Are "Emma." (2020) Costumes Historically Accurate? aka What Makes Good Period Drama Costumes

it is a truth universally acknowledged that you shouldn't quote "Pride and Prejudice" under an "Emma" video
_________________
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sorry about the audio quality, the time machine ruined the clips when I was on my way back :(

[@enzyme3758]

rIp

[@rubythebitch46]

damn

[@NAME-ls9dr]

Sounds authentic.

[@evaodonnell1516]

P R O O F

[@MeandmyTea]

Thank you SO much for the new video Meme Mom!!!❤My cat died this morning...I Really need a distraction right now ❤🐈❤...Don't worry the audio is not to bad! ♥

[@betul6350]

I really loved seeing Mr. Knightley get dressed and even trying to undress himself in frustration. We see women put in corsets so often in movies I don’t think we realise how many layers go into the mens outfits. A nice touch.

[@selene4563]

totally agree. I'm glad they added that

[@BriarMB13]

Ah yes....his clothes that's...that's what I was appreciating in that scene...

[@amuletangeldevil]

Yes! Gentlemen's wear in the regency era was pretty hard to out on by yourself and was a sign of status.

[@transvestosaurus878]

F E M A L E G A Z E

[@angelicsailor1st]

That butt action shocked me I *gasp*

[@icelinlavity903]

Men's collar: is where it should be Karolina: *chef's kiss*

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

Icelin Lavity that’s sexy

[@zipzapzop6519]

"Never underestimate the importance of fabrics" Me: **sewing historical costumes out of goodwill sheets** welp

[@ellaisplotting]

A mood most relatable

[@RebeccaCurrence]

ZipZapZop my entire life

[@taylah3226]

Do you watch Micarah tewers? If not I feel like you would enjoy her content.

[@RebeccaCurrence]

taylah I love Micarah’s videos. I was homeschooled too so ya homies gotta represent!

[@zipzapzop6519]

@@taylah3226 I haven't, but now I gotta check her out.

[@aureateblues]

"Because I want to look handsome, clever, and rich." Same fam, same.

[@mowganashwey]

KZbin never fails to freak me out when a comment (like this one) is shown as soon as the creator is saying the line 😅✨

[@thebananaowenslippedon7095]

Same Too bad I am a banana

[@nightburststudios2142]

“They weren’t afraid to make actresses look lame which is something I really appreciate” ...well if that’s not me when I’m costuming a show, I don’t know what is

[@kasiaczulkowska1503]

literally me watching emma: i wonder what karolina żebrowska thinks about those costumes

[@valeriarossini543]

same!!!

[@ivettgamarra]

Same! ❤ I loved the movie in many ways

[@marija4265]

Yeah, me too 🤓

[@adriannavanoyen]

I'm interested in her French costumes in particular.

[@Margaretcs0103]

Exactly! So pleased to see this video today....

[@rml2765]

One of my biggest peeves with most films set pre-1950 is that colour is often lost, we forget that past people also saw the world in colour in the same vibrancy that we do today

[@heathern8043]

Rylee ML yeah I feel like it’s because colours fade over time on like buildings and paintings and fabric, people can’t detach from what they’re used to viewing history through so they can imagine how bright it would’ve been when first made.

[@LB-ou8wt]

@@heathern8043 I feel particularly strongly about this in the context of ancient times (ie: Rome/Greece) and castle interiors in the middle ages. Like should be so bright it's garish with patterns and murals of mostly religious shit. Not stark whitewashed. I can understand toning it down a bit, because honestly, garish, but going full on white just seems too far.

[@LB-ou8wt]

@@oliviawoloshyn5824 I can empathize with modern filmmakers, because some of these statues have been recreated based on the pigments found and they're kinda ugly to the modern eye, so a scene in a palace full of the garish wall paint + garish statues + more colourful people would be like eyeball assault to the modern taste. But I like to see a more faded tone paints used in movies on castle walls or statues. Almost sun-bleached to tone the colours down.

