The Style of Storytelling: Fashion in Wes Anderson’s Films

Wes Anderson doesn’t just direct films; he creates visual art pieces. From the symmetry in every shot to the pastel-drenched buildings and offbeat characters, his storytelling is visual poetry. However, one thing that’s constantly overlooked, and deserves a spotlight of its own, is the fashion throughout all his films. Whether it’s lobby boys in eggplant purple or journalists in perfectly worn tweed, the fashion in Anderson’s films is like a character itself - vibrant, vintage, and sharply tailored.

The magic behind the fashion wardrobes in several of Wes Anderson’s stylistic films comes from costume designer Milena Canonero, a longtime collaborator in the world of cinematic style. Canonero, a four-time Oscar winner, is known for turning costumes into visual storytelling, and in Wes Anderson’s worlds. Her work doesn’t just dress characters - it builds their personalities thread by thread, always rooted in period authenticity with a stylized Wes Anderson twist.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The first Wes Anderson film that comes to mind when I think about fashion is The Grand Budapest Hotel. When I first watched the film, I was instantly struck by a color palette that seemed to have been pulled straight from a pastry box or a painting. The costumes? Immaculate. Ralph Fiennes as M. Gustave wears a violet tailcoat that is eye-catching. And it doesn’t stop at the concierge. From the crisp bellhop uniforms to the fur-trimmed coats of the wealthy guests, every outfit seemed to have been designed with care.

One character that immediately caught my eye in The Grand Budapest Hotel was Jopling, one of the film's antagonists, played by Willem Dafoe. The man barely speaks, but his presence is loud, and fashion plays a significant role in that. His black trench coat stood out to me, which was a custom piece created by Prada. It’s tailored like a luxury hitman’s uniform, sleek, dark, and disturbingly elegant. The sharp lines, the way it hugged his frame, and the all-black styling made him look less like a thug and more like death in designer attire. In a film filled with vibrant pastels and ornate textures, Jopling’s jacket slices through every frame with cold precision. It’s the kind of look that sticks with you. Not just because of the fear it carries, but because it’s fashion that tells you exactly who this guy is the second he walks on screen.

 The French Dispatch

In The French Dispatch, Canonero shifted gears with ease. When watching the film, you’ll notice a distinct style, but the same obsessive attention to detail remains. The film is set in 1960s France, where the characters throughout the film are dressed like the chicest intellectuals ever to exist. While there are characters like J.K.L. Berensen, played by Tilda Swinton, whose style stands out with her flashy wardrobe, other characters, such as the editors, draw my attention through their clean and put-together fashion style, which is reminiscent of workwear. 

Color Palettes and Reflection of Wes Anderson’s Personal Style

The primary factor that makes the styles throughout the films visually appealing is the relationship and use of colors. Anderson’s artistic choice of color is iconic when setting up a scene. Every costume works within these palettes like a living painting. The tailoring is always precise. The style isn’t just on screen. It's in Wes himself. The guy is known for showing up to film sets in some of the most stylish attire I have laid my eyes on. When looking at Wes Anderson’s style, it’s easy to see how his personal aesthetic leaks into the wardrobes of his characters. It’s not costumes; it’s expressions, it’s intentional, and it’s deeply him.

Fashion as Storytelling

The fashion in Wes Anderson films isn’t just visually appealing; the clothes play a crucial role in building the narrative. The clothes his characters wear tell you exactly who they are, even before they speak. They’re bold, odd, and expressive. Anderson builds a world where everyone looks like they walked out of a vintage boutique on a different planet. And somehow, it works every single time. So, if you’re watching any Wes Anderson film for the plot, don't sleep on the fashion. Watch, take notes, and learn the art of style.