Wardrobe Fails That Ruined Our Favorite Films
Everyone knows that films, especially commercial movies, are quite expensive to produce. Thus, seeing any type of error in these productions can be quite surprising. Errors could be inaccurate historically or the result of an oversight during the editing stage. It oftentimes becomes a sort of game whereby some very loyal fans intentionally become more observant and look out for the mistakes. Poking fun at the members of the crew is rather easy, but let’s be real, we also didn’t catch these wardrobe fails the first time we saw it.
Legends of the Fall: Brad Pitt’s Blonde Hair Was Too Perfect
Brad Pitt was a gorgeous cowboy for this coming of age Western movie. He played the middle child in a family living in a Montana farm. His character Tristan Ludlow was wild but sensitive. With the story taking place in the early 1900s, many people have voiced their disapproval of the styling. Brad Pitt had a mane of blonde, wavy hair that many believe was reminiscent of 1960s hairstyle. Some additionally mentioned that the shave he had wouldn’t have been acceptable during that time.
Legends Of The Fall
Troy: Umbrellas Didn’t Exist Then
Orlando Bloom may have been adequately protected by a pink umbrella during the filming of Troy, but Bloom’s character Paris being in the shade is historically inaccurate. Let’s assume the Trojan War did actually happen. It was many years before umbrellas existed. The invention of the umbrella wasn’t until around 500 to 400 BCE. Thus all the Greek and Trojan warriors needed to face the strong heat without any protection from the sun’s rays.
Troy
Raiders of the Lost Ark: An Extra Is Actually Wearing Jeans
If people don’t look carefully, they might not see it. Everyone can catch a glimpse of an extra in a t-shirt and jeans in the background. Although the attire is acceptable these days, the movie is set in Egypt in the 1930’s, so the get-up is inappropriate at best.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Pride and Prejudice: Rubber Boots Didn’t Exist Then
The motion picture has gotten lots of acclaim for the beautiful imagery in it as well as the unparalleled love story of Mr. Darcy and Lizzy Bennett. However, the setting of Austen’s novel was during the Regency period. Keira Knightley shouldn’t have had rubber boots on. Why? Because Wellington boots would not be invented until about 40 years later.
Pride And Prejudice
Captain America (The First Avenger): Hair Needs To Be Up Here
Hayley Atwell was absolutely gorgeous in the first installment of Captain America, but the pin curls Peggy Carter had were inappropriate for the army. Although the curls are, in fact, accurate for the time period, it is still compulsory for women in service to wear their long hair up.
Captain America
Gladiator: Crowe’s Lycra Shorts Don’t Make Sense
The leather outfit Russell Crowe wore was, in itself, iconic. However, the spandex he had on under the leather? Not very much. The skin-hugging shorts were seen many times throughout the movie. In addition, it’s clear that it wasn’t common in ancient Rome. The fall of the empire was more than 1,500 years ago. On the other hand, Spandex was introduced in the year 1962.
Gladiator
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Nazi’s Shouldn’t Be Wearing Medals
This is another entry from Indiana Jones, specifically The Last Crusade. Many people have had laughs over this movie, whose story took place in the late ‘30s and just before the eruption of World War II. This is due to its questionable portrayal of Nazis. Although it is known that Nazis are keen on their war medals, the prerequisite to have one is having had fought in a war. Adorning oneself with medals and pins only became common at the end of the war.
The Last Crusade
The King’s Speech: Wrong Kilt
The best picture in the 2011 Oscars went to the film The King’s Speech, and it was certainly for good reason. Everyone was captivated by King George VI’s story, except maybe kilts experts. They noticed that the kilt design used in the movie is not only appropriate for 1997 but it is also Irish, as opposed to Scottish Balmoral.
The Kings Speech
Glory: A Digital Watch During the Civil War, Really?
This wardrobe mistake is just too obvious. A movie that supposedly took place during the civil war should not have a digital watch in it. After all, wristwatches would not be invented until the late 1800s, many years after the setting. Also, the kind of digital watch we know today did not come into fashion until the ‘70s.
