Fashion in Film: How Period Movies Bring Historical Style to Life

One of the most captivating elements of period films is their ability to transport audiences into different eras through the lens of fashion. Costume designers meticulously recreate historical styles to ensure that every outfit, accessory, and silhouette tells a story that is as rich as the plot itself. Through the fashion in film, we don’t just see the past—we feel it, from the opulent ballgowns of the Victorian era to the sharply tailored suits of the 1920s.

Period movies like ‘Marie Antoinette’ (2006), ‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013), and ‘Anna Karenina’ (2012) showcase how clothing is used as a narrative tool to express character, societal status, and historical context. In ‘Marie Antoinette’, Sofia Coppola’s vibrant and modern take on the 18th century, costume designer Milena Canonero brought the Rococo period to life with extravagant dresses, corsets, and elaborate wigs that mirrored the opulence and eventual downfall of the French monarchy. Each piece was carefully designed to reflect the indulgent lifestyle of the queen while highlighting her eventual isolation.

Image Courtesy: MUBI

Similarly, ‘The Great Gatsby’, with its glamorous 1920s flapper dresses, Art Deco accessories, and sharp men’s suits, captures the decadence of the Jazz Age. Costume designer Catherine Martin's use of glittering fabrics and bold patterns mirrors the novel’s themes of excess, ambition, and the American Dream, setting a visual tone that supports the film’s narrative.

In ‘Anna Karenina’, Jacqueline Durran’s costumes are a work of art in themselves, evoking 19th-century Russia’s aristocratic fashion while mirroring the emotional turmoil of the characters. The contrast between Anna’s extravagant dresses and the sombre, often muted tones of other characters serves as a visual metaphor for her tragic journey.

Image Courtesy: The New York Times

These films demonstrate how historical fashion not only serves as eye-catching decoration but as an essential part of storytelling, bringing the past to life with authenticity, style, and depth.

–Farheen Ali