The movie ‘Mudbound (2017)’ is a cinematic gem that brings into focus the harsh realities of rural life in the post-World War II era. As a fashion blogger and movie buff, I was immediately drawn to the distinctive style and aesthetic of the characters. The movie’s aesthetic is a visual feast of rustic charm and vintage elegance, capturing the essence of the 1940s era. The costumes, designed meticulously by Michael T. Boyd, not only enhance the character’s personalities, but also serve as a window into their lives and societal roles.
From the sturdy workwear of Hap Jackson to the modest elegance of Laura McAllan, each character’s wardrobe is a reflection of their personality and the world they inhabit. The clothing plays a crucial role in storytelling, revealing the socio-economic disparities and racial tensions inherent in the narrative. The muted earthy tones, rugged fabrics, and practical designs capture the raw and gritty reality of life in the Mississippi Delta.
It’s not just the story that has captivated audiences worldwide, but also the authentic style that has inspired fashion enthusiasts to recreate the ‘Mudbound’ aesthetic. In this blog post, we will embark on a character analysis and style breakdown, providing a detailed overview of the ‘Mudbound (2017)’ aesthetic. We will explore how to dress like each character, detailing the key elements of their outfits, and offering shopping tips to help you achieve the look.
Character Analysis and Style Breakdown: An Overview
- Carey Mulligan as Laura McAllan: Her style is characterized by modest dresses, floral prints, and soft pastel hues. Laura’s wardrobe is a reflection of her vulnerability and the societal expectations of a woman in her time.
- Jason Clarke as Henry McAllan: Henry’s style is practical and straightforward, consisting of sturdy work shirts, trousers, and suspenders. His clothes reflect his stoic personality and the hardworking nature of a farmer.
- Mary J. Blige as Florence Jackson: Florence’s style is utilitarian yet dignified, featuring simple dresses, head wraps, and aprons. Her outfits encapsulate her resilience and the harsh realities of her life.
- Rob Morgan as Hap Jackson: Hap’s wardrobe consists of durable workwear, including denim overalls, checkered shirts, and work boots. His clothes symbolize the labor-intensive lifestyle of a sharecropper.
- Jason Mitchell as Ronsel Jackson: Ronsel’s style is a mix of military uniforms and casual wear, reflecting his experience as a war veteran and his struggle to adapt to civilian life.
- Garrett Hedlund as Jamie McAllan: Jamie’s outfits include military uniforms, leather jackets, and casual shirts. His style represents his rebellious spirit and his struggle with PTSD.
- Jonathan Banks as Pappy McAllan: Pappy’s wardrobe is traditional and conservative, featuring dark suits, vests, and hats. His clothes mirror his stern personality and his adherence to old-fashioned values.
In the following sections, we will delve into each character’s style in detail, providing outfit summaries and tips on where to buy similar items.
Carey Mulligan as Laura McAllan
Laura McAllan, portrayed by Carey Mulligan, embodies a feminine and subtle elegance. Her wardrobe is filled with pastel-colored dresses, floral prints, and modest cuts. The key elements of Laura’s style include:
- Midi Dresses: Laura is often seen in midi dresses in soft pastel hues. These dresses often feature floral prints, collared necklines, and puff sleeves.
- Cardigans: She pairs her dresses with classic cardigans, adding a layer of warmth and modesty.
- Ballet Flats: Laura’s footwear of choice is simple ballet flats, offering comfort and understated style.
- Pearl Accessories: To complete her look, Laura often wears delicate pearl earrings or necklaces.
To dress like Laura, opt for midi dresses in soft hues or floral prints. Pair it with a classic cardigan and ballet flats. For accessories, opt for delicate pearl earrings or a necklace. You can find these items at vintage or thrift stores, or even online retailers like Etsy or ModCloth.