Glory
Captain America (The First Avenger): The Headset Din’t Exist Yet
Captain America has another entry on the list. The film was great, but the earpiece Jim Morita sported seemed inappropriate, since the movie was set during World War II. After all, the design was just created at around the start of the millennia.
Captain America
Dirty Dancing: Baby’s Shorts Needed To Be A Skirt
The classic film may have had its release in 1987, but the story took place in 1963. Although most people might have found the movie convincing, observant viewers can see that the jean shorts Baby is wearing are not from story’s time period. Historically speaking, the shorts would come into fashion in the ‘80s. However, this small faux pas did not stop the film from making an impact on its audience – an impact that seems to be long-lasting. Who hasn’t tried copying the dance moves as well as felt love for the main couple?
Dirty Dancing
Public Enemies: A Robe That’s Too Advanced
Johnny Depp was celebrated as John Dillinger, the Prohibition-era gangster. In spite of this, it couldn’t make up for the historical inaccuracy in the movie. At the time, the judges wore robes that were much stiffer and heavier than the jackets people wear nowadays. This one needs people to look carefully. The jacket that Depp wears after taking it from Judge Murray has fibers that were much too light for what was common at the time.
Public Enemies
Almost Famous: The Black Sabbath T-shirt
The stereotypical teenage movie, who can forget this touching coming of age story? The film has a lot of charm as well as humor, but that doesn’t cover up the misplaced t-shirt with a Black Sabbath print. The film took place in 1973. However, the t-shirts weren’t produced until 1997. Oops!
Almost Famous
Pearl Harbor: Bare Legs Weren’t Appropriate
Many films on the list are period movies dealing with the Second World War. Pearl Harbor is one of them. Irrespective of the crew’s intent, the ‘40s were just too early for legs that were bare. During that time, many deemed it much too scandalous for women to wear skirts without stockings.
Pearl Harbor
Braveheart: Gibson’s Scottish Skirt Was Totally Premature
This one is also a classic. Who doesn’t know this critically-acclaimed film? The movie is set in Scotland during the medieval period. In spite of its iconic appearance, it wasn’t until the later part of the 1600’s when the tradition of donning kilts began.
Braveheart
Django Unchained: Sunglasses Didn’t Exist Yet
Tarantino exceeded expectations with this film. This revenge drama is set during the time of the Civil War. In spite of its popularity, it still has a lot of flaws. One of these flaws is the fact that the character Django wears sunglasses. The mass production of the round sunnies wasn’t until 1929. However, fans don’t appear as if they mind because the iconic specs experienced a comeback among the audience members.
Django
The Untouchables: Lapels Didn’t Exist Yet
The unrivaled gangster movie from the 1980s, The Untouchables, stays a masterpiece. Nevertheless, eagle-eyed audience members were able to spot something wrong with the suit that Costner wears playing Agent Ness. The piece of clothing had a lapel, something that would only be common a little later.
The Untouchables
The Other Boleyn Girl: Portman’s Hair Needs To Be Pulled Back
The main reason women wore a French hood in the Tudor period is for their heads to be covered up. The hair had to be pulled back as well as hidden underneath. Nevertheless, Scarlett Johansson’s and Natalie Portman’s hair can be seen in some scenes in the film, making the garment no more than a regular headband.
The Other Boleyn Girl
Saving Private Ryan: The Case Of The Black Boots
This is the movie which would define the standard for modern-day war films. Only people with no heart can claim the movie didn’t move them. In spite of this, the film still has flaws, one of which is quite evident. Matt Damon sports black boots throughout most of the movie. In real life, however, such boots weren’t worn until a decade later by the airborne.
Saving Private Ryan
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: Telescope Didn’t Exist Yet
In one of the scenes in the movie, Kevin Costner’s and Morgan Freeman’s characters can be seen using a telescope. This shouldn’t have been possible since the device was invented during the 15th century. The story of Robin Hood takes place in the 12th century. Thus, the introduction of the telescope was a few centuries too early.
