It's not difficult to watch a historical movie and find yourself completely swept away by the world on screen, and costumes often have a lot to do with it. The best historical films do not just tell a story, but rather transport audiences to a different era, down to the last button. A large part of their success relies on accurately depicting the lavish costumes from their respective time; good costuming stands out effortlessly.
As such, the talented costume designers who get it right know that every fabric choice and stitch matters in helping actors fully embody their roles, adding value to the set, and thus making the experience all the more immersive. Whether it's a queen's regal gown or the worn-out uniforms of soldiers at war, we look back at some of the movies with the most believable and accurate historical costumes.
10 'Mary Queen of Scots' (2018) Designed by Alexandra Byrne
Mary Queen of Scots follows Mary Stuart's (Saoirse Ronan) return to Scotland, her rivalry with Queen Elizabeth I (Margot Robbie), and her struggle to maintain power amid political intrigue, sacrifice, and betrayal. Josie Rourke's movie keeps boredom at bay, even if not the most accurate historical piece to date.
For Mary Queen of Scots, the Oscar-winning Alexandra Byrne researched 16th-century royal portraits and period clothing while also making bold choices, including using denim as a primary fabric, as its durability and sculptural quality allowed her to evoke the rugged realities of Mary's life in Scotland while maintaining the silhouettes. Despite being far from traditional (which rightfully clashes with how purists define "authenticity"), Byrne's approach has ultimately created a credible world that prioritizes storytelling and symbolism over strict historical authenticity, a choice that was praised by some but noted by historians as a departure from reality.
Mary Queen of Scots R Drama History Biopic 8.0/10 Release Date December 7, 2018
Cast Margot Robbie, Jack Lowden, Guy Pearce, David Tennant, Joe Alwyn, Martin Compston, Saoirse Ronan, Brendan Coyle, Gemma Chan Runtime 124minutes Director Josie Rourke Writers Beau Willimon Powered by Expand Collapse 9 'Far From Heaven' (2002) Designed by Sandy Powell
Following a seemingly perfect housewife whose life unravels after discovering her husband's homosexuality and developing a platonic relationship with her gardener, Todd Haynes' Far From Heaven takes place in 1957 Connecticut. Acclaimed for its storytelling, it explores themes of race, sexuality, and societal expectations in a repressive era.
Sany Powell's recreation of suburban America is fascinating. Through her research-driven approach, the designer managed to capture the era's silhouette, fabrics, and color with precision. The costumes go beyond imitation, paying homage to the style of Douglas Sirk's melodramas, and are meticulously crafted to elevate the movie's character arcs and societal status. Additionally, Far From Heaven is a powerful reflection of identity, desire, and the boundaries imposed by challenging times, with Julianne Moore's acting efforts anchoring the film.
Far From Heaven PG-13 Drama Documentary Romance Release Date September 2, 2002 Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH Streaming
Cast Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis, James Rebhorn Runtime 107 minutes Director Todd Haynes Powered by Expand Collapse 8 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' (2007) Designed by Alexandra Byrne
Cate Blanchett astounds in the central role in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. A sequel to 1998's Elizabeth, it takes audiences to the late 1580s and depicts Queen Elizabeth I as she faces threats from Catholic Spain, navigates court, and resists personal desires for the sake of her country.
Despite disappointing reviews, The Golden Age is generally considered historically accurate, especially when it comes to its costume design. Meticulously crafted by Byrne, who drew inspiration directly from Queen Elizabeth I's portraits and the period's dress codes, it was marked by dramatic ruffs and butterfly-shaped collars that helped make the story all the more believable. Not only did the amazing, Oscar-winning costumes play a part in following historical patterns, but they also contributed to the film's storytelling, emphasizing the queen's transformation into an icon and her psychological journey.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age PG-13 Biography Drama History Romance Release Date September 9, 2007 Runtime 114 minutes Director Shekhar Kapur
Cast Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Laurence Fox, Tom Hollander, Abbie Cornish, Rhys Ifans, Jordi Molla, Samantha Morton, Eddie Redmayne, Adrian Scarborough, Adam Godley, Christian Brassington, Robert Cambrinus, David Threlfall, Vidal Sancho, Kelly Hunter, John Shrapnel, Sam Spruell, David Sterne, David Robb, Jonathan Bailey, Steve Lately, Kate Fleetwood, Aimee King, Susan Lynch Writers William Nicholson, Michael Hirst Powered by Expand Collapse 7 'The Duchess' (2008) Designed by Michael O'Connor
Starring period drama princess Keira Knightley in the lead role, The Duchess is set in 18th-century England. It follows Georgiana Spencer, who marries the Duke of Devonshire (Ralph Fiennes) and becomes a fashion icon and political influencer. Meanwhile, she navigates a loveless marriage, personal betrayals, and an arduous struggle for agency.
