Clothes Make the Character: The Role of Wardrobe in Early Motion Pictures

The clothes make the man" (or woman). This is especially true in early Hollywood silent films where a character's appearance could show an immense number of different things about the characters. For example, Theda Bara's role in A Fool There Was (1915) was known for her revealing clothing, seductive appearance, and being the first "Vamp." In these films, wardrobe and costume design played a larger role in the film than that of modern movies. The character's clothes told the audience who they were and what their role was in the movie. In this in-depth analysis of the use of clothing in character design, the author provides examples and explanations about noteworthy characters who used their appearance to further their fame in early Hollywood films.