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

Rylee ML two things to that: first we have some cultural influence that whenever we see something like a baroque wall full of flowers and vibrancy we go “EW” so toning down the colours make the person watching it more open minded to enjoy it. Secondly we tend to associate old with toned down or faded colours which just adds to my previous point.

[@andinarizkia]

I think it's also caused by the fact that period drama rarely captures fun and happiness, rather they choose to depict sorrow, grieve, and definitely, drama. In which within movie (which I am _not_ a professional or very experienced in, just little college film project here and there as a so-called-"creative director"), colors are used to further "build" the story, the aura it was going for, and the feelings the characters feel to further send empathy for the viewers. And.. i don't think bright colors really match said atmosphere. In addition to that, however, I do think it will be fantastic to have movies that fully went for the "bright" and "glamour" side of the period. Humour, happy-ending-romance (which we... don't get "very" often in older stories), and probably rom-com!

[@DragonRebelRose]

* *Karolina shows clip of hilarious student film* * Me: GIVE ME THIS FILM OR GIVE ME DEATH

[@alexachipman]

Don't tease us like that! We want the full film!

[@emmapollard6978]

YES!!! please karolina!!!

[@rusted_ursa]

Here here!

[@ausername5410]

DragonRebelRose I second this!

[@theodosioux]

PLEASAAASE YES!!!!

[@justablueberry4457]

I'm an animation student, if i ever am animating anything that's historic i'm coming to you for historical correctness advice ;) our pro

[@firiel2366]

I'm here for more period drama animation 🙏🏼

[@princessadrigirl6774]

Yoooo I need to see this happen

[@Meimoons]

Firiel have you ever seen the anime Emma: A Victorian Romance? I highly recommend that one!

[@gv5884]

There is a historical costume blog called Frock Flicks. You might like it.

[@annawesometheflameingpikac3688]

One thing to remember as an animator is that it's ok if you can't make every detail of period wear. Its ok if you need to simplify somethings so long as you keep the fundamental parts.

[@diana6echo]

nothing puts me off from regency period movie/tv series than lack of curls...

[@HadridarMatramen]

One of my many, many problems with the Keira Knightley-version of Pride and Prejudice...

[@PunkHime89]

HadridarMatramen Let us not speak of it. It’s only redeeming quality was the cinematic camerawork.

[@HadridarMatramen]

@@xXJokerAtWorkXx Incomparable to the wonderful Colin Firth!

[@DeeDeeCatMom]

I can accept it if it's not glam hollywood hair, a la Sanditon!

[@almostcartoonishlyawkward]

@@HadridarMatramen Here here! That is the hill I will die on!

[@heddadybvadskog-nebb5603]

Normal people: are attracted to the actors Meme mum: are attracted to the costumes

[@mystii8134]

Hedda Dybvadskog who isn’t attracted to the costumes. Costumes say enough words, but the actors say too many.

[@jacquig1939]

I loved that at least once Emma repeats a dress. Usually they never repeat a dress in movies but even if you were rich then you'd end up repeating an outfit once in a while. With the neckline mistake I can see Harriet not knowing or having a fancy enough evening dress. For Mrs. Elton-she's a tacky human and probably didn't think the rules apply.

[@vanessa_san]

That's why I love Downton Abbey so much. They repeat clothes all the time there.

[@ArtemisScribe]

I also enjoyed that the blue, fur-trimmed coat Emma wears visiting Harriett when she's sick is the same coat she's having made when Harriett tells her that Robert Martin proposed to her. It's not just a natural repeat of a costume but is also a way to show us that time has passed since the previous scene, because now the coat is finished.

[@deemg2830]

I watched the movie with the director commentary, and they said that they made Mrs Elton "break the rules" as she is nouveau riche. 😊

[@mx.noname4710]

Mrs. Elton's ruff is attached to a transparent piece of organza, which you can just see if you look closely at the top line of her shoulders (from Mariah Pattie's scene-by-scene breakdown kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXzdfmyQgpeYfrs approximately 11:50)

[@Ana_Paula.Frasson]

@@deemg2830. How did you managed to get the director's commented version?