Jason Clarke as Henry McAllan
Henry McAllan, portrayed by Jason Clarke, dons practical and durable clothing suitable for labor-intensive farming work. His style is simple and functional, with key elements including:
- Work Shirts: Henry’s wardrobe predominantly consists of sturdy work shirts, often in solid colors or checkered patterns.
- Trousers and Suspenders: He pairs his shirts with durable trousers and suspenders, reflecting his practical and hardworking nature.
- Work Boots: Henry is often seen in sturdy work boots, suitable for farming tasks.
- Newsboy Caps: To complete his look, Henry occasionally wears a newsboy cap, adding a touch of vintage charm.
To emulate Henry’s style, opt for sturdy work shirts in solid colors or checkered patterns. Pair them with durable trousers, suspenders, and work boots. For accessories, consider adding a newsboy cap. You can find these items at workwear stores, vintage shops, or online retailers like Amazon or ASOS.
Mary J. Blige as Florence Jackson
Florence Jackson, portrayed by Mary J. Blige, exudes strength and resilience. Her wardrobe consists of utilitarian clothing, reflecting the hardships of her life. The key elements of Florence’s style include:
- Simple Dresses: Florence’s wardrobe primarily includes simple, long dresses in muted tones.
- Head Wraps: She often wears head wraps, signifying her cultural roots and adding a distinctive element to her look.
- Aprons: As a domestic worker, Florence is often seen wearing aprons over her dresses.
- Comfortable Shoes: Florence’s footwear is practical, consisting of sturdy and comfortable shoes.
To achieve Florence’s look, opt for simple, long dresses in muted tones. Pair them with head wraps and aprons for an authentic 1940s look. For footwear, choose sturdy and comfortable shoes. You can find these items at thrift stores, vintage shops, or online retailers like Etsy or ASOS.
Rob Morgan as Hap Jackson
Hap Jackson, portrayed by Rob Morgan, embodies the life of a hardworking sharecropper. His wardrobe is rugged and practical, with key elements including:
- Denim Overalls: Hap’s wardrobe staple is durable denim overalls, suitable for labor-intensive work.
- Checkered Shirts: He often pairs his overalls with checkered shirts, adding a touch of pattern to his look.
- Work Boots: Hap wears sturdy work boots, reflecting his laborious lifestyle.
- Caps: To complete his look, Hap occasionally wears a cap, offering protection from the sun.
To replicate Hap’s style, opt for durable denim overalls and pair them with checkered shirts. For footwear, choose sturdy work boots. For accessories, add a cap for an authentic 1940s look. You can find these items at workwear stores, vintage shops, or online retailers like Amazon or ASOS.
Jason Mitchell as Ronsel Jackson
Ronsel Jackson, portrayed by Jason Mitchell, is a World War II veteran struggling to adapt to civilian life. His style is a mix of military uniforms and casual wear, with key elements including:
- Military Uniforms: Ronsel’s wardrobe includes his military uniforms, symbolizing his experience as a war veteran.
- Casual Shirts and Trousers: When not in uniform, Ronsel opts for casual shirts and trousers, reflecting his attempt to adapt to civilian life.
- Boots: Ronsel’s footwear consists of sturdy boots, suitable for both military and civilian life.
- Military Dog Tags: To complete his look, Ronsel often wears his military dog tags, a reminder of his past.
To get Ronsel’s style, opt for military-inspired clothing and pair it with casual shirts and trousers. For footwear, choose sturdy boots. For accessories, consider adding military dog tags. You can find these items at military surplus stores, vintage shops, or online retailers like Amazon or ASOS.
Garrett Hedlund as Jamie McAllan
Jamie McAllan, portrayed by Garrett Hedlund, is a war veteran dealing with PTSD. His style is rebellious and casual, with key elements including:
- Leather Jackets: Jamie’s wardrobe includes leather jackets, symbolizing his rebellious spirit.
- Casual Shirts and Trousers: He often pairs his jackets with casual shirts and trousers, reflecting his laid-back personality.
- Boots: Jamie’s footwear consists of sturdy boots, suitable for both military and civilian life.
