Stranger Things Season 3

Though I do realize this is a TV series and not a film, I'm making an exception to my own rules to talk about the amazing 80s fashion worn by El and Max this season. What I love about the costumes this season was how they started. El has been wearing her Dads hand-me-downs, so Max takes her to the mall. El says "How do I know what I like?" to which Max brilliantly replies, "You just try things on until you find something that feels like you."

El takes on the rest of the season clad with scrunches, neon prints, suspenders, and high rise pants. Though she is fighting evil Russians and demogorgons, she is dressed in clothes that make her feel strong and confident. She feels empowered through her fashion choices to protect her friends and restore peace to her town.

In an interview with Fashionista.com, costume designer Amy Parris breaks down El's fashion.

"The mall rats of the '80s were wearing these criss-cross belts and accessories were a huge thing. She just gets excited to pile it all on and it's colors and prints that she's not worn before," says Parris about the vibrant looks that catch Eleven's eye at Starcourt. The costume designer used a mix of vintage and rented pieces, but custom-built most of Eleven's shirts because of the need for multiples — you know, thanks to nosebleeds, monster goo and all.

"It was a chance for her to choose her own look and guide her own fashion sense," adds Parris.


I think this sends a wonderful message to viewers of all ages; dress in clothes that make you feel like you.

Carol

Carol is a movie set in the 1950s. It deals with the social constructs that existed back then surrounding gender roles and sexuality. Carol, a housewife, begins an affair with young photographer Therese. Their costumes reflect their age, their influence on each other, and the growth they experience through their time together.

When we are first introduced to the characters, their costumes inform their past. From a outsiders perspective, Carol seems to be a glamorous housewife. She is beautiful, wealthy, and friendly. She wears a mink coat, leather gloves, and a scarf. It wouldn't seem like anything is wrong in her life.

Therese is a young aspiring photographer. Her costumes in the beginning reflect her innocence. She wears headbands, berets, plaid, and collared shirts; a quasi schoolgirl look. Compared to Carol, they look so different it wouldn't seem they have anything in common.

They two couldn't dress more oppositely.

As the characters develop a relationship, their costumes reflect their internal changes. Carol begins to dress a little softer, embracing some plaid accents into her wardrobe. Therese wears more sophisticated clothing such as silk blouses.

But, their relationship can't continue due to the laws of the times, and they must part. During this section of the movie, Carol struggles to cope with her impending divorce and losing custody of her daughter. Her costumes get darker and at some moments she doesn't style her hair. 

Therese goest through a dramatic costume transformation. She cuts her hair into a more mature look and starts to dress very elegantly. Through her relationship with Carol, she has blossomed from a girl into a woman. 

Costume designer Sandy Powell excels in subtly showing the natural growth of human beings after an experience. 

Disney Costumes Inspire Imagination

I’m sure we’ve all had a phase of dressing up in Disney character costume. I know I did. I used to love putting on my Snow White dress or my Minnie Mouse ears and pretending I was in another land far away. My sister would dawn her Cinderella dress and together, we played pretend. Disney movies were always on in our house; I can remember a time when I got my VHS tape of Snow White stuck in the tape player. Though Disney movies today, especially the ones with a Princess as the main character are board line taboo, I challenge any distaste for them. A lot of debate surrounding these movies focuses on the gender stereotypes presented. Yes, I do see the controversy here and I am all for sending a positive message of strong powerful woman who don’t need no man. But, when these characters are embodied through play, any stereotypes that might be associated are tossed at the door. In my own experience of play, I felt nothing but empowerment putting on these costumes. When I put on my Snow White dress, I knew that I could stand up to any evil queen who tried to poison me, welcome any person into my home with a swish of my dress, and care for animals who looked to me for comfort. These costumes allowed me to imagine infinite possibilities. When I dressed up in a costume of a character that I idolized, it become armor.