The Costume Designs

[Cat]

I've never studied textiles, never been interested in fashion and, quite frankly, I know nothing about the subject whatsoever. But that doesn't mean that costume design, especially period or fantasy designs, don't impress me. In fact, I believe that the costumes are one of the 'little things' aspects which make up the Harry Potter movies... as the 'little things' always do, for any movie. Without those fabulous costumes, you'd just have a bunch of weirdoes pretending to be wizards.

And to think, somebody placed every single button. That is something that the imagination will seldom do.

In a big wobbly bout of oddness, I'm more excited about the costume side than I am about the actors. Because it's the costumes that turn a good actor into their character. Actors come two a penny (especially in Britain) but the costumes are made just for the characters! I find that thought so exciting.

Where was I? Oh, yes.

Do you have in mind any specifications for the costumes of future characters for the Harry Potter films? The Prisoner of Azkaban, in particular. How should Sirius wear his plain prison robes, when the robe design so far has been less frock and more fancy? And, speaking of fancy, Lupin's garments might be complex to design - it must be hard to go for shabby when almost everything else has been so extravagent. Is there anything about the style of the designs so far that you would change or add?

[lanifiel]

I'm really hanging out to see the Dress Robes and Gowns the boys and girls where to the Ball in the movie, thats going to look incredable! As for Sirius's Prision Robes, I think they will be tattered and frayed, hopefully not in a bright orange design or with white and grey bars on them :)

I also totally agree that the Costumes are the kind of thing that can make or break a flim. It adds so much to the visual aspect of a film. Nice Thread Cat :)

[Tarawyn]

The dress robes will be interesting to say the least. I trust them on that one. They're good at fancy design, even for the not-so-fancy.

I have a pretty strong mental image of Sirius's robes - frayed, not-quite-tattered but with a number of rips, with dirt almost coating them in some places, and too big. Most likely twice as hard to accomplish as the fancy, but Sirius's costume is one of the most important ones IMO. The costume would make easy visualization for his character.

I've never really understood why designing a simple costume is harder than designing a complex one, but I'm sure that as long as Lupin's costume isn't overworked, it shouldn't be too hard to deal with.

[Cat]

Originally posted by Tarawyn (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=268574#post268574))
I have a pretty strong mental image of Sirius's robes - frayed, not-quite-tattered but with a number of rips, with dirt almost coating them in some places, and too big. Most likely twice as hard to accomplish as the fancy, but Sirius's costume is one of the most important ones IMO. The costume would make easy visualization for his character.

I've never really understood why designing a simple costume is harder than designing a complex one, but I'm sure that as long as Lupin's costume isn't overworked, it shouldn't be too hard to deal with.


Because if you're designing a complex outfit you get to show off, which can always come naturally, whereas a simple outfit requires that you go back to basics.

I don't imagine Sirius' costume too big. I mean, it would be very loose because he's so thin but I can picture ankles showing because he's also so tall :D
It'd probably look even more filthy than Dobby's pillowcase!

[Snowpoke]

I LOVE the costumes in this movie!:drool: I'm no expert in fabrics or sewing, but they are excellently done. Someone has a really good eye for what textures and patterns go together.

Also I love the way each character's costumes accent their personalities. Lockhart, for example, has a dandy's costume, and Snape a harsh puritan's. Yet they all fit together and aren't silly.

I always imagined Sirius in head-to-toe black, with lots of mud and really big boots. Probably not even accurate to the book's description, I don't know.

I think they will do a good job with Lupin's costume (provided it's the same designer). The Weasely's costumes are all a little shabby, after all. Gotta love that thing Mrs. Weasely wears in CoS!:lol:

[Tarawyn]

Cat, I like that description. Ankles showing is a good touch. As for simple costume design, I think this may go hand-in-hand overneat clothing no matter the situation - the specifics come off as so important that it's hard to work with realism.

I've never really thought about Sirius's shoes - old gray sneakers sums it up, in a state like the rest of his clothing. His robes are described in Goblet of Fire as "ragged gray," so I guess you're a little off there, but it's not much, and could be overlooked by the designers. I like the idea of gray, though. I think it suits Sirius better than black, never mind his name...

[Cat]

Tarawyn, strangely enough, the most vivid idea that stood out in my mind was that Sirius should be barefoot! My mind just never gave him shoes. I'm heartless that way.

