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Worst Costume Errors In Movie History
Costumes are one of, if not the most important part of a character outside of the actor actually playing them. Nothing better represents how the person in a role shapes and transforms a personality, and many times, the defining identity of any main character is their costume.
However, not all costume design ends up being great, and oftentimes fans and critics alike have lots to say regarding the authenticity and cultural context of certain costumes. Some are historically incorrect, others are impossible, and others are just downright bad. Here are the worst costume errors in Hollywood history.
Singin’ In The Rain — Dress of a Different Decade
The lovely pink gown that Kathy dons at the film premiere near the end was a very popular look in the 1950s….problem is, this movie is set in the 1920s. Whoops! Still a great film, though.
The Informant — Shifty Shoes
During this movie’s golfing scenes, the characters are shown wearing Nike shoes. Problem is, Nike never manufactured shoes for golfing until 1996.
The Wizard Of Oz — Ruby Slippers? More Like Charcoal Sneakers
The ruby slippers are among the most famous and recognizable costume props in movie history, but Dorothy doesn’t always have them on during the film’s entirety. I would imagine that they were extremely uncomfortable, though!
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade — Unattainable Medals
Many of the Nazi bad guys in this film carry certain WWII medals on their uniforms. Only one slight hitch: this movie takes place right at the dawn of the war, which means that many of their accomplishments wouldn’t have even occurred yet at that point in time.
Catch Me If You Can — Bad Braces
Amy Adams’ character has a full mouth of braces in this Spielberg biopic set in the ‘60s, despite that style of braces not being used until the mid-1970s. Still an excellent movie, though.
The Avengers — Damage Repair
At one point during the climactic New York City battle, Cap receives a pretty serious injury to his side, but later on the injury completely vanishes. Even if Cap’s superhuman strength would allow him to heal that quickly, I don’t think he has the power to mend clothing as well!
My Girl — Non-Existent Mood Ring
Vada must have had some sort of time travel machine in this movie, because the mood ring that she wears wasn’t invented until about three years after this movie takes place.
American Hustle — Contemporary Bling
The watch that Louis C.K. wears in this film is actually a Rolex from 2010. What’s wrong with that, you may ask? The movie takes place in the ‘70s. This movie hustled you into thinking it was authentic to its time period!
Schindler’s List — A Bit Too Groomed
Many of the women in this film have shaved armpits and legs, but this is historically inaccurate for a couple reasons. First of all, there’s no way that women would have been able to stay that manicured in a labor camp. Secondly, being concerned about body hair wasn’t really a trend in Europe during the 1940s.
The Ten Commandments — Defunct Dye
This biblical epic of grand proportions is widely considered to be a cinematic masterpiece, but it did have more than a few historical inaccuracies. One of these includes Nefretiri’s aqua-blue dress. In ancient times, clothing color consisted of more earthy tones due to clothing dye being derived from nature. Since nothing in nature has a color like this, it’s highly unlikely that a dress of this hue would have existed.
Dirty Dancing — Denim Duds
This classic film helped make denim shorts a popular craze in the ‘80s. It’s just too bad that the movie takes place in the ‘60s! Oh well. You can still have the time of your life watching it, though.
Saving Private Ryan — Black is the New Brown
In this epic WWII drama, several paratroopers (including Private Ryan himself) can be seen wearing black boots. However, during WWII all troopers were issued brown boots. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the US army began issuing black boots.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Done-Up Pirates
According to actual history, very few pirates donned such lavish hats or brandished fancy bandoliers and pistols. Only very wealthy pirates could afford such expensive gear, and hats were used only to attribute rank given how extremely hot it was in the Caribbean.
Django Unchained — Shady Shades
This popular Tarantino flick pits the everyman slave-turned-hero Django against the ruthless slave owner Calvin Candie, all while sporting quite the dapper pair of shades (and looking pretty badass to boot). Problem is, sunglasses didn’t arrive in America until 1929. Oh well. Even the great Tarantino isn’t above some creative license.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back — Jinxed Jacket
Though this was eventually fixed in the special editions, for many years there was a shot during the carbonite freezing scene where Han Solo’s jacket magically appeared and then disappeared once again. I would blame the Force, but as Han himself stated, “That’s not how the Force works!”
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves — Telescope Out of Time
This romping adventure of Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood had one little inaccuracy in it: the telescope. The refracting telescope wasn’t actually invented until the 1600s.
Pirates Of The Caribbean — Cowboy Amongst Pirates
It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, but at the very end of the film when Captain Jack finally gets his beloved ship back in his hands, you can very clearly see one of the film crew in the background for a brief moment. Unless I’m mistaken, I don’t believe cowboy hats were very fashionable in the Caribbean at that time!
Amadeus — Zippers Ahead of Their Time
This film about famed composer Mozart won numerous Academy Awards, including Best Costume Design. There was one little flaw in the design of the costumes, however. Zippers weren’t invented until 120 years after the story takes place, despite being a prominent feature of the costumes in this movie.
Gladiator — Tunics and Biker Shorts
During a particular fight scene in the Roman colosseum, Russell Crowe’s biking shorts can be seen underneath his tunic as he falls to the ground. I suppose even the gladiators had to have some form of comfort!
Pearl Harbor — No Stockings? Shocking
Despite nylon stockings being very much in vogue during the 1940s, none of the lovely ladies of this historical drama are seen wearing any.
Alien — The Case of the Vanishing Hood
Just before Kane experiences his first interaction with a facehugger, he is clearly seen wearing a space hood under his helmet. Later on, when the helmet is removed, the hood mysteriously disappears.
Picnic at Hanging Rock — Wrong Hairstyle
The movie was made in the ‘70s but is set during the turn of the century. Which era do you think that hairstyle resembles more, though? My money’s on the hippie era.
The Aviator — Specific Spectacles
These thin-wire, frameless glasses that Robert Gross wears weren’t the look of the 1920s when the movie takes place. They’re certainly more modern in appearance.
Pride & Prejudice — If the Boot Fits, Still Don’t Wear It
This film based on the classic Jane Austen novel shows the main female protagonist Elizabeth Bennet wearing rubber Wellington boots. The only problem with this is that this style of footwear wasn’t invented until 1853, 40 years after this story’s setting.
Seabiscuit — Chin Straps?
This film about one of horse racing’s most famous equestrian athletes had only one slight issue: the jockeys were shown wearing chin straps, even though the movie takes place two decades before they were introduced.
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