Robin Hood
Catch Me If You Can: Braces Didn’t Exist Yet
This movie has a cast that is star-studded, a plot that is exciting, and Steven Spielberg as its director. In spite of all these things, the story of Frank Abagnale Jr. wasn’t told without an error. Take Amy Adams’s character as an example. She had braces on in spite of the movie being set in 1963. The orthodontic device was only introduced in the ‘70s.
Catch Me If You Can
The Tudors: Wearing Ruffs Is Scandalous
Many people would not be able to spot most errors in films set centuries ago. Despite this, some eagle-eyed viewers were able to spot a historical inaccuracy in this movie. It would be very inappropriate for women to don the ruffs without wearing an undershirt in the Tudor period. It may have been visually appealing, but it wouldn’t have been acceptable in court.
The Tudors
Good Night and Good Luck: Name Tags Equal Nope
These days, name tags could make it easy for people to identify military officers. However, this wasn’t always the case. The practice was only adopted in the late ‘60s, so the film may have overlooked this fact. Since the movie is set in the early ‘50s, the military officers ought not to have been wearing name tags.
Good Night And Good Luck
American Hustle: No Rolex Watches In The 70’s
The film’s fast-paced nature might not make it easy for people to spot errors. However, the more sharp-eyed viewers were able to catch a minor error. Louis C.K. should not have been sporting a shiny Rolex since the movie is set in the ‘70s.
American Hustle
Amadeus: Mozart’ Sippers Didn’t Exist Yet
The film gave us a glimpse of what life was like for Mozart in Austria back in the 18th century. Despite how beautiful the film was, it couldn’t cancel out the fact that there were visible zippers on the elaborate costumes. Actually, the costumes should not have zippers at all. The invention of the contraption wasn’t until over a century later.
Amadeus
The Color Purple: Clip-on Ties Didn’t Exist Yet
The movie is adapted from the Pulitzer-winning novel with the same name written by Alice Walker. The film earned critical acclaim in its own right. However, the wardrobe has an inconsistency. The clip-on tie that Danny Glover sported was inaccurate because it hadn’t yet been invented in the time period of the story.
The Color Purple
Gangs of New York: Firefighters Modern Uniforms Don’t Make Sense
The film’s big cast helps in masking certain mistakes. However, one error didn’t go unnoticed. Firemen in the film donned uniforms which were a bit too modern for the movie’s setting.
Gangs Of New York
Back to the Future: This Guitar Didn’t Exist Yet
This film is universally-acclaimed. Who didn’t have fun watching Marty McFly travel in time, meet his mother, and fall in love with her? In spite of the CGI being poorly-done, it has achieved the modern classic status. However, it seems the time travelling confused the crew as well. There was a scene set in 1955 where Marty plays a Gibson, but the model he used didn’t come out until 1958.
Back To The Future
Schindler’s List: Women Didn’t Shave Then
This movie would top all the best movies that have ever been made. The film won a lot of awards at the Oscars, but it didn’t get any for costume design. This might be due to a specific wardrobe error. There were questions on how female characters shaved their legs and armpits. Although this practice has become common in modern times, women in the concentration camps most likely didn’t have the luxury.
Schindlers List
Julius Caesar: Bullet Bras Didn’t Exist Yet
In the ‘50s, there was a fashion phenomenon that should be best forgotten – the bullet bra. During that time, the garment was ordinary for the ladies, but the fashion norms in ancient Rome were definitely different. Therefore, female characters in the movie Julius Caesar should not have been sporting them since the story was set around two millennia earlier.
Julius Caesar The Bullet Bras Were Not Invented Yet
My Girl: Mood-rings Didn’t Exist Yet
A lot of pre-teen hearts were broken by Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin in the film My Girl. The film features many iconic fashion pieces, Vada’s ring included. However, the film was set in the year 1972, while the ring was only introduced in 1975.
My Girl
Sense and Sensibility: The Baby’s Diaper
This is another Austen adaptation. Although there is nothing wrong with the existence of a diaper in Sense and Sensibility, the diaper’s material is rather too modern. During the Regency period, diapers were made of cloth.