I also enjoyed imagining the black soles and bruised toes :elaugh:
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Oh, and I think Snape's costume looks somewhat like an old-fashioned schoolmaster's outfit. Which is just perfect. His costume might be my favourite, actually. His or Filch's, I can't decide.

[rotsiepots]

Cat, agreed -- I always envisaged Sirius as wandering around barefoot too.

The costume designers have an odd skill at making the new look old again (eg Ron's robes in CoS). I always imagined Sirius' robes as looking rather "washed out" and tattered, so I'm sure they'll design something to conform with this general interpretation.

[Kneazle]

I envision Sirius' Azkaban robes to be made of a coarse, grey, unrefined wool fabric-- sturdy but uncomfortable. They are covered in dust and dirt, are worn through at the knees and elbows, and are extremely frayed at the neck, cuffs, and hem. I never gave much thought to his shoes-- I suppose I always imagined a beaten sandal of some sort. I can easily imagine him going barefoot.

Lupin is too phasmatic for me to describe my ideas of his wardrobe-- I can't place anything about it except that it's threadbare and unobtrusive.

[Filius Flitwick]

I know it's weird, but when I think of Lupin's robes I think of a dull brown, similar in color to Filch's leather coat. Underneath is a dress shirt with a vest and matching pants. They are from an old suit that he likely purchased out of school(so it is very much out of style by current wizarding standards). If I were to have a humorous take on it I'd reason that he graduated during the 70's so he'd have a big butterfly collar and some bellbottom pants.

[Silk E Smooth]

I'm actually in a costume design class right now designing for the theatre. It's much more complex than I would have thought. I just got done doing Death of a Salesman. You would think just throw on some suits and give linda a dress but no..it's very complicated. Every article of clothing has to symbolize something. Going back and watching CoS again this week, I've noticed it a lot more. Dumbledore wears more layers and richer colors, Snape has bat/vampire features, Flitch always blends into the background, etc. The school uniforms are very bland making all the students equal. The student actors have to make their characters their own by gestures, and facial expressions, and the way they say things. They can't rely on clothing to tell much about them. As for the future books, I see Lupin in greys and untity clothes. Probably torn a lot as well. Black will be in black but nothing like Snape. His black will be torn and almost grey. I think Rita Skeeter will be bubbly and probably wear a lot of hot pinks and bold oranges. And I think the dress robes will look good too. I can't wait to see how they do those.

[Mad Macca]

I love it how the Harry Potter costumes aren't your typical wizard looking garments. I was going into Philosophers stone expecting these ridiculously extravagent typical witchy costumes, and was pleasantly surprised to find that they were not your average witch costume. I love Dumbledors costumes. One day I hope to get into costume design, but it is a very competative field, so chances are, I wont be able to.

[Weatherby]

I think Julie Christie will look beautiful in the Madam Rosmerta costume. I hope they keep the shoes.
I'm also dying to see what Professor Trelawney is going to wear.

[Dedalus]

Great thread :)

I agree that the costumes define the characters as much as, if not more, than the actors. Actors can be changed, but the costumes would remain similar and that's because they're created and not found, and so they have that character purely in mind.

On the special features DVD of the Chamber of Secrets, the head designer mentioned fitting in with the feel of the film for Lockhart, which is why they couldn't make him dress as lavishly as he does in the books. Which other characters would that apply to, do you think? Rita Skeeter and Bagman spring to my mind, and so they might be made to dress a little differently.

[dumbleedore]

I've always imagined Sirius' robes being all torn and shreded at the bottom, which shows bare leg.

I'm curious about the dress robes but. In the book, Harry describes them as exactly like his school ones. To (in the movie) make them exactly the same, they'll need to think up something to wear underneath them or... *starts giggling*

[go_anna40]

Well, I really enjoyed the costumes in Harry Potter, but I have to say, i was very impressed with the Quidditch robes. And the diversity of colours during scenes in Diagon Alley were great.

I always imagined Sirus, to have black, shredded "robes", to the ankles. A very dark and shady character.

I imagined Lupin to have a brown, long coat, with patches here and there. An untucked stripey shirt and "normal" pants heald by a cheap belt. I've always pictured him in brown.

I can't wait for the dress robes, with the frills and all. :D

[hippogryph]

I was impressed with the costume details.