Widely praised for extraordinary costume accuracy, Michael O'Connor's work, which earned him an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and multiple other accolades, draws inspiration from period paintings, including Thomas Gainsborough's portraits of Georgiana Cavendish. Instead of replicating period fashion, O'Connor's designs told the story of her life and status, with her clothing being carefully picked to express her political activism and conveying the restrictive reality of women's fashion at the time.
The Duchess PG-13 Drama History Romance Release Date September 5, 2008 Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH RENT BUY
Cast Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell, Simon McBurney, Aidan McArdle, John Shrapnel, Alistair Petrie, Patrick Godfrey, Michael Medwin, Justin Edwards, Richard McCabe, Calvin A. Dean, Hannah Stokely, Andrew Armour, Emily Jewell, Bruce Mackinnon, Georgia King, Luke Norris, Eva Hrela, Poppy Wigglesworth, Emily Cohen, Mercy Fiennes Tiffin, Sebastian Applewhite Runtime 110 minutes Director Saul Dibb Writers Anders Thomas Jensen Powered by Expand Collapse 6 'Little Women' (2019) Designed by Jacqueline Durran
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, and Emma Watson in the lead roles and following the March sisters as they navigate love, ambition, and loss, Little Women ranks among the best and most entertaining Greta Gerwig features. The film dazzles with a beautiful message of what it means to define your path in a world shaped by tradition.
Jacqueline Durran's Oscar-winning costume design for Little Women is the perfect blend of character-driven storytelling and historical accuracy. Apparently, Durran meticulously researched mid-19th-century fashion, crafting about 75 unique looks for the March sisters that reflect their personalities, social status, and different journeys. Despite the subtle modern elements of Jo's costumes to highlight her character (some liberties were taken), the movie's costumes were made of authentic fabrics and resulted in faithful silhouettes.
Little Women PG Romance Drama 9.5/10 Release Date December 25, 2019
Cast Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet, Bob Odenkirk, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Abby Quinn, Lilly Englert, Chris Cooper, James Norton, Sasha Frolova, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Dern, Louis Garrel Runtime 135 minutes Director Greta Gerwig Writers Greta Gerwig Powered by Expand Collapse 5 'The Alamo' (2004) Designed by Charisse Cardenas
Set during the 1836 Texas Revolution, The Alamo follows legendary figures like Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton), Jim Bowie (Jason Patric), and William Travis (Patrick Wilson) as they defend the Alamo mission against Mexican forces led by General Santa Anna (Emilio Echevarría). The movie culminates in the famous final battle that leads to Texas' fight for independence.
In The Alamo, authenticity was a guiding principle: whether it was the buttons for Mexican army uniforms cast from original artifacts or coonskin caps crafted using real raccoon pelts and sourced from taxidermists, the team spent a long time prototyping Mexican military costumes and ensured every detail matched historical records. The movie's costumes -- a great improvement from the previous Hollywood film -- were certainly a huge part of what immersed audiences in the era and provided an authentic window into this memorable moment in American history.
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The Alamo PG-13 History War Drama Release Date April 7, 2004 Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH RENT BUY
Cast Billy Bob Thornton, Dennis Quaid, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson, Emilio Echevarría, Edwin Hodge, Emily Deschanel, Jordi Molla, Leon Rippy, Marc Blucas, Tom Davidson, Robert Prentiss, Kevin Page, Joe Stevens, Stephen Bruton, Laura Clifton, Ricardo Chavira, Steven Chester Prince, Estephania LeBaron, Brandon Smith, Elena Hurst, Rance Howard, Nathan Price Runtime 137 minutes Writers John Lee Hancock, Leslie Bohem Powered by Expand Collapse 4 'Dunkirk' (2017) Designed by Jeffrey Kurland
Depicting the harrowing evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, France, in 1940, Christopher Nolan's essential war movie is told from land, sea, and air perspectives. It follows soldiers, civilians, and pilots as they try to survive and rescue against genuinely overwhelming odds.
