfits.
You
Anyone have any favorite costuming movies, tv shows, anything? How important is costuming to you when you read a book?
13 Comments
I’ve watched Moonacre (you are right, the plot isn’t much. Justin fell asleep) but I honestly don’t remember the costumes. …Was there a red dress?
costumes in TV and movies. If it’s a modern setting, costumes don’t make a concious impact on me. The one exception would be Big Bang Theory, when a character OUT of costume would look odd (Kuthrapali in a hideous sweater, Wallowitz in a turtleneck and hideous pants, Sheldon in a long sleeved T and nerd shirt, Leonard in a hoodie AND a jacket. Penny in something skanky)
however, If the visual media is ‘period’ or sci-fi/fantasy, there is a greater likilihood of it having an impact on me. (The 5th Elemenet crazy orange strap ‘jumpsuit’) (Queen Amidala) (LotR)
Costumes in written media are more hit and miss. Too much description gets boooring (which I think was a reason that The Princess Bride became an ‘abbridged’ version). But just enough description is excellent. I find this strikes me most when the clothing has a function (mistborn cloaks, sorta; fancloth Warder cloak) or if the distinguishing characteristics help me determine what sort/caste/faction of character I’m dealing with (military garb, barbarian, dessert tribe)
Yes! Very true. Characters in even modern tv shows do tend to have a “look” but period/fantasy stuff tends to really bring out the designers.
In books, unless it matters, keep it to a minimum. I am not one to go around assuming a character is naked unless a detail is given. If it’s a modern day book with a bland character, I assume something like jeans and a t-shirt. It’s okay to mention “skirt” or “knee-length skirt” or even “red knee-length skirt” but the moment you start describing the stitching and the cuff of the shirt and the length of the socks and the height of the heels on the boots, I scram.
In a visual medium…as Kristen said, I generally don’t think I notice much in the way of costumes unless something is *wrong*.
That said, I thought this was a fantastic point:
“I find this strikes me most when the clothing has a function (mistborn cloaks, sorta; fancloth Warder cloak) or if the distinguishing characteristics help me determine what sort/caste/faction of character I’m dealing with (military garb, barbarian, dessert tribe)”
Because as soon as Tami said ‘costume’, my mind immediately jumped to the stillsuits of Frank Herbert’s Dune universe.
I do very much think that most characters should have SOME sort of defining piece of clothing, just to help them stand out a little.
Like Dresden’s trenchcoat or Kvothe’s hooded cloak (with many pockets hidden within!).
Not always necessary, to be sure…but I always found it a bit of a nice touch.
Agreed. And it helps, too. I know Dresden’s wearing a trenchcoat. I don’t know if he’s wearing jeans or slacks or sweats underneath it, and I don’t care if his shirt is yellow or white or blue or black. The trenchcoat is enough.
Exactly!
Everything isn’t important…
It’s something you told me once about your character in Love’s Champion.
About how you should give juuuust enough for the reader to get an image in their head, but not enough that you drown out their own imagination.
I feel like I should mention jewelry as part of ‘costumes.’
Ringo, who is a real person, not a character (mostly), is distinguished by his rings.
but back to fiction, jewelry can play a big part in a persons status or role (Aes Sedai Serpent ring, Kvothe’s talent pipes). Also plot devices “must sell jewelry to buy food! woe is me!” Who else has jewelry examples?
The rings in Tolkien’s work, obviously. There were also cultural references, such as the knot of colored ribbons indicating a street busker in Lackey’s Lark and the Wren.
The “costumes” in The Untouchables were fantastic. (The Brian De Palma film with Deniro, Costner, Connery and ANDY GARCIA!!!) Those men all looked fantastic, comfortable and perfect. I think that is the only time I have really been amazed with costumes, and they were nothing beyond normal and representative for the time. It might be the only time I ever paid attention to costumes at all,
In literature? Nothing that stands out.
Jewerly? Was someone wearing pearls, cuz they should have been.
Pearls are the best jewelry. <3
Also, every time I look at "costumes" from that era, I get all maudlin. Men should wear fedoras. Yes they should.
I, on the other hand, am a costume freak. I’ve made replica costumes since I was in middle school (though I don’t do much these days), and I used to sew halloween costumes for my roommates, as well as hand-drafted patterns for SCA garb for myself. I love costumes, and I will never grow out of playing dress-up. My favorite costuming is probably in fantasy and historical stuff, and I’m a sucker for Ngila Dickson’s work on Lord of the Rings, as well as some of the better done period movies (I will watch a movie just for the costuming). I’m also known to pause movies to look at knitwear and see if I can figure it out. If I had the time to go with the desire, I’d make the burgundy pirate gown that Elizabeth is “given” on the Black Pearl in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. SO LOVELY.
I LOVE costumes, but I have zero skills for creating them (which includes both the creativity necessary and the sewing skills. One can be taught more easily than the other).
I do love dressing up, though. I’m hoping to plan a fancy restaurant outing in steampunk attire this year.
I don’t really notice, but my wife does. Amongst many things, I’ve learned that “Alias” is basically playing dress up with Jennifer Gardner and Lady Gaga never seems to wear pants.
I watched episode 1 of Alias and am pretty sure that I would find the overall storyline depressing. I could totally see that turning into dress-up, though. Even that first episode showed a wider wardrobe than I own (and lots of middriff-baring sweaters. Why even HAVE a sweater?!)