Sense And Sensibility
Singin’ In the Rain: A Pink Dress? No Chance
The amazing Debbie Reynolds might not be with us anymore, but her memory lives on in the film Singin’ in the Rain. Reynolds was excellent at playing the character Kathy Selden. Nevertheless, it should be pointed out that her iconic pink dress wasn’t in fashion until the ‘50s.
Singin’ In The Rain
The Doors: Ray Ban Sunglasses Didn’t Exist Yet
The film tells Jim Morrison’s life story as well as the story of one of the ‘70s greatest rock bands. Val Kilmer portrayed the legend and icon in the film The Doors. He sported Ray-Ban sunglasses in the movie. Although the specs looked great, the truth is that they only came out in the ‘80s. Despite The Doors being avant-garde, that may be a bit too much.
The Doors
The Wedding Singer: Barrymore’s Haircut = 10 Years Later
Adam Sandler might be the king of romantic comedies and Drew Barrymore the queen, but even their films have some historical inaccuracies. We might have a special place in our hearts for The Wedding Singer, but it’s necessary to mention its wardrobe error. Although Drew Barrymore’s haircut suited her and she looked gorgeous in it, the style was more common in the ‘90s than in the ‘80s.
The Wedding Singer
Picnic at Hanging Rock: Again Hair Makes The List
Picnic at Hanging Rock depicts a haunting representation of girlhood in the early 20th century. Although the white dresses held an old-world charm, the hairstyles did not suit the setting of the movie. The middle-parted straight hair is more appropriate for modern times. The actresses having pinned up hair with face-framing tendrils would’ve been much more convincing.
Picnic At Hanging Rock
The Informant: Nike Golf Spikes Didn’t Exist Yet
It might have been effective as a product placement, but the Nike golf shoes were rather anachronistic. The movie is set in 1992, but the golf spikes were only released by the brand in 1996.
The Informant
The Last Samurai: Tom Cruise’s Armor Was Too Old
Tom Cruise played the lead role in this 2003 period drama which was set in Japan in the 1870’s. The Last Samurai was about a military officer who was hired to teach Japanese soldiers about modern warfare. In the film, Cruise dons an armor that might have had a long-lasting impression on viewers. However, in reality, the armor was 250 years too old for 1870’s Japan.
The Last Samuri
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Modern Sunglasses
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is one other movie which messes with how time works. Nevertheless, that is not an excuse for errors in wardrobe. Brad Pitt is seen sporting Ray-Ban specs in many scenes. Although they are stylish, they shouldn’t have existed in 1945 since they were introduced seven years later.
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Pirates of the Caribbean (The Curse of the Black Pearl): Redcoats – No Such Thing Then
This is not just an error in wardrobe. There shouldn’t be any Red Coats in the movie The Curse of the Black Pearl. The Royal Marines didn’t wear the uniforms during that time. It wasn’t until 1747 when the unit came into existence. This is two decades after the film’s setting.
Pirates Of The Caribbean The Curse Of The Black Pearl
Seabiscuit: Strapped Helmets Didn’t Exist Yet
Toby Maguire was a jockey in the movie and wore a strapped helmet which only became popular in 1956. The headgear made for an unforgettable sight, but it’s worth noting that the film was set in the period of the Great Depression.
Seabiscuit
The Ten Commandments: Nefertiri’s Dress Is Just Too Advanced
The 1956 epic religious film is still being regularly watched during Lent. There were a lot of artistic liberties made regarding the plot and there were several wardrobe historical inconsistencies as well. Anna Baxter donned a beautiful blue dress that would not have been possible to make during that time. Regardless, Baxter made Nefertiti look gorgeous in the outfit mentioned.
The Ten Commandments
Pretty Woman: Vivian’s Gown Changes Length
Even if you’re not the most observant in the room, you would definitely notice this one. Who can ever forget the kiss Edward and Vivian first shared? The moment, however, isn’t flawless. The scene starts with Vivian decked out in a nightgown which was quite long, but it magically turns into a shorter one at the end part of the scene.