While there are great aspects to spare when it comes to Dunkirk, the costumes are certainly top-notch, elevating the movie and further establishing its historical context. While all major costumes were custom-made because sourcing vintage uniforms in the necessary quantities was nearly impossible, Jeffrey Kurland had new fabrics loaded in factories to match the original materials, then subjected them to rigorous aging processes to achieve the right battle-worn look. Add to that the civilian costumes, which were also chosen to evoke British patriotism, and it's not difficult to grasp why the results are nothing short of awesome.
Dunkirk PG-13 History Drama Action 7.2/10 Release Date July 21, 2017
Cast Kenneth Branagh, Aneurin Barnard, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy, James D'Arcy, Jack Lowden, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles, Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan Runtime 106 minutes Director Christopher Nolan Writers Christopher Nolan Powered by Expand Collapse 3 'Downton Abbey' (2019) Designed by Anna Robbins
The 2019 film adaptation of Downton Abbey is set in 1927, continuing the story of the Crawley family and their loyal staff and picking up after the acclaimed television series. They prepare for a momentous royal visit from King George V and Queen Mary, an announcement that throws both the upstairs and the downstairs into a frenzy.
Downton Abbey stands out for its fantastic costume accuracy, all thanks to the work of designer Anna Robbins and her team. In the movie, the garments prioritize historical authenticity and were either original 1920s pieces or crafted from vintage materials. Not only do they reflect the era's style, but also social changes and character development, with Lady Edith's (Laura Carmichael) wardrobe, which evolves to mirror her modern status, being a prime example.
Downton Abbey PG Drama Romance Release Date September 12, 2019 Runtime 122 minutes Director Michael Engler
Cast Matthew Goode, Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, Tuppence Middleton, Elizabeth McGovern, Allen Leech Writers Julian Fellowes Powered by Expand Collapse 2 'Emma.' (2020) Designed by Alexandra Byrne
While it also provides an undeniably entertaining narrative, this vibrant adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel is distinguished by, among many notable aspects, its costume design. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy in the lead role, Emma. follows the titular, well-meaning but selfish young woman as she meddles in her friends' love lives.
Featuring stunning costumes by Alexandra Byrne, Emma. is a visual feast that keeps on giving, standing out for its visual style and commitment to Regency authenticity. Despite its slightly modernized silhouettes, this delightful movie features costumes rooted in authentic designs with careful attention to embroidery, cuts, and period-appropriate accessories. Unlike the common perception of muted Regency palettes, Byrne used vivid colors to reflect the bright dyes favored by the wealthy at the time. On top of mirroring social status, the movie's thoughtfully curated costumes also reflect character growth.
Emma. PG Comedy Drama 9.0/10 Release Date February 21, 2020
Cast Bill Nighy, Gemma Whelan, Rupert Graves, Mia Goth, Amber Anderson, Tanya Reynolds, Callum Turner, Chloe Pirrie, Josh O'Connor, Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn, Miranda Hart, Suzy Bloom Runtime 124 minutes Director Autumn de Wilde Writers Eleanor Catton Powered by Expand Collapse 1 'Barry Lyndon' (1975) Designed by Milena Canonero
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, Barry Lyndon is widely regarded as one of the most historically accurate period films, earning the praise of critics and cinephiles alike. Set in 18th-century England and starring Ryan O'Neal and Marisa Berenson, the movie follows an Irish rogue who wins the heart of a rich widow and assumes her dead husband's aristocratic position.
In collaboration with Ulla Britt Söderlund, Milena Canonero crafted Barry Lyndon's iconic wardrobe with meticulous attention to detail within the era's context. It's not surprising that their fantastic work earned them an Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 1976, especially when it required extensive research, antique sourcing, and recreation, resulting in nothing short of unforgettable costume design that has set the gold standard. In Barry Lyndon, the costumes are not merely decorative but rather integral to the movie's immersive narrative.
Barry Lyndon PG Drama Romance War 10.0/10 Release Date December 18, 1975
Cast Ryan O'Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Krüger, Diana Körner Runtime 185 Minutes Director Stanley Kubrick Writers Stanley Kubrick Powered by Expand Collapse
NEXT: 10 Period Movies That Are Perfect From Start to Finish