[@amandaleighbump2161]

"Lady Catherine will not think the worse of you for being simply dressed. She likes to have the distinction of rank preserved."

[@codename495]

Amanda Leigh Bump *Rolls eyes in Lizzie Bennett*

[@esthermigo3009]

i looked at your hands for about 30 secs straight, absolutely horrified not realising you were, indeed, just wearing flesh coloured gloves.

[@thegrammarcrusader4085]

Now I can't unotice that.

[@mypointofview9794]

Lmao!

[@amycraig4024]

WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME NOTICE THAT

[@Rozdlc]

Same XD. Was worried for a moment

[@enidan_]

Same xD I was really worried for some moments why her hands were so red

[@cinemaocd1752]

The good: Actually having fussy, curly hair and collar lace, actually showing women wearing rag curls (even if there weren't enough, actually seeing the rag curlers is rare in any JA Adapation), showing stiff, high stocks on men, showing servants dressing and undressing people, showing Mr. Knightley and Mr. Woodhouse wearing homespun and Frank Churchill wearing imported fabric which fits their characters perfectly, those red school girl capes were *chef's kiss* perfection..The badly done: men's trousers being too loose (though not as bad as some. P&P95 I'm looking at you), Miss Bates wearing lots of expensive fussy imported french lace, Mr. Woddhouse's hair, and the Ugly: those weird steam punk neck corset choker ruff things!

[@mstie3252]

Miss Bates' clothes seemed too expensive and fashionable to me. She is supposed to be poorer than Emma, Knightley, and the others. That's the whole reason Knightley says he is angry at Emma for ridiculing her. She has sunk lower in status/wealth, and will continue to sink through her life. She used to be higher status/wealth when Emma was young, but she's not anymore.

[@cinemaocd1752]

@@mstie3252 YES! Thank you. Her clothes should have been ten years out of style, and patched and a bit worn. That would have been perfect. They live in rented rooms. They can't afford to spend money on lace. Lace was so expensive, one Jane Austen's relatives was almost executed for shoplifting a piece that was worth what a laborer would earn in a month!

[@mypointofview9794]

What was wrong with Mr. Woodhouse's hair?

[@Nadia1989]

@@mstie3252 funny enough, I read it as if some of Miss Bates' clothing were gifts or hand-me-downs from Jane (or the family she lives with)

[@shinjineesen400]

@@cinemaocd1752 Mrs Leigh-Perrot, accused of stealing lace. The penalty was transportation to Australia, not execution.

[@sasp9856]

I loved the bit after the ball when Mr. Knightley comes home and takes off his coat and waistcoat, it felt like a twist on the "flustered lady has to loosen her corset" trope ! Agree that the male characters' clothes weren't tight enough, I was hoping for a more hourglass silhouette...

[@christieveneti6750]

I wanted to watch this in the cinema with my best friend but corona hit😢😢😢

[@JessJeans]

Christie Veneti you can rent it on amazon!!

[@Future_Pheonix]

Me too. I wanted to watch several movies that came out/were supposed to come out, but then this happened 😢

[@christieveneti6750]

@@lukesnephew4911 thanks guys but we are broke university students we use a 1+1 deal from our mobile company and get in the cinema with like 4€, we are gonna watch it at home when we can after all this💖

[@aprillen]

Sorry you missed it! I was on it like a wasp on cake, and managed to see it in the cinema before the apocalypse hit. I hope you'll get the chance to see it!

[@CazuhLynn]

Same here... I was surprised when she agreed. I never thought historical films would be interesting to her and internally, I prepared myself for not seeing it in theatres. But then she agreed without hesitation aaaand we never went.

[@sekaihatsu]

Okay, it was a bit odd on Emma, but hearing "steampunk neck corset" makes me want one. I guess it'd be a choker with a steampunk aesthetic but "neck corset" sounds awesome.

[@atinysoftbean1645]

Neck corsets are actually a thing. From what I've seen, they are basically a very structured, more or less elaborate piece of clothing, that surrounds a bigger area of the neck (and sometimes the shoulders) than a choker usually does.

