The 2015 movie ‘Brooklyn’ is a feast for the eyes, not just for the cinematic grandeur, but also for the meticulous attention to detail in the costumes. The movie paints a vivid picture of the 1950s era through its costumes, offering a unique blend of Irish and American aesthetics. The ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic is marked by simple, elegant designs, muted colors, and a strong adherence to the fashion trends of the period. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane that captures the essence of the 1950s, offering a unique perspective on the fashion of the era.
The costumes in the movie are designed to enhance the characters’ personalities, adding depth and nuance to their roles. Each character has a distinct style that reflects their personal sensibilities, status, and the time they inhabit. From Eilis’s transition from demure Irish girl to confident New Yorker to Father Matt Glynn’s austere priestly garb, the costumes tell a story of their own, enriching the narrative with their visual appeal.
What makes the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic particularly captivating is its timeless appeal. The styles are vintage yet modern, classic yet trendy, offering a rich source of inspiration for contemporary fashion. It’s a testament to the enduring charm of the 1950s that the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic continues to influence modern fashion trends.
Overview of ‘Brooklyn (2015)’ Aesthetic
The aesthetic of ‘Brooklyn’ is marked by a strong sense of authenticity and realism. The costume design team went to great lengths to ensure that the clothes were historically accurate, sourcing vintage pieces from the era or recreating them from scratch. The result is a rich tapestry of 1950s fashion, from the understated elegance of Eilis’s day dresses to the flamboyant glamour of her evening gowns.
Here are some key elements that define the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic:
- Simplicity: The ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic is characterized by its simplicity. The clothes are without frills or unnecessary embellishments, reflecting the practical sensibilities of the era.
- Elegance: Despite their simplicity, the outfits exude a certain elegance, marked by clean lines, tailored fits, and thoughtful detailing.
- Muted Colors: The color palette is predominantly muted, with a lot of pastels, neutrals, and earthy tones.
- Historical Accuracy: The costumes are historically accurate, capturing the essence of the 1950s fashion.
- Character-Driven Design: Each character’s outfit is designed to reflect their personality and role in the story.
Saoirse Ronan as Eilis
Saoirse Ronan’s performance as Eilis in ‘Brooklyn’ is truly remarkable, and her costumes play a significant role in her character’s development.
Eilis’s style evolves throughout the movie, reflecting her journey from a shy Irish girl to a confident woman in New York. Her early outfits are simple and modest, in muted colors and conservative cuts, embodying the traditional Irish aesthetic. As she settles into her new life in Brooklyn, her style becomes more sophisticated and stylish, marked by chic dresses, bold colors, and glamorous accessories.
Here’s a breakdown of Eilis’s style evolution:
- Early Eilis: Her early outfits are modest and unassuming, in muted colors and conservative cuts. Her clothes reflect her humble beginnings and her traditional Irish upbringing.
- Eilis in Transition: As Eilis begins to adapt to her new life in Brooklyn, her style starts to change. She starts wearing more fashionable and contemporary outfits, experimenting with colors and patterns.
- New York Eilis: Once she fully settles into her New York life, Eilis’s style becomes more refined and glamorous. She starts wearing chic dresses, bold colors, and statement accessories, embodying the confident New Yorker she has become.
Detail the Key Elements of Eilis’s Outfit
Eilis’s outfits are a key element of her character development, reflecting her transition from a shy Irish girl to a confident woman in New York. Here are some key elements of her outfits:
- Dresses: Eilis’s wardrobe is dominated by dresses, from simple day dresses to glamorous evening gowns. Each dress is carefully chosen to reflect her mood, status, and the occasion.
- Colors: Eilis starts with muted colors like browns and grays, gradually incorporating brighter colors like blues and greens into her wardrobe as she becomes more confident and comfortable in her new surroundings.
- Accessories: Eilis’s accessories – hats, gloves, handbags, and jewelry – add a touch of glamour and sophistication to her outfits. They reflect her growing fashion sense and her adoption of the New York aesthetic.
- Shoes: Eilis’s shoes are practical yet fashionable, ranging from sensible loafers for day wear to elegant heels for special occasions.
- Coats: Eilis’s coats are a key element of her outfits, offering a glimpse into her evolving style. They range from simple woolen coats in Ireland to stylish fur-trimmed coats in New York.
Hugh Gormley as Priest (Father Matt Glynn)
Father Matt Glynn, played by Hugh Gormley, is a key character in ‘Brooklyn’, providing moral guidance and support to Eilis. His outfits are simple and unassuming, reflecting his humble lifestyle and commitment to his vocation.