Did you notice all of the buttons on smapes costume? He has lots of little buttons going down his arm . I imagine it takes him a bit of time to dress with all that on. It helps to show how particular and detail oriented Snape is. You know that he must be detail oriented because he is the potions master. Potions require keeping lots of little details straight.

I imagine that Lupin's clothes will all be in neutral shades of brown, but they will be nice fabrics that look very worn. His stuff will have a color undertone that implys that they have seen better and livelier days. Lupin has a fairly nice personality, and I expect to see undertones in purple, blue or yellow with an overall brown motif.

[SnowyOwl]

I have to say that Professor Sprout's costume cracks me up. She looks like she could have risen from a forest floor--dried peat moss and all.

I too really like the Quidditch costumes, and can't wait for the Yule Ball.

I wonder what the Veela will wear at the QWC?

[Cat]

I noticed that a lot of fan artists draw Professor Lupin clothes that, while adaquately shabby, never look right to me. It's because a lot of people dress him like a beggar.

I imagine him to have more of a 'poor church mouse' thing going on . You see, he's neat in his mannerisms and I think he'd make something of an effort even if he was down to rags. It's not pride, but politeness. So where some people say there should be rips, I'd say there was stitching :D.

[periwinkle-blue]

Originally posted by go_anna40 (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=269500#post269500))
Well, I really enjoyed the costumes in Harry Potter, but I have to say, i was very impressed with the Quidditch robes. And the diversity of colours during scenes in Diagon Alley were great.


I agree with Anna, and SnowyOwl. When I first went to see PS/SS, I've never read any of the HP series. The costumes impressed me, but not that much. But after reading the books, and seeing the movies again, I'd say the Quidditch robes and attires are magnificently done, even surpassing the brief imagination I've had pictured them during my read.

For Cat's questions, I can't think of what's the best robes/clothing designs for both Sirius or Lupin, or for other new cast members, because I'm not very imaginative in that sense :smile:

[dumbleedore]

Originally posted by SnowyOwl (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=269624#post269624))
I too really like the Quidditch costumes


I *love* the Quidditch robes! I think they should be the regular uniform, to be quite honest!

[Meliara]

I love Lucius Malfoy's costume with his staff and everything, the hair bow was just funny but the rest was really good.

I want to see what Fleur wears that'll be awsome! Also the Quidditch World Cup costumes!

[Filius Flitwick]

Any speculation on what Pettigrew will be wearing? After all, he has spent a dozen years living as a rat and as far as I can tell he never turned back into his human form during that time. If you think about it, his robes haven't been washed in long time(unless when Scabbers is washed then his robes somehow get washed at the same time).

I'm expecting a really dirty little rat of a wizard.

[periwinkle-blue]

Well, somehow I don't see Peter wearing a robe when he changed into his human form, only a pair of dusty long pants on. He did had to make sure some of his clothes burnt and left behind for the officials to find when Sirius 'blasted' him, right?

[Fuchsia]

I imagine Peter will be wearing nothing but a grimace.

[MadMagic]

I certainly hope he has something more than a grimace on.:p

I guess I am not overly imaginative when I read books, because quite honestly I have no idea what I expect Sirius and Lupin to be wearing. On scene I was always dissapointed about not seeing in the movie is the first scene in SS, when Vernon sees all the Wizards in their robes. That scene is one that I had a clear image of what the wizards would look like in their cool robes walking around in the muggle world.

[Fuchsia]

Well, there might be some dirt covering up er areas. Or he'll be really hairy.

Me too for picturing the wizards Vernon saw.

I do see Lupin's robes quite clearly but for Sirius all I see are his eyes. Crazy and Vincent Gallo-ish.

[Puffskein]

In GOF Sirius is wearing "ragged grey robes, the same ones he wore when he escaped from Azkaban." It's interesting that in the films, people tend to wear Muggle-ish clothes under their robes (to discourage accusations of Satanism??) but in the books most wizards clearly don't have a clue about what Muggles wear.

[Sredni Vashtar]

I envisioned Lupin as a sort of Baldrick character - tattered, out of date/style, and dull colors - like they had been resplendent in an earlier age, but went through the wash a few too many times. There would be pattern on the robes, perhaps stars and moons (remember, he's wearing out of date clothing) that are faded and worn off in spots, but still have a bit of their original sheen. I also imagined him wearing a very faded dark blue or purple.