[@elfsemail]

I have a late 1800s blouse, or shirtwaist as they were called I think. The high collar has actual boning!

[@HadridarMatramen]

@@elfsemail That explains a lot! I have owned plenty of old-fashioned, but modern garments with the high, wanna-be victorian/edwardian collars, and they NEVER look good on! They always roll down and get...umm. Crinkly and ugly... Boning would obviously fix that, so huh! That makes sense! Never thought about it, but it makes sense!

[@lady_sir_knight3713]

@@HadridarMatramen They would also have been starched all to hell in the period, so remember to starch your collars!

[@lady_sir_knight3713]

Also, PSA that if you google "neck corset" you get BDSM stuff, because apparently a neck corset is a type of restraint.

[@UsernamesForDummies]

I’d love you to judge the costumes and hair in “The Duchess”.

[@Victoriacariad]

Yes! I'd love that too, just so happened to rewatch it today during the lockdown lol.

[@louizebraga]

Me toooo

[@beepboop9464]

Yesss!!!

[@vilwarin5635]

Or The Scandalous Lady W. Those costumes were gorgeous too, and they had all their layers!

[@beccaroo6959]

Yesssss!!! Please!!!

[@emmakayisnotok7322]

I genuinely think that it's so stupid how they find curls "not sexy enough" because it's such a beautiful look

[@malfattio2894]

It's funny, people always do these upper class accents when playing characters in regency england but there's a lot of evidence to suggest that they would have sounded significantly different back then

[@kappecat9225]

I wish we could hear them :(

[@annahill99]

The non-rhotic version of the British accent didn’t develop until the back half of the 1800s so they certainly were more likely to sound like modern day American accents than modern day British accents, which is strange to think about

[@malfattio2894]

@@annahill99 There's still people in the south of England who speak with a rhotic accent but it's a lot less common than it used to be

[@miapendragon5931]

@@annahill99 Except for the fact that the modern day American accent is comprised from Irish, various English dialects, German, Italian, Spanish etc etc accents. The generic "English accent" of Emma's time is more likely to have been more like a West Country Cornish accent mixed with Norfolk and Northern too 😂

lol I can only do Polish-American-Scottish mixture OR a-little-bit-British-because-I-watched-Downton-Abbey-once don’t come at me hahaha

[@ZacharyDBrooks]

Liturgical minutiae: the vicar is missing his preaching scarf and hood, and his surplice is too short. There would absolutely not have been a cross over the communion table of an English church during this period.

[@WhimsicalEloquence]

You’re correct on the hood point (and the cross on the altar) but in fact the tippet (scarf) was not in common use by ordinary parsons at this point. The scarf was a mark of dignity and was only worn by certain figures (BD’s, canons, chaplains to nobles). Mr Elton wouldn’t have worn one. It only began to be worn by ordinary clergymen in the 1840’s. The surplice point is debatable: at the time surplices of that length were common enough.

[@ZacharyDBrooks]

@@WhimsicalEloquence Isn't this the period when vicars wore their surplices over their regular clothes? That would require a longer one.

[@ZacharyDBrooks]

Here are two images of Regency Era surplices: www.susannedietze.com/uploads/1/2/7/3/12730796/6314518.jpg?536 www.augustana.net/SpecialCollections/colorplate/images/burying_wife_medium.jpg

[@bho-lj1jk]

And I’m only showing up with a bad joke, surely I shall burn. His surplice got cotta in the wash?

[@gv5884]

Why wouldn't have been a cross?

[@burntblueberrywaffles]

“We don’t really experiment with Austen adaptations ” The Lizzie Bennett Diaries and Emma Approved: am I a joke to you?

[@jukihiw]

Also Clueless and Pride, Prejudice snd Zombies

I meant costume-wise, dammit 😂

[@MsSonnencreme]

I love them all

[@KasumiRINA]

@ Clueless costumes were 90s valley girl chic tho! And don't forget Saint's Row IV where Jane Austen is NARRATING THE GAME about you fighting aliens with dildo bats and a dubstep gun while reading book excerpts on radio. "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that every now and again a situation arises that defies explanation. And so it was with the ascension of the Third Street Saints..."

