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What are your favorite films for inspiration?
I recently rewatched one of my absolute favorite films in terms of costuming, 3 Coins in the Fountain.
This movie is pretty dopey, but it is entirely worth it just to see what the characters are wearing. And I am just so drawn to that technicolor 1950s palette of muted colors.
I don’t know about you, but I will definitely watch films just for the costume and production design. It’s not just the pretty factor. I like that films construct an entire world of character and story, and the way that’s expressed through the visual.
If you think about it, that’s what each of us is doing. We are each our own little costume designers for our own lives.
If you’re interested in film inspiration, I recommend the (mostly inactive) blog Sweet Sunday Mornings for tons of beautiful film stills.
What films have you found have the most inspiring costumes?
I’d love to learn about some new ones! Give them all to us, be they classic films, new blockbusters, period dramas, all of it! Let’s all update our netflix lists.
[film stills via Sweet Sunday Mornings]
Comments
Lora
September 1, 2014 #
I’m with Alison – The Women (1939). Every little detail of design in that movie is inspiring from sets to costumes. The fashion show sequence is great but doesn’t hold a candle to the rest of the film.
Juçara
September 2, 2014 #
Os figurinos dos anos 50 são lindos, eu adoro!
mas no filme “minha querida baba” o figurino e muito charmoso.
Annie Sharkey
September 3, 2014 #
Revolutionary Road – Kate Winslet Movie; Mildred Pierce HBO – Kate Winslet.
Lemony Snicket’s – A series of unfortunate events
Karana Kaye
September 3, 2014 #
Favorite Movie with great Costumes… My Fair Lady you have the class range but let’s face it Eliza’s clothes upper class clothes are gorgeous. Auntie Mame with Rosalind is so fun & again you have a range depending on the time (right before the depression to 1950’s) & where she is at the time from 1 of her extravagant NYC house parties to trying to impress her hope-to-be-soon full blooded Southern in-laws to traveling the world to places like Egypt & the Matterhorn. Then 1 of my all time favorite movies from since I was little is “American Dreamer” with JoBeth Williams. Honestly I’ve never thought much about the costumes from that because its so 80’s, but like what Sarai said about her’s, the costumes set up the characters. Kathy as Kathy’s costumes are not extravagant like a typical midwest housewife would be, while Kathy who thinks that she is Rebecca Ryan dresses more “fashionable & expensive” because what sexy single gal can solve mystery/ crimes in Paris while dresses as an Ohio housewife? Not Rebecca Ryan.
Patricia
September 6, 2014 #
One of the first films I remember being totally enchanted with some costuming was, of all things, The Prime of Miss Jane Brodie. The uniform the girls wear has (if memory serves) this amazing front pleat I couldn’t stop sketching while I was watching. I was just beginning to sew at that point, but I remember thinking, “I could totally make that” I never did, but it was a cool feeling. Another film that sticks in my head for costuming is Todd Haynes “Far From Heaven”. Julianne Moore, as a 1950’s housewife, had a coat for every outfit and she was stunning.
I enjoy costuming as part of the movie process, especially if it isn’t a very good movie. That gives me more time to look at costumes.
Claire May
September 9, 2014 #
I love the outfits Rene Russo wore in The Thomas Crown Affair – all Michael Kors (Celine). Absolutely beautiful and completely wearable (except perhaps the see-thru gown!). Also there are wonderful costumes in Poirot.
Eme
September 10, 2014 #
I go from here to there when it comes to fashion and film, but my go to are: Last Year at Marienbad and Storyville. I also love old tv shows like Moonlightning and Remington Steele.