15 Hidden Costume Details in Movies and Shows You Probably Never Noticed

In films and TV series, costumes often reveal more about characters — or even hint at plot twists — than their actions alone. Yet these details rarely give themselves away right away. As the story unfolds, we may overlook what the characters are wearing. That’s why revisiting a favorite movie with fresh eyes can be so rewarding, allowing you to catch subtle costume details you might have missed the first time.

1. Django Unchained

Django Unchained is filled with nods to classic films that Quentin Tarantino admires. However, one particular reference may serve as a major spoiler for those familiar with Sergio Corbucci’s 1968 western The Mercenary.

Viewers should pay close attention to the character wearing a white carnation. In Django Unchained, that role belongs to Calvin Candie, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio. In both films, the characters meet the same fate: they are shot in the chest, and the once-white flower is stained red.

Interestingly, Corbucci was also the director of the original 1966 Django.

2. Twilight

Although Stephenie Meyer, the writer of Twilight, didn’t mention much about the Cullen family crest, the filmmakers decided to include it in the characters’ looks. They added some accessories like leather bracelets for Emmett, Jasper, and Edward on their right hands, a big pendant for Rosalie, a necklace for Alice, a silver ring with an engraving for Carlisle on his left hand, and a silver bracelet for Esme. These items show how important family is to the Cullens.

3. The Addams Family

Costume designer Ruth Myers had a vision for the Addams family to exude aristocratic elegance. To achieve this, the family matriarch adhered to a routine of changing outfits three times a day. Starting with a simple dress in the morning, she’d transition to something more exotic during the day, culminating in her most extravagant attire by evening. As night fell, she’d be adorned with lace and black jewels, epitomizing the family’s refined and sophisticated style.

4. (500) Days of Summer

At the outset of the film, snippets from Tom’s and Summer’s childhoods establish a strong connection: Tom’s scenes are tinged with brown hues, while Summer’s are characterized by blue tones. As Summer enters Tom’s life, blue becomes a prominent color in his surroundings. For instance, during a scene where he joyously dances amidst a sea of people clad in blue attire. This visual cue signifies Tom’s preoccupation with thoughts of Summer and his burgeoning feelings of love.

5. Aladdin

In the latest movie rendition, Princess Jasmine’s wardrobe is a colorful reflection of her character. Her signature bright turquoise ensemble, now adorned with intricate beadwork, remains iconic. Her veil features a striking peacock design, serving as a metaphor for her desire for freedom and independence, much like the peacock trapped in the royal garden.

Moreover, Jasmine’s attire distinguishes her from the other characters, particularly her vibrant pink outfit, which pays homage to her Southern Asian heritage. Despite the introduction of numerous new outfits, costume designer Michael Wilkinson ensured that Jasmine’s classic turquoise look remained a staple, preserving the familiarity that audiences associate with the beloved character.

6. Knives Out

Ransom is portrayed as a wealthy and pampered individual who neglects his appearance. His clothing reflects this disregard, with his beige sweater bearing holes and showing signs of wear and tear on the collar and cuffs. This unkempt attire serves as a clear indicator of Ransom’s lack of respect for both money and the people who provide it to him, which is his family.

7. Pride & Prejudice

Historical dramas like Pride & Prejudice often rely on subtle details due to societal constraints that inhibit open declarations of love or passion during that period.

Costume designer Jacquelina Durran ingeniously captures Mr. Darcy’s evolution by having him shed layers of clothing as the movie unfolds. This subtle visual cue, combined with the softening of materials, reflects Mr. Darcy’s journey toward openness and humility. It’s a clever representation of his shift from rigidity to adaptability

8. Birds of Prey

In Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn’s outfit mirrors Joker’s, while in Birds of Prey, it reflects her character’s growth. Costume designer Erin Benach ensures Harley has freer movement on the battlefield by opting for looser attire. Gone are the skimpy shorts from Suicide Squad, replaced by a more comfortable ensemble in Birds of Prey. Beyond mere comfort, this wardrobe change symbolizes Harley’s liberation from her abusive lover. It represents her newfound independence and ability to make choices, including her clothing, without the influence of a romantic partner.

9. Poor Things

The costume team’s primary goal was to create a world that feels rooted in both the past and the future. Elements like puffy sleeves and jabots nod to Victorian fashion, yet their proportions are exaggerated to the point of grotesque.

The costume designer explains that physical experience is central to the film, which is why Bella’s clothing draws inspiration from the organic world. As the designer puts it, “I wanted all of the fabrics or a lot of the fabrics to evoke ideas about the body. So like the textures and the sort of tissue-y textures of the sorts of textures you get in a human body. And for me, that is cellulite.”

10. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

To highlight the special bond between Sophie and Donna, costume designer Michele Clapton cleverly incorporates the butterfly symbol. During her childhood, Donna wore a butterfly-shaped pendant, and Sophie honors her mother’s memory by wearing a dress adorned with butterflies to the church. This subtle detail reveals the heartfelt connection between mother and daughter.

11. The Help

In The Help, the servants are confined to dull uniforms throughout the workweek, deprived even of wearing earrings. In the eyes of their masters, they are indistinguishable. However, during weekends or special occasions like church, they shed these uniforms, revealing their true selves.

12. Little Women

Throughout the film, Laurie and Jo consistently wear matching vests, symbolizing their deep bond and special connection.

Additionally, costume designer Jacqueline Durran, along with actress Saoirse Ronan, crafted a unique outfit for Jo. Whenever she is immersed in her writing, Jo dons a green jacket, symbolizing her decisiveness and indomitable spirit.

13. Titanic

Costume designer Deborah Lynn Scott had a specific vision for the colors of the main character’s dresses to reveal more about Rose’s personality: at her core, she was a woman of strength and determination. The bold red dress, adorned with black lace, symbolized her resilience within the confines of societal norms. Interestingly, Rose wears the same dress both at the beginning and the end of the film, albeit in different colors.

In the final scene, Rose dons the same dress, now in white. While the design remains unchanged from the one she wore when she first met Jack, the color shift signifies the absence of barriers to their love.

14. The Grand Budapest Hotel

Madame Céline Villeneuve Desgoffe und Taxis’s wardrobe is a purposeful blend of various historical eras. Her ensemble features a red coat and hat reminiscent of the 1920s, a dress harkening back to the 1930s, and a hairstyle reminiscent of La Belle Époque. This eclectic mix of styles suggests that Madame D. is unable to escape her past and hints at a touch of eccentricity or instability in her character.

15. Bridgerton

In Season 3, costume designer John Glaser reimagined Penelope’s empire waistline, lowering it into a sleeker, more contoured silhouette. As the season unfolds, her wardrobe shifts into a softer palette of Bridgerton blues, seafoam greens, and lilacs — carefully chosen to feel both romantic and purposeful.

Her hair is accented with delicate floral clips, crafted by the in-house milliners and scattered through her waves to appear both dynamic and mysterious. Meanwhile, Penelope’s assortment of gossamer-light gloves — in varying lengths and perfectly coordinated shades — serves as a subtle signal of the passion ahead. “We’ve tried to make her sexier and show more skin,” says Glaser. “Even her short gloves are just hints of that.”

Be sure to check out our other article, where we reimagined celebrities with completely new styles — and the results are absolutely jaw-dropping.