Father Matt’s style is marked by simplicity and austerity. His wardrobe is dominated by his priestly garb – a simple black cassock with a white collar. His outfits are without frills or adornments, in line with the priestly code of simplicity and modesty. Despite their simplicity, his outfits command respect and authority, reflecting his status as a priest.
Here’s a breakdown of Father Matt’s style:
- Priestly Robes: Father Matt’s priestly robes are simple yet dignified, reflecting his commitment to his vocation. His black cassock, paired with a white collar, is a classic representation of the priestly garb.
- Accessories: Father Matt’s accessories are minimal, in line with his simple lifestyle. His only accessory is a simple cross pendant, a symbol of his faith and devotion.
- Shoes: Father Matt’s shoes are practical and unadorned, reflecting his humble lifestyle.
Brid Brennan as Miss Kelly
Miss Kelly, played by Brid Brennan, is a complex character in ‘Brooklyn’, marked by her sharp wit and quick judgment. Her outfits reflect her stern personality and her status as a shop owner.
Miss Kelly’s style is marked by elegance and formality. She always dresses impeccably, in stylish dresses and chic accessories. Her outfits reflect her status as a shop owner and her desire to maintain a certain image.
Here’s a breakdown of Miss Kelly’s style:
- Dresses: Miss Kelly’s dresses are stylish and elegant, often in bold colors and chic designs. They reflect her confident personality and her status as a successful businesswoman.
- Accessories: Miss Kelly’s accessories are chic and fashionable, adding a touch of glamour to her outfits. They include stylish hats, elegant gloves, and statement jewelry.
- Shoes: Miss Kelly’s shoes are always stylish and fashionable, reflecting her keen fashion sense.
Maeve McGrath as Mary
Mary, played by Maeve McGrath, is Eilis’s older sister and a key influence on her. Her outfits reflect her practical sensibilities and her role as a mentor to Eilis.
Mary’s style is marked by simplicity and practicality. Her outfits are simple yet stylish, reflecting her practical sensibilities and her role as a mentor to Eilis.
Here’s a breakdown of Mary’s style:
- Dresses: Mary’s dresses are simple and modest, often in muted colors and conservative cuts. They reflect her practical sensibilities and her desire to present a respectable image.
- Accessories: Mary’s accessories are minimal and functional, reflecting her practical lifestyle. They include simple hats and gloves, and functional handbags.
- Shoes: Mary’s shoes are practical and comfortable, reflecting her no-nonsense approach to fashion.
Emma Lowe as Mrs Brady
Mrs Brady, played by Emma Lowe, is a minor character in ‘Brooklyn’, but her outfits reflect her status and personality. Her style is marked by elegance and sophistication, reflecting her status as a well-to-do woman.
Here’s a breakdown of Mrs Brady’s style:
- Dresses: Mrs Brady’s dresses are elegant and sophisticated, often in rich colors and luxurious fabrics. They reflect her status as a well-to-do woman.
- Accessories: Mrs Brady’s accessories are glamorous and chic, adding a touch of opulence to her outfits. They include luxurious hats, elegant gloves, and statement jewelry.
- Shoes: Mrs Brady’s shoes are always stylish and elegant, reflecting her refined taste in fashion.
Barbara Drennan as Shabby Woman
The Shabby Woman, played by Barbara Drennan, is a minor character in ‘Brooklyn’, but her outfits offer a glimpse into the hardships of the era. Her style is marked by simplicity and modesty, reflecting her difficult circumstances.
Here’s a breakdown of the Shabby Woman’s style:
- Dresses: The Shabby Woman’s dresses are simple and modest, often in dull colors and worn-out fabrics. They reflect her difficult circumstances and her struggle to make ends meet.
- Accessories: The Shabby Woman’s accessories are minimal and functional, reflecting her limited resources. They include simple hats and handkerchiefs.
- Shoes: The Shabby Woman’s shoes are worn and practical, reflecting her difficult lifestyle.
Gillian McCarthy as Timid Woman
The Timid Woman, played by Gillian McCarthy, is a minor character in ‘Brooklyn’, but her outfits reflect her personality and circumstances. Her style is marked by simplicity and modesty, reflecting her timid personality and her humble background.
Here’s a breakdown of the Timid Woman’s style:
- Dresses: The Timid Woman’s dresses are simple and modest, often in muted colors and conservative cuts. They reflect her timid personality and her humble background.
