13 Sneaky Costume Mistakes That Slipped Into Our Favorite Movies and Shows

Even though most movies employ teams of specialists responsible for shaping each character’s look, mistakes still happen. As a result, sharp-eyed viewers can spot occasional inconsistencies in makeup, hairstyles, or costumes worn by the actors.

The Other Boleyn Girl — Anne’s uncovered hair

The 2008 historical drama features Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. In the film, however, her character often appears with her long hair uncovered — a significant historical inaccuracy. While it looks elegant on screen, women in the 1500s were not expected to show their hair in public. At the time, ladies wore caps or headdresses specifically designed to conceal their hair as a sign of modesty and decorum.

The Great Gatsby — Daisy’s dress

The fans of this movie noticed one mistake: the dresses worn by Daisy look too modern. The silhouette of that time was looser, the neckline was square, and the back cutout was much deeper.

Dirty Dancing — Baby’s shorts

The denim shorts that Baby was wearing were very fashionable, but only in the late 70s. Attentive audiences know that the movie depicts the 1960s era.

Death on the Nile — the main character’s necklace

The gemstone in Gal Gadot’s necklace is real and is one of the largest and most expensive diamonds in the world. It was found in 1877, but was not inserted into the necklace until 1957. However, the action of the movie takes place in 1937.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — microphones on the actors’ backs

You can see strange protrusions on the characters’ backs — these are microphone batteries. Of course, loyal fans noticed the mistake.

Pride & Prejudice — Keira Knightley’s character’s boots

Perhaps the creators of the movie Pride & Prejudice thought that everything was thought out to the last detail, but the most loyal fans noted that the boots of the main female characters simply couldn’t exist in the times described in the movie. Rubber boots came into fashion only a few decades later.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button — Ray Ban sunglasses

Fans of the movie noted the mistake of the costume designers: in one of the episodes, Brad Pitt’s character appears on a motorbike wearing Ray Ban 3025 Aviator glasses. According to the plot, the action in this episode unfolds in 1945. However, this model of glasses didn’t appear until 1952.

Bridgerton — Penelope’s gloves

Bridgerton is visually stunning, overflowing with lavish costumes and intricate wardrobe details. However, despite the creators’ strong focus on design, there are a few historical inaccuracies. One notable example is the gloves — they fit unusually tight and appear to be made from spandex, a material that wasn’t invented until 1958. In reality, gloves of that era would have been crafted from cotton or leather and extended much farther up the arm, unlike the shorter versions seen on characters like Penelope.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire — Hermione’s dress at the ball

Fans of the book series noticed that Hermione’s dress in the movie was pink. But in the original story, it was described as blue.

Legends of the Fall — Tristan’s looks

It’s hard not to notice that Pitt’s character looks not exactly in the style of the film’s era — the early 1900s. Tristan’s hairstyle and unshaven appearance remind the audience more of the style of the 60s.

Little Women — the clothes of the heroines

Fans of Louisa May Alcott’s work, of course, know that the family lived poorly. And despite the fact that the movie conveyed the characters quite correctly, the audience found it strange that the heroines of the movie could often change their outfits which were quite expensive at that time.

Gone with the Wind — Scarlett’s outfits

Trying to show Scarlett’s beauty through dresses, the costume artists were “ahead of their time.” Everyone knows that the movie describes the events of the 1860s, and dresses like this appeared only in the 1930s.

Titanic — Rose’s corset

The costumes in Titanic are famed for their historical accuracy in fabrics, colors, and details, though the filmmakers intentionally took some creative liberties for cinematic effect.

A clear example is the scene where Rose’s mother tightens her corset. By 1912, corsets were already softer and more comfortable, but the film shows a rigid, old-fashioned version — a deliberate choice to heighten drama and symbolize the clash between strict Victorian values and the new spirit of freedom.

In reality, corsets of that era were longer and shaped a “pigeon-breasted” silhouette rather than lifting the bust. The designers chose a more recognizable “Victorian” look, sacrificing full accuracy for a visually striking and emotionally powerful image.

Be sure to check out our other article featuring fascinating hidden details in iconic movies and shows you probably missed.