Gothic, dream-like, anachronistic – the one-of-a-kind styling in the latest “Wuthering Heights” adaptation has taken the fashion industry by storm.
The film is set in the 19th century, yet the costumes shown don’t quite represent that period.
Costume designer Jacqueline Durran, said she wasn’t aiming for historical accuracy, but instead wanted to create whimsy, storybook costumes that fit each character.
The looks chosen for Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw, played by Margot Robbie, drew the most attention.
Throughout the exposition, Cathy and Heathcliff play a tedious game of cat and mouse, neither wanting to admit their tenderness for each other.
While Cathy chooses to yearn silently, her wardrobe says a thousand words.
In the beginning of the film, we see Cathy in modest textiles and various shades of deep red.
Red is often associated with allure, and passion – a fitting choice, given her corrupt love for Heathcliff.
Her hair is a yellowy-blonde color, styled down, in loose waves, with strands framing her face.
As for makeup, she wears a pale foundation, with minimal blush.
Later on, Cathy goes against her heart, and becomes engaged to Mr. Edgar Linton, a rich man who earned his fortune in textiles.
At the couple’s wedding, she is seen in the most popular look from the movie; her wedding dress.
The dress has a bouffant pearl-white skirt, a tight-fitting corset and billowy sleeves lined with flowers.
Her accessories include a glimmering forest-green tiara, and a long, billowy veil.
This look was a representation of Cathy’s tainted innocence and her newly appointed high status.
With marriage, comes a turning point in Cathy’s style.
The deep reds that she used to wear, now appear more bright, often accented with luxury-white tones.
Her dresses are flashy, opulent, with no expense spared.
As her husband is wealthy in fabrics, Cathy’s garments have many patterns, a contrast to the lack of material we see in the rising action.
Her hair is no longer a vivid yellow, but an ashy blonde.
It is no longer flowy and natural, but braided and curled, decorated with ribbons.
The signature face-framing hair strands are gone, instead pinned up.
It could be suggested that her distinguishing strands being tucked away is correlated to her emotions, as she tucks away her feelings for Heathcliff after becoming a wife.
Though, Cathy’s temptations can’t be ignored for long, as she and Heathcliff eventually begin an affair.
While her hair and attire don’t change during the fling, we see a change in Cathy’s makeup.
Initially, she is well groomed, and has bold eye choices; jewels, shimmer, and daring colors.
When she and Heathcliff begin sneaking around, she appears to be flushed and warm, with rosy cheeks and dewy skin.
Cathy’s foundation goes back and forth between the powdered-glamour she shows the public and the glossy face only Heathcliff sees.
In the end of the film, Cathy is stripped of her lavish costumes and decadent accessories.
Her face is deathly-white and powdered, with little grooming.
She hides behind no grand ball gowns and wears an unpresuming night robe.
Her hair is grimy and untouched.
Cathy looks as she did in the start.
Ordinary.
Free.