- Accessories: The Timid Woman’s accessories are minimal and functional, reflecting her simple lifestyle. They include simple hats and gloves.
- Shoes: The Timid Woman’s shoes are practical and comfortable, reflecting her modest lifestyle.
Styling Tips for Different Occasions Inspired by ‘Brooklyn’
The ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic offers a rich source of inspiration for contemporary fashion, with its timeless appeal and character-driven designs. Here are some styling tips for different occasions inspired by ‘Brooklyn’:
- Day Wear: For a casual day out, take inspiration from Eilis’s early outfits. Opt for a simple dress in a muted color, paired with practical shoes and minimal accessories.
- Work Wear: For work, take cues from Miss Kelly’s elegant style. Choose a stylish dress in a bold color, paired with chic accessories and fashionable shoes.
- Evening Wear: For a special occasion, take inspiration from Eilis’s New York style. Choose a glamorous evening gown in a bold color, paired with statement accessories and elegant heels.
- Winter Wear: For winter, take cues from Eilis’s chic coats. Choose a stylish coat in a rich color, paired with practical boots and chic accessories.
Get the Look: Summary of Outfits and Where to Buy Them
Want to recreate the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic? Here’s a summary of the key outfits from the movie and where you can buy similar pieces:
- Eilis’s Day Dress: Look for a simple, knee-length dress in a muted color. You can find similar dresses at vintage stores or online retailers like ModCloth or ASOS.
- Eilis’s Evening Gown: Look for a glamorous gown in a bold color, ideally with a vintage cut. You can find similar gowns at high-end retailers or vintage boutiques.
- Father Matt’s Priestly Robes: Look for a simple black cassock with a white collar. You can find similar garments at religious supply stores.
- Miss Kelly’s Stylish Dress: Look for a stylish dress in a bold color, ideally with a vintage cut. You can find similar dresses at high-end retailers or vintage boutiques.
- Mary’s Modest Dress: Look for a modest dress in a muted color, ideally with a conservative cut. You can find similar dresses at vintage stores or online retailers like ModCloth or ASOS.
- Mrs Brady’s Elegant Dress: Look for an elegant dress in a rich color, ideally in a luxurious fabric. You can find similar dresses at high-end retailers or vintage boutiques.
- Shabby Woman’s Modest Dress: Look for a simple dress in a dull color, ideally in a worn-out fabric. You can find similar dresses at thrift stores or vintage boutiques.
- Timid Woman’s Simple Dress: Look for a simple dress in a muted color, ideally with a conservative cut. You can find similar dresses at vintage stores or online retailers like ModCloth or ASOS.
How to Include ‘Brooklyn’ Elements in Daily Outfits
Incorporating elements of the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic into your daily outfits can add a touch of vintage charm to your look. Here are some tips on how to do it:
- Choose Simple Designs: The ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic is marked by its simplicity. Opt for clothes with simple designs, free of frills or unnecessary embellishments.
- Opt for Muted Colors: The color palette of ‘Brooklyn’ is predominantly muted. Choose clothes in pastels, neutrals, or earthy tones to recreate the aesthetic.
- Accessorize Wisely: The characters in ‘Brooklyn’ use accessories to enhance their outfits. Choose simple yet stylish accessories to add a touch of glamour to your outfits.
- Invest in Quality Pieces: The clothes in ‘Brooklyn’ are made from high-quality materials and are well-tailored. Invest in quality pieces that will last and look good for years to come.
- Embrace Vintage Trends: The ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic is deeply rooted in the 1950s fashion. Embrace vintage trends to recreate the aesthetic, whether it’s a polka-dotted dress, a classic trench coat, or a chic beret.
Conclusion: The Influence of ‘Brooklyn (2015)’ on Modern Fashion Trends
The ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic continues to influence modern fashion trends, with its timeless appeal and character-driven designs. The movie offers a unique perspective on the fashion of the 1950s, showcasing the simple elegance and muted colors of the era.
From Eilis’s chic dresses to Miss Kelly’s stylish outfits, the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic offers a rich source of inspiration for contemporary fashion. Whether you’re a fan of vintage fashion or just looking for some style inspiration, ‘Brooklyn’ has something for everyone.
So why not take a leaf out of ‘Brooklyn’s’ style book and incorporate some of its elements into your daily outfits? You might just find that the ‘Brooklyn’ aesthetic is the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern sophistication that you’ve been looking for.
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