Pretty Woman
The Notebook: Lon’s Changing Hair Color
The OTP are still Allie and Noah. However, before Noah, Allie was set to wed Lon. Although the horrible war wounds Lon had were healing, it looks as if there was something going on with his hair. Its color switches from brown to the color black many times throughout the film.
The Notebook
There Will Be Blood: Waffle Shoes Didn’t Exist Then
There Will Be Blood is about the a miner who became an oil magnate in the year 1892. However, in this rags-to-riches story, Day-Lewis is seen sporting waffle-soled boots which weren’t introduced until the ‘70s.
There Will Be Blood
Pompeii: No Purple Capes
Several characters in Pompeii can be seen wearing purple capes, but in actual fact, they would’ve been executed if they did it in ancient Rome. Why? The infamous emperor Nero set a decree that any person who wore the color apart from him would be executed.
Pompeii
Ben Hur: The Star of David
Jack Huston stars in Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ, a new adaptation of Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel. However, the protagonist wearing the Star of David was inaccurate. Maybe the symbol made an impact, but it is historically inaccurate. There has been evidence that shows the symbol wasn’t used until the 12th century.
Ben Hur
Unforgiven: Belt Loops
We’re letting it pass this time since this masterpiece of a film deserves a Western canon spot. Clint Eastwood stars in and directed this movie. In addition, Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman are also in the film, which was set in Wyoming in 1880. Thus, the fact that there were loops in Gene Hackman’s belt does not make sense. It completely surprised us since the loops would only become common in the Roaring Twenties.
Unforgiven
Quadrophenia: Band Didn’t Exist Then
The film generally follows the 1960s rivalry between British mods and rockers. Why did it make the list? One person was sporting a Motorhead t-shirt even if the band was formed in 1975. Interestingly, the film was made in the same year. You would think the filmmakers would have been more careful because music is an important aspect of the story.
Quadrophenia
The Great Escape: Trendy Clothes
Even Steve McQueen was not immune to wardrobe fails. The movie tells the story of how prisoners of war escaped Germany in World War II. Nevertheless, it might as well have been set in the 1990’s due to the cut-off shirts and the khaki!
The Great Escape
Pretty Woman: Edward’s Tie
Pretty Woman has another entry. We’re talking about the scene where Vivian watches I Love Lucy, walks up to Edward to undo his tie, and then continues watching the show. The next shot shows the tie fixed. Then, it’s undone once more. Continuity is a lot of work.
Pretty Woman Tie
Where Eagles Dare: It’s The Hair
This is another World War 2 movie which may have had a wonderful cast but was still prone to mistakes. Ingrid Pitt is the star of the film. Although she looked amazing in her hairstyle, it was sorely out of place. It was appropriate for the ‘60’s, but not really for Pitt’s character – a 1940’s German waitress.
Where Eagles Dare
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Giddy Up
The film featured a large amount of incredible headwear, but cowboys surely weren’t a thing at the time yet. The unwanted extra stood out like a sore thumb with his cowboy hat.
Pirates Of The Caribbean Cowboy
The Aviator: The Glasses
To put it simply, the frameless glasses which Robert Gross sports in The Aviator was a modern look unusual in the 1920’s.
The Aviator
Alien: That Helmet
Another rather obvious error: Kane’s hood magically disappears when the alien comes closer. Did the alien have secret powers or was it a continuity error?
Alien
The Empire Strikes Back: That Jacket
Everybody loves Han Solo. However, that’s not enough reason to give him a pass on this one. Our beloved intergalactic smuggler is seen donning a jacket which disappears into thin air many times in one scene.
Empire Strikes Back
The Wizard Of Oz: Red Slippers?
Everyone must have been enchanted by this classic film’s magical world. Everybody knows Dorothy’s ruby slippers, but the ones she sported in the film look rather black.
The Wizard Of Oz
The Avengers: The Suit
We all adore Captain America. However, we don’t think his suit had the ability to self-heal. Oh, wait…even he can’t do that.
The Avengers
Full Metal Jacket: Wrap
Even when you are target shooting, changing the angles can’t make a wrist wrap magically disappear. However, that is exactly what happened in Full Metal Jacket.
