13 Movie Costumes That Look Exactly Like the Historic Originals

3 years ago

A biopic is one of the most difficult genres for a costume designer. Oddly enough, sometimes recreating existing outfits requires much more effort and time than developing characters’ outfits from scratch. Clothing in films that are “based on real events” should be as close to the legendary originals as possible. Designers have to carefully study the fashion of the given historical period, research archives, and even reproduce vintage textiles.

It’s wonderful that there are so many talented designers in Hollywood who can take on such tasks at the highest levels. At Bright Side, we admire the talent of these individuals and would like you to take a closer look at their refined creations.

Judy, 2019

One of Judy Garland’s most striking stage looks was a black dress with vibrant flowers, which came from an unlikely source. Costume designer Jany Temime found the fabric in an Indian shop in North West London. They had only 12 feet of it, so Jany could make just one dress. All the decorations on it were original jewels.

The Young Victoria, 2009

The costume designers of this movie did an amazing job. The queen’s wedding dress was recreated with pinpoint precision. As a result, the film received a 2010 Academy Award for “Best Costume Design.”

The Audrey Hepburn Story, 2000

By looking at Jennifer Love Hewitt’s dress, it’s hard to believe that this is only a replica of the famous dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s the work of wonderful designers!

A Quiet Passion, 2016

One of the costumes shown in the movie is an exact copy of the dress from Emily Dickinson’s portrait. Designers managed to recreate the poet’s outfit perfectly.

My Week with Marilyn, 2011

The design team who worked on the biopic dedicated to Marilyn Monroe recreated many of the actress’s costumes, including the iconic white dress from the romantic comedy, The Prince and the Showgirl.

I, Tonya, 2017

The costume designers reproduced the majority of the famous skater’s dresses, like this amazing burgundy dress that Tonya wore during her performance in the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Liz & Dick, 2012

When working on Elizabeth Taylor’s iconic scarlet dress, costume designers focused on the cut, minimizing decorative elements of the dress. And it didn’t spoil the heroine’s look at all.

Florence Foster Jenkins, 2016

The movie costume designers showed some imagination and changed Florence Foster Jenkins’ famous costume significantly. But a lot of decorative elements and a grotesque tiara only underlined the singer’s eccentricity.

Marie Antoinette, 2006

The shape of the dress fully corresponds to the wedding gown of the eighteenth century. However, the designers had to change the fabric as they didn’t have the textiles of that historical period, and they simplified the decorative elements. Marie Antoinette’s real wedding gown was covered in real gems.