Teenage, 50’s diner-style wear at its stereotypical best. Save for it’s funky 70’s Barry Gibb disco theme tune, you might be forgiven for thinking it was 1959 at Rydell High. Grease (1978) bursts with pep, which the company to this day pertain to be genuine fun. They spent all day in character on set; obvious to the viewer as the chemistry between everyone at Rydell is so apparent. When the 50’s costumes, by Albert Wolsky, arrived on set, the cast were apparently overjoyed. This article focuses on Betty ‘Rizzo’, captivatingly played by Stockard Channing; not only the most complex character (many say she stole the film) but in costume terms…

Toy Story 3 is going to be wicked. Clothes on Film will happily commit to that declaration on nothing more than a hunch. So let’s get even more hyped by checking out some pics of the characters, principally the one most obsessed by himself and fashion (including Barbie), moulded ‘ladies man’ Ken. Apparently a proper ‘swinging bachelor’ since 2004, Ken of Toy Story 3 (as voiced by Michael Keaton) is accurately based on ‘Animal Loving Ken’ of the Mattel toy line, circa late 1980s. He wears a light blue, short sleeve leopard print shirt with light green spot flecks; matching cargo shorts with leatherette gold belt, and matching moccasin loafers…

Based loosely on the real life theft of £12,000 of gold bullion from a moving railway train in 1855 (though in the movie the amount had swelled to £25,000), The First Great Train Robbery (1979) features a hefty slew of period costumes for its modest $6,000,000 budget. It is also Michael Crichton’s best film as a director, adapted from his own novel published in 1975. 1855, London: most definitely a time of gentlemanly excellence. Before the lounge suit took hold in the late nineteenth century, the frock coat (or variations thereof) and trousers, whether single or double breasted for formality, was considered the only way for man to dress in…

The first trailer for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris has hit the net. It seems on track with the first film; lots of action and banter, only this time grimy London has been replaced by snowy Europe. Jenny Beavan returns for costume design; the look is late Victorian with a twist. A few interesting sartorial notes pop up, mainly attributable to ever dapper Dr. John Watson (Law), though we are given a glimpse of Sherlock Holmes’ (Downey Jr.) nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Harris). New love interest Sim (Rapace) only really gets to showcase a wide brim hat, fringed bodice…

Whip It (2009) is Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut, and by all accounts it’s very good too. Set in the literally hard-hitting world of roller derby, Whip It tells the tale of Bliss Cavendar (Ellen Page) and her struggle to find acceptance in this merciless contact game along with some meaning in her life. We have already covered the costumes in a short piece looking at the ‘vogue’ of roller derby (HERE) with its totally original mix of sporting attire and fashion customisation. If Whip It had been a bigger hit in the States, possibly via more accurate marketing from its distributor, then this look would be all over the fashion…

Here are some images and the latest trailer from Water for Elephants starring Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz and Robert Pattinson. Early 1930s costumes by Jacqueline West, and they look to be dazzling. Based on the book by Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants is a romantic drama told primarily in flashback to the great Depression. Young veterinary student Jacob (Pattinson) by fate finds himself travelling on a train carrying the Benzini Brothers circus. Joining said circus to care for the animal menagerie, Jacob falls for equestrian star Marlena (Witherspoon), despite her marriage to charming but dangerous August (Waltz). It is a sweeping, against-all-odds tale of lifelong love. To watch this video,…

Starring: Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell Directed by: Lloyd Bacon This is a deliciously funny musical. It’s racy and light years ahead of its time; a power play of sexual politics set in the heightened blood, sweat and tears world of professional theatre. Shot during America’s Great Depression, 42nd Street (1933) follows the culmination of tired Broadway director Julian Marsh’s (Warner Baxter) production of ‘Pretty Lady’. The machinations of the chorus girls and randy male dancers form a background to Peggy Sawyer’s (Ruby Keeler) story; her ascent from newbie performer to replacing Pretty Lady’s injured lead Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) on opening night. It’s revealing nothing to say Sawyer…

Here is the first official photo of Chris Hemsworth as Thor, courtesy of Yahoo (nip over there for the full image). Just a sneaky peek at the costume, but it is enough to get the collective internet moaning/cheering. Simply titled ‘Thor’, this is director Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 slated version of the Marvel superhero. In addition to Hemsworth, the film also stars Natalie Portman as love interest Jane Foster, Anthony Hopkins as Thor’s father Odin and Tom Hiddleston playing big villain/Thor’s half-brother, Loki. For those not that well acquainted with the Marvel universe, Thor is not actually a person, he is a god. The god of thunder to be exact. In…

Shocking, but not really considering all the legal wrangling going on with the franchise recently, James Bond 23 has been shelved “indefinitely”. Not good news for any of us who enjoy gawping at the man’s enviable wardrobe. Without getting lost in our dusty legal dictionary, it appears that the main problem lies with Bond’s financial backers MGM. Having put themselves up for sale late last year, the company’s shareholders are currently in the process of arguing to accept the best offer (i.e. take the money and run) or hold out in hopes of keeping the studio afloat. In other words, they’re in limbo. Bond’s producers EON, as headed by Barbara…

Directed By: John Cameron Mitchell Starring: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest While it may be uncomfortable to watch, Rabbit Hole is nonetheless essential viewing. Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie (Aaron Eckhart) are a suburbanite couple in mourning from the recent death of their young son. As Becca seeks solace in repression interspersed by outbreaks of rage, Howie wants to share his pain in hope of catharsis. Unsurprisingly their togetherness, their marriage, is slowly breaking apart. This is a film that defines its characters’ identity by their grief and how they choose to experience it. Kidman is a model of self-control as the Cath Kidston-esque housewife who seemingly has it…