- Pilot’s Scarf: To complete his look, Jamie often wears a pilot’s scarf, a nod to his past as a fighter pilot.
To imitate Jamie’s style, opt for leather jackets and pair them with casual shirts and trousers. For footwear, choose sturdy boots. For accessories, consider adding a pilot’s scarf for an authentic 1940s look. You can find these items at military surplus stores, leather shops, vintage shops, or online retailers like Amazon or ASOS.
Jonathan Banks as Pappy McAllan
Pappy McAllan, portrayed by Jonathan Banks, represents the old-fashioned values and racial prejudices of the era. His style is traditional and conservative, with key elements including:
- Dark Suits: Pappy’s wardrobe primarily consists of dark, conservative suits, reflecting his stern personality.
- Vests and Ties: He often pairs his suits with vests and ties, adding a formal touch to his look.
- Dress Shoes: Pappy’s footwear of choice is formal dress shoes, complementing his conservative style.
- Hats: To complete his look, Pappy often wears a hat, adding a touch of vintage charm.
To dress like Pappy, opt for dark, conservative suits and pair them with vests and ties. For footwear, choose formal dress shoes. For accessories, add a hat for an authentic 1940s look. You can find these items at suit shops, vintage stores, or online retailers like Amazon or ASOS.
Styling Tips for Different Occasions: From the ‘Mudbound (2017)’ Wardrobe
Now that we have broken down the style of each character, let’s explore how we can incorporate elements from the ‘Mudbound’ wardrobe into our outfits for different occasions:
- Casual Outings: If you’re heading out for a casual outing, channel your inner Jamie McAllan and opt for a casual shirt paired with trousers and a leather jacket. Complete your look with sturdy boots and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a pilot’s scarf.
- Workwear: For a workwear look, channel your inner Henry McAllan. Opt for a sturdy work shirt, durable trousers, and suspenders. Pair it with sturdy work boots, and add a newsboy cap for a vintage touch.
- Formal Events: If you’re attending a formal event, channel your inner Pappy McAllan. Opt for a dark, conservative suit paired with a vest and tie. Complete your look with formal dress shoes and a hat.
- Feminine Elegance: If you’re looking for a feminine and elegant look, channel your inner Laura McAllan. Opt for a pastel-colored midi dress and pair it with a classic cardigan. Complete your look with ballet flats and delicate pearl accessories.
Incorporating ‘Mudbound (2017)’ Aesthetic into Your Everyday Outfits
Incorporating the ‘Mudbound’ aesthetic into your everyday outfits is all about embracing the vintage charm and rustic appeal of the 1940s era. Here are some tips on how to include elements of the ‘Mudbound’ style in your daily outfits:
- Embrace Vintage Fabrics and Prints: Opt for clothing items made from vintage fabrics like wool, cotton, and denim. Look for patterns like florals, checks, and stripes, which were popular during the 1940s era.
- Choose Muted and Earthy Tones: The color palette of ‘Mudbound’ is dominated by muted and earthy tones. Incorporate colors like brown, beige, olive, and navy into your wardrobe.
- Opt for Classic Cuts and Silhouettes: The clothing in ‘Mudbound’ features classic cuts and silhouettes. Choose items like high-waisted trousers, midi dresses, and tailored suits.
- Accessorize Wisely: Complete your look with vintage-inspired accessories like head wraps, caps, and pearl jewelry.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Inner ‘Mudbound’ Style
The ‘Mudbound (2017)’ aesthetic is a timeless blend of vintage elegance and rustic charm. By breaking down the style of each character and offering shopping tips, we hope this guide will inspire you to embrace your inner ‘Mudbound’ style. Remember, fashion is a form of self-expression, so feel free to adapt these tips to suit your personal style and comfort.
We would love to see how you incorporate the ‘Mudbound’ aesthetic into your wardrobe. Share your unique style tips in the comments and revisit us for the latest updates on fashion advice and exclusive deals!