Full Metal Jacket
Harry Potter: The Suitcase
Being unable to get inside Platform 9 ¾ can certainly be stressful. Nevertheless, that shouldn’t be enough reason to switch trunks in just a few seconds!
Harry Potter
The Mummy: Switching Sides
Back in 1999, everyone was talking about The Mummy! It was such a hit. Do you remember when Imotep’s priests attacked Jonathan and Rick? They really fought back in the film. In the first shot they are seen standing next to each other, and actually, switch positions in the next take.
The Mummy Switching Sides
King Arthur: Everything
Even when a movie is based on a myth, you need to have your facts straight. Having modern shoes in a movie that takes place in the 5th century isn’t exactly accurate. Also, the armor plates that the soldiers wore were way too heavy to be worn by real Sarmatian knights when they are battling. Oh well!
King Arthur Everything
Zulu: Shaved Faces
In the film, there is a war against the British colonists. British soldiers are seen with very distinguished mustaches, and none of them appear to have smooth faces. While the times have changed quite a bit since 1879, this detail just can’t be overlooked!
Zulu Shaved Faces
Hello, Dolly! Wrong Make-Up
Ah, we do love Barbara Streisand, and this is totally not her fault. However, in Hello, Dolly! which is set in the 1890’s, Streisand can be seen sporting some make-up that wouldn’t appear until the 1960’s.
Hello Dolly Make Up
Elizabeth I: Floating ruffs
If this looks ridiculous now, fear not, it looked just as ridiculous then. Neck ruffs are hard to pull off in any situation, and should definitely not be worth without a top running right up to it. We guess Helen Mireen got the short end of the stick.
Elizabeth I Floating Ruffs
Lord of the Rings: Watch
Gandalf and his magical skills are totally out of this world! But seeing him sport a fancy digital wristwatch might be a little too much. The film did win 17 Oscars, but this is quite the error in our opinion!
Lord Of The Rings Watch
Braveheart: Man In The Back
In the film, there is some random guy not paying attention walking in the background of a shot. No one seems to notice him. He appears to be a walking 21st century time traveler.
Braveheart Man In The Back
American Sniper: Baby
In the film, Chris Kyle is seen holding onto ‘his baby.’ If you take a closer look you see the baby actually is a doll! According to the director Clint Eastwood, he thought directing a doll would be way easier than directing a real-life baby.
American Sniper Baby
Outlander: Expensive Material
The cloak that Claire wears is lined with tartan. It was so expensive back then, it would be impossible for someone like her to wear it. If they did, they wore it inside out to protect it from plain sight.
Outlander Expensive Material
Gone With The Wind: Electric Cables
This one is a total classic! When you see Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in the movie, you walk away thinking the film is a piece of art. The movie takes place during the Civil War, so technically there should not have been lamps and electrical cords.
Gone With The Wind Electric Cables
Star Wars: Knee Plate
You might be thinking, how can there be something wrong with Star Wars?! Well, when Darth Vader loses his stuff, he grabs the Rebel by the throat. In the back, you can see a Stormtrooper without a protector plate on his knee, but in the next shot, it majestically appears.
Star Wars Knee Plate
Fast Five: Camerman
This movie took a lot of shooting, and a few times you can see the cameras that did so! In the film, when Mia and Brian jump off the roof, a gunman takes aim at them, then a cameraman takes aim at the gunman. Sorry, but what a total fail!
Fast Five Cameraman
Iron Man: Blood Disappears
When Stark is seen wiping the blood off his mouth, in one shot it drips down the side of his face, but in the next, it completely disappeared.
Iron Man Blood Disappears
Spiderman: Redhead Extra
In Spiderman, there is a redheaded extra that is seen multiple times in the film. We hope she got paid a little extra for making multiple appearances in multiple shots.
Spiderman Redhead Extra
Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Disappearing Bracelet
Sometimes even animated movies lack continuity. When the main characters are in the courtroom with King Neptune, Mindy’s gold band went away then mysteriously appears again.
Spongebob Squarepants Movie Disappearing Bracelet