Frock Flicks – Costume Movie Reviews

We're joined by dress historian Brenna Barks, who is an expert in Scottish 18th century costume. We discuss a bit about Scottish history, then delve into the costumes worn in episode four. Finally, we get a real properly accurate dress back, plus some futuristic aniline dye and a dinner party full of shiny.

There's lots to love in this episode. Claire rocks a beautiful gown and riding habit, secondary characters get frilly, and Jamie finally gets something shiny of his own. But, there are problems in Jamie and Claire's marriage.

We're not in Scotland anymore, Dorothy. Jamie and Claire have finally made it to Paris, and they're living the high Jacobite life in some gorgeous 1740s costumes... with a few quibbles. We discuss character costume decisions, The Red Dress, The Bar Suit, and all that mash-up of 1740s and 1940s. Along the way, we talk about nipple piercing, pubic hair depilation, oh and wigs and hair - as one does.

Outlander is back for season 2, and we're finally in France to see all the shiny! This episode actually spends half of its time in the 1940s, so we discuss those clothes and how Claire's 18th century wardrobe is used as a plot device. Then, we're finally back in 1740s France, where there's some lovely men's clothes and wigs, and some back-lacing women's dresses to analyze.

We take on the modern classic of 18th-century historical costume film, Dangerous Liaisons, starring the wickedly good Glenn Close as a marquise out for retribution and a disturbingly sexy John Malkovich as a vicomte who's happy to help in her amoral escapades. James Acheson won a well-deserved Best Costume Oscar for this film, even though he made these exquisite 18th-century costumes on a tight budget.

We discuss the costumes worn in the ninth episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Edith gets a wedding dress, Rose is back with New York style, and everything gets wrapped up with a big shiny bow.

We discuss the costumes worn in the eighth episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Mary screws over Edith and we are pissed. Meanwhile, we admire Mary, Rosamund, and Edith's wardrobes - minus Mary's wedding dress.

We discuss the costumes worn in the seventh episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Everyone is off to the races in smashing daywear and Edith makes some progress, but Mary and Henry hit a serious roadblock.

We discuss the costumes worn in the sixth episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Mary wears yet another stunning evening dress while Edith has her beat at daywear, both sisters make serious relationship progress, and we find out that the Crawleys know nothing about their house!

We discuss the costumes worn in the fifth episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Mary goes racing with Henry Talbot, Edith and Bertie finally kiss, and Robert spews blood all over Cora's fancy evening dress. Whoa!

We discuss the costumes worn in the fourth episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Gwen is back, the bling is ON, and Mary gets frumpy.

We discuss the costumes worn in the third episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Weddings! Fashion magazines! New love interests! Returning characters!

We discuss the costumes worn in the second episode of Downton Abbey's final season. EVERYONE has hat game, the Crawley ladies go artsy-craftsy, and Lady Mary wears the best dressing gown evah.

We discuss the costumes worn in the first episode of Downton Abbey's final season. Middle Eastern embroidery, subtle details on the servant wear, and some sparkly evening wear make for a strong start to Downton's last season.

We quizzed a live Costume College audience about movie and TV costume trivia for fun and trivial prizes. Games included Who's Trystan This Time, Bluff the Costumer, Not My Costume with special guest Lauren of American Duchess historical footwear, and the Costumer Limerick Challenge.

Catching this film soon after its U.S. release, we admired much about the story but found the costumes a little lacking in historical accuracy. Yep, designer Joan Bergin reused some things from The Tudors and let a little gaposis shine into A Little Chaos, but at least we still have determined proto-feminist Kate Winslet, brooding Belgian Matthias Schoenaerts, and not enough of the awesome Alan Rickman playing around in muddy Versailles to distract us.

The BBC (and Masterpiece PBS) brings back Ross Poldark and his lady-loves Elizabeth and Demelza in this reboot of the 1970's historical romance fave set in 18th-century Cornwall. While the costuming and hairstyles are a bit lackluster, Aidan Turner's broody manliness might just make up for the lack of historical accuracy.

Wolf Hall purports to tell the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn through Thomas Cromwell's eyes. Based on the award-winning book by Hilary Mantel, this miniseries portrays a sympathetic look at Cromwell and a new perspective of the history you have probably heard before. It's an incredibly well done production, with amazing costumes (OK, we have a very few quibbles) and sets. We rave about the costumes (and nitpick a few elements), and debate the story and production.

This fascinating story of a mixed-race aristocratic woman living in 18th-century England is highly entertaining, even if it's not totally faithful to the historical record. Our discussion ranges from the movie itself, to the representation of non-white ethnicities in history and in historical costume films. We also analyze the costumes themselves, which are highly accurate but about 20 years too early.

This stunning adaptation of the Henry James novel is 99.9 percent perfect, from the amazing costumes designed by Sandy Powell to Helena Bonham Carter's performance in the lead role. We gush about the costumes, analyze the characters, and nerd out on early 20th-century fashion designer Mariano Fortuny.

This version of Little Women gets it nearly perfect, from a script that stays close to the Louisa May Alcott book and beautifully accurate costumes designed by Colleen Atwood. We discuss costumes, characterizations, casting, and a little bit of Transcendentalism and feminist theory.

The adorable Robert Downey Jr. indulges in the sensuality of King Charles II's court but learns some Important Life Lessons, with the help of a surprisingly not annoying Meg Ryan. This flick has it all, from fabulous costumes to a great story, worth revisiting. Who knew?

Bram Stoker's Dracula is an over-the-top costume extravaganza. We discuss the background of the film and source novel, the Art Nouveau aspects of the design, the arch theatricality, and Keanu Reeves attempts to NOT be Ted "Theodore" Logan.

This adaptation of the popular historical fiction/time travel books gets a lot right, but controversy ensued when the costume designer posted online some so-called facts about 18th-century hygiene. We review the movie and the costumes and discuss the controversy -- and how they REALLY handled hygiene back in the day.

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Henry VIII and a whole bunch of bad rental costumes ... and it only goes downhill from there! This time we record our discussion AS we watch episode 1 -- the horror!

Power and intrigue at the Vatican during the Italian Renaissance. Listen as we geek out on shoes and eyeglasses, discuss historical body ideals, and bemoan the shy guys.

Fabulous 18th-century costumes plus bad casting makes 'The Affair of the Necklace' (2001) a contradictory endeavor. Listen as we analyze the costumes, praise Adrien Brody's towel, and ramble on about historical underwear.

Regency England gets an Indian flair in this adaption of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel. But this isn't just another Bollywood-ization -- the Indian themes are carefully woven into the story and visual effects. This could be the anti-Austen with nary a dull muslin gown in sight.

Instead of watching a movie, we quiz a live, studio audience about costume trivia! Tune into the gang at Costume-Con 26, where we boldly went where no historical cosutmers had podcasted before. NPR fans, frequent eBayers, and Showtime snarkers may get a giggle out of this episode.

Ah, the great clash of history versus historical fiction! A best-selling book that toys liberally with the facts of Henry VIII and the two Boleyn sisters gets blown up on the big screen. Is it even more historically inaccurate than the novel? Does it matter? You may be surprised at what we think...

Is the Virgin Queen really a virgin? Does it matter? And check out the pants on that studly dude who'll later be flying around in a police call box. Bollywood meets Shakespeare in England's first golden age.

A metaphor of 1980s consumer consumption and post-punk isolation, plus hardcore costume porn. Remember, what happens in Le Petit Trianon, stays in Le Petit Trianon.