The Mannequin: Post #69: Fashion on Film

Most stories have their archetypal characters. There's the villain, the hero, the damsel in distress...etcetera, etcetera. However, when you narrow things down to various trends and styles, you end up with labels like "prep," "goth," "hipster," and more. So, after looking at all of the Harry Potter films, I thought I would give out a few "archetypal" awards to our cast of characters.

Most Fashionable

Rita Skeeter and Gilderoy Lockhart

With Ms. Skeeter's gossipy agenda, tailored silhouettes, and sexy librarian glasses, there is no denying that she trumps almost all other Potter characters when it comes to caring about her looks. Silks (such as the one seen on the left) and elaborate leather details (see right panel) add just the right touch of chic to her witchy apparel.

At the same time, Ms. Skeeter may have met her opposite sex match in the form of Gilderoy Lockhart. Rocking even lavender robes and waistcoats, he always looks quite dashing. And rightly so, seeing as how most of the female wizarding world is in love with him. Just imagine the size of his wardrobe!

Picture From: http://style.mtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/rita-skeeter.jpg

Picture From: http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/3/36/Gilderoy_Lockhart_002.JPG

Picture From: http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/6/66/LockhartCos.PNG

Picture From: http://www.branaghcompendium.com/lockhart_and_portrait.jpg

The Girly Girl

Lavender Brown

With her affinity for pink headbands and pet-names for her "sweetheart" (Ron Weasley), Miss Brown is definitely the archetypal girly girl of Harry Potter.

Picture From: http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/5/57/LavenderBrown.jpg

Picture From: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVS5nQ0L5_Wxg0icIvOitgncpjoSm9lRLlHHTU8kqKo0wXjpR1tBPNx_c7xuHQfjJO56-UGsxyeEFBznG8ArCTuP_GT7OdKtXB2Wm1dKt7Or_M0mbJXcFQrvJmXK1zgmiZoPSvO4oB2lg/s1600/lb.jpg

The Fairy Princess

Fleur Delacour

From her perfect Parisian-esque blue Beauxbatons uniform to her outfit at the beginning of Deathly Hallows: Part 2 to her wedding dress, Fleur floats through the fashion world like the perfect fairy princess. Many have compared the gown to a dress from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2008 collection. The major differences between the two are the length and top of the bodice. McQueen's dress involved two peacocks facing each other while Fleur's involved two phoenix heads that rose above the top of the bodice. Nevertheless, this is the perfect wedding dress for the wizard world.

Picture From: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rvUb9E-lnL4/TOaYIyCfopI/AAAAAAAACyg/ityc5LMAmrk/s640/fleur.jpg

The Goths

The Death Eaters

The "goth" look is best wornby Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, Snape, and Bellatrix Lestrange. Lucius and Snape in their long black robes (combined with their pale skin and long hair) show a very muted side of the goth look. Here Lucius' cane and silver buttons add just the right creepy touch. Narcissa does the same, but in the form of long gowns with fitted bodices. Meanwhile, Bellatrix Lestrange puts her own BDSM spin on things with corsets, leather, and cut-outs.

Picture From: http://images.wikia.com/harrypotter/images/c/cf/Lucius_malfoy.jpg

Picture From: http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/1300000/another-bellaphoto-bellatrix-lestrange-1355233-399-299.jpg

The Hippie

Xenophilius Lovegood

The vests, the patterns, the fit of the clothing, and the color palette all fit into the category of flower power. And while we're at it, let's add Professor Trelawney with her headscarves and necklaces to this category.