Style is a key element in how we can come to understand characters portrayed in film and TV. Everything is calculated, sourced and refined to highlight certain aspects of their personalities. Some character identities lie in smaller details of how they are presented, whereas some are strikingly more obvious.
As one of the most fashionable women on TV, Carrie Bradshaw’s distinct style reflects her chaotic, romantic and fabulous nature. From the very moment she appears on screen, she is strutting along the streets of New York in heels and a pink ballet tutu. A piece which costume designer Patricia Field said she had found for 5 dollars in a thrift store. This in itself is indicative of Carrie’s identity; unexpected, slightly impractical but always fashionable and expressive. Something that becomes a recurrent theme throughout the series. Famously, she walked 48 blocks in 400 dollar shoes and a flamboyant fur coat, just to avoid paying for a taxi. Carrie was impulsive and impractical, and prioritised looking good and short term satisfaction. In both how she looked and how she acted in her personal and romantic life.
Additionally, Rachel Green’s style evolution is a very clear reflection of her character development from when she entered as a spoilt, preppy daddy’s girl. By the end of the series, Rachel was polished, put together but still trendy. In the early seasons, she often had messy and curly hair which reflected her mental state. She was experiencing the real world and its trials and tribulations for the first time, and so was slightly disheveled,in dungarees and lots of denim. As the series progressed, she appeared much more refined, sophisticated and sleek. It began to shape the audience’s perception of her as a successful businesswoman, mother and more well-rounded character, who remained stylish nonetheless.
Words by Amelie Jack
In Mulholland Drive the impact of fashion becomes immediately clear through Betty, our protagonist. She’s introduced to the audience wearing a bright pink, girlish cardigan with a face of youthful makeup and a perfectly styled mini bob. Betty is neat and put together with never so much as a hair out of place. It reflects her character well: a naive young actress in LA, looking for her big break.
But soon Betty’s gone, and we meet Diane – thereal Betty. Betty is the version of herself that Diane wishes she could’ve been – a bright, natural talent who gets to mature into a successful actress. Betty and Diane are one and the same, both are played by Naomi Watts, so how are we supposed to tell the difference? Well, the styling makes it obvious. Diane, in stark contrast to Betty, wears a white tank top with messy, unstyled hair. She has no makeup on.
The one time we see Diane wearing makeup, it’s not youthful or invisible like Betty’s. It’s bold and glamorous, and as she wears it, she loses what she’s been reaching for – Camilla, the object of her affection – for good. Things don’t come naturally to Diane like they do for Betty, and it reflects in everything about their appearances, down to the makeup.
The emotional climax of the movie is Club Silencio. Betty, still trapped in her dream world, sits with Rita, her perfect dream vision of Camilla. The version of Camilla that loves her back. Betty sports another bright pink top. Rita wears a black dress, one with no eye-drawing details, and a blonde wig to match Betty’s hair. From their clothing alone, we understand that in Diane’s perfect dream world, Rita – Camilla – is just a blank slate, a beautiful reflection of her own desire.
Words by Rhia Davies
Featured image courtesy of Charlota Blunarova via Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image licence found here.
