MovieChat Forums > Bright Star (2009) Discussion > loved the costumes!!!

loved the costumes!!!

posted 15 years ago by bmoviebimbo
10 replies | jump to latest

i don't usually pay that much attention to costumes in period pieces or any other films, but i was completely drawn to the costumes in this one...i was in awe, i would so wear any of fanny's outfits. the movie itself was so-so to me, but i think the costume designer was right on. anyone know how authentic the costumes were?

also, i'm ashamed to admit...this dumb american doesn't know much about european fashion history. the bonnets and high hats reminded me very much of something. was it dickensian? what other period films were set around the same era?

[–] aGuiltySoul 15 years ago

Charles Dickens was just a toddler during this time period. I do remember some of the same bonnets being used in early films based on Dickens, but that's just Hollywood's once arrogant disregard for historical accuracy...I also remember at one time when women wore heavy makeup for films set in the 1800's.

The same time period would be Jane Austen's books and the films based upon her stories. Here's an interesting webpage about Regency Period English costumes: http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/ACKERMAN.HTM

But you should note that these are examples of high fashion of the day, to be worn out in society, as opposed to simple country dresses or day dresses. However, note the outrageous hats.

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[–] Kiwifalling 15 years ago

The costumes are the best period-film costumes I've ever seen, and that's because they give weight to the characters. Fanny's beautiful creations, in particular, enhances and illustrates the character without stealing the movie from her (as most period costumes are prone to do - see The Duchess, Atonement, etc.)

I think it's ludicrous that the Young Victoria is sweeping all the costume prizes. It's just convention winning over innovation, that's for sure. Just HOW are the costumes in Young Victoria special from any typical apparel seen in BBC adaptations?

[–] astralxromance 15 years ago

I know, they were gorgeous.

[–] TheWumberlog 15 years ago

Not to put down the costumes, but for me Fanny's shoes stood out the most. They were so adorable!

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] oypoodle 15 years ago

I love Fanny's wardrobe in this movie. Especially the little sweater jacket she wears in this photo - http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1585350912/tt0810784 - I want it for myself. BS should've won Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards, IMO.

[–] wildsilver_fairy 15 years ago

The costumes were wonderful. The colours and often the style of the bonnets/collars isn't completely true to the regency era, but rather a stylized version. Nonetheless, they were beautiful and were perfectly suited to Fanny's character.

[–] jazzandmint 15 years ago

I love the fact that many of Fanny's frocks truly did look homemade. The trouble I have with many period films is that the wardrobe is often very extravagant when it doesn't need to be. The colors, as wildsilver mentions, might have been a bit unusual/bright for the time period, but the way they fit Fanny, the way they looked in the context of the scene, was absolutely perfect. This is my favorite Fanny dress.

http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bright-sta r-abbie-cornish2.jpg

The color really did wonders for Abbie Cornish. She's always pretty, but with these costumes she looked downright heavenly.

Decorate yourself from the inside out. -Andrei Turnhollow

[–] wildsilver_fairy 15 years ago

That is a lovely costume ^

[–] jane_bront 14 years ago

I really liked Fanny's style. Her clothes stood out in good way among all the other ladies' Regency costumes. Usually period piece costumes mostly look the same to me in films. Not Fanny's!

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