I may have been reading far too many Discworld books, but I also imagined his hat as a tattered, bent, widebrimmed, frayed, poor-excuse-for-a-wizard-hat kind of thing perched precariously on his head, maybe even with the word "Wizzard" embroidered clumsily across the brim (ala Disneyland Mickey Mouse ear hats where you can get your name sewn on in that icky yellow thread).

He also has leather patches on his elbows because he's just been made a professor, and all professors have patches on their elbows. It would just look pathetic and ludicrous, yet he can pull it off.

[Loz]

I love the costumes, and I also think that costuming the children to wear 'normal' clothes is a good idea.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

I may have been reading far too many Discworld books, but I also imagined his hat as a tattered, bent, widebrimmed, frayed, poor-excuse-for-a-wizard-hat kind of thing perched precariously on his head, maybe even with the word "Wizzard" embroidered clumsily across the brim (ala Disneyland Mickey Mouse ear hats where you can get your name sewn on in that icky yellow thread).

:lol: That reminds me of a picture in The Last Hero where Vetinari's questioning Rincewind. It's particularly funny because Vetinari looks terrifyingly like Snape with a beard.

I always saw both Sirius and Peter as having robes so ancient, dirty, and tattered that you couldn't even begin to guess at their original condition.

I like Cat's "poor church mouse" conception of Lupin, but given the hands-on nature of his classes, I imagine he doesn't let it worry him too much if the put together look doesn't last. Still, it'd be really cool to have Harry walk in on him repairing a sleeve or something.

But the costume I really can't wait to see is Ron's dress robes. :evil:

[Morgan LeFay]

I can't wait to see all dress robes. Will they do it as robes, or more like dresses?

I don't mind kids having "normal clothes" - I think it's good idea.

And I would like to see robes from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. They're different from Hogwart's ones.

[Muggle Tiff]

Great thread! :) (No pun intended!!) I love costuming...I've always been one to go all-out at Halloween. I'm just getting started working on a HP costume. My friends and I plan on going to the opening of POA in costume. However, we decided we wanted to wear the 'new' uniforms for the new movie. I was wondering what everyone else thought about the change. If you haven't seen the pictures, look here: http://www.digicasey.com/FirstLookPOA.html

It seems like everything that was grey (pants/skirts/sweaters/socks) is now black. I like the lining in the robes, although I'm not sure what color Hufflepuff's lining is. The tie is kind of cool. I'm having a terrible time tracking those down online. I'm sure they will be more available closer to when the movie comes out.

My favorite costume from the movies is definitely Quidditch robes; I have just bought fabric to start making one. However I've heard that there may not be any Quidditch scenes at all in POA (gasp! How can they not show Gryffindor winning the cup!?) That would make sense though since Oliver isn't in the movie (grrr!) or Cho. Don't you think it will be weird for non-readers seeing GoF that Harry suddenly has this big crush on a girl they've never seen before?

I am most looking forward to Yule Ball robes, as well. I remember vividly walking around my kitchen as I got to that part of the book and thinking, "I can't wait to see these in the movie!" :)

[hawk1245]

I love the detail in some of the costumes. Did you notice how old and worn Ron's robes (especially in CoS) looked in comparioson to the other students? Brilliant! Also, many costumes have latin inscribed onto them. Many of the cups have the Hogwarts moto 'Draco Dormiens Nunquem Titlandus (Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon) on the side of them. Dumbldores great hall costume (from the first two) has a few letters on its hat that I cannot make out. There is a j and a k, a possible reference to JK rowling?

[hawk1245]

Rest assured, there is going to be quidditch in PoA. It is going to focus on Harry tehw hole time. Its going to be in the rain, while he is pursued through the air by dementor, and eventually falls off his broom. Changed from the book, but it should be cool. Oliver Wood will sorta be there, just a CGI one in the backround. So once its on DVD zoom in to see him, he he. No word on who they will be playing, it was Hufflepuff in the book, but it may be Slytheirin in this one.

[Muggle Tiff]

I just wanted to post an update for those interested in making/buying HP costumes. I just posted a long list of links and references on another board, but I don't want to double post all the info, so here's a link to it:

HP Costuming (http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?p=892253#post892253)