[@DeeDeeCatMom]

@ What about the Lady Susan adaptation, Love & Friendship? ;)

[@chrisdarcyxx8747]

Thank you for mentioning that bright colours aren't historically inaccurate! I recently had a bright green 1840s bodice fall into my hands, and originally doubted whether it was original because I thought the 1840s were very dull and Earth-toned. Took me a while to get it into my head that not everybody wore the exact same thing. Also I smiled so much seeing Emma's red/pink sheer dress because I've seen the original in the V&A and I instantly knew it had been referenced :)

[@lilibetp]

Please make sure that green isn't arsenic-based!

[@SheepasaurusRex]

correct me if i'm wrong, but the rococo period in france was going on either at the same time or a little before? and they are super famous for bright & pastel colors and people forget this. so the colors were v available, even if in a different country

[@suavemsuavemente]

This type of false assumption is very common. We can thank movies for reinforcing it. Just like everybody associates the Middle Ages with perpetual winter, jetblack mud, powder white fogs and frostbiting cold and rain.

[@chrisdarcyxx8747]

@@lilibetp Oh yeah, that did go through my head. I compared it to other extant garments in Scheele's green (the shade that used arsenic) and it's not the same shade! I still wash my hands thoroughly after handling it just in case though lol

[@codename495]

Ya Boi Sophia you can buy arsenic test strips to be sure.

[@daisukidatotoro]

I saw this version of "Emma" through streaming and loved it. I was so happy to see such sumptuous fabrics and colors, but what pleased me most was the attention to the historical accessories. Spencers and gloves and fichus and oh my god BONNETS. It completely takes me out of it to watch a "period piece" with loose, flowing hair and no bonnets. (Looking at you, Little Women. You too, Kiera Knightley's P&P😑)

[@inkheart151]

Not going to lie, Little Women is one of my guilty pleasures. The 1994 version anyway

[@ano898]

You could see a hydro flask and plastic water bottle in a scene in the most recent Little Women

[@daisukidatotoro]

@@inkheart151 Oh, nothing against the Winona Ryder version. I just have major issues with the Emma Watson "I don't feel like my character would wear a corset or put her hair up" modern version. I mean, seriously? Your character, the most proper of all the sisters wouldn't wear underwear?

[@daisukidatotoro]

@@ano898 Really? When? I hadn't noticed, but then again I was quite busy rolling my eyes at how generally disheveled everyone looked and shouting "bonnets!" at the screen every few minutes like a historically-minded tourrettes patient.

[@Line...]

@@daisukidatotoro She wore a corset for this movie, but the hair made no sense for her character

[@lila1620]

As a student costume designer, other videos like this one made by clothing historians often frustrate me as they often tend to say anachronistic ALWAYS means bad costume design. I really appreciated how this video takes into account story and how sometimes anachronistic choices (like the high neckline at night) can be used to convey something about the character. In period pieces, a designer has to balance being a historian and a storyteller and that this video understands this nuance proves that the Meme Mom is truly supreme.

[@annahill99]

As soon as I saw Mrs Elton in the film I was like “HOLD UP THAT’S 1830s HAIR”. Karolina you have taught me well

[@rusted_ursa]

- Your acknowledgement that costumes need to serve the story is my favorite part of the video. I generally don't care about historical accuracy in a work of fiction, as long as it's not so _egregiously_ wrong that it distracts from the story. I figure if everyone understands that it's just a story, then there's a bit of wiggle room. And if we want something that adheres to history 100%, that's when we turn on a documentary. That said, I would absolutely watch you drag an historically inaccurate movie all day long.

[@lyreparadox]

I'd actually love to see someone tear apart the costumes on some of those so-called documentaries.

[@sofia_rms]

Agreed

[@mertymeh8503]

If there is one thing 2019/2020 period dramas showed me is that regency era can be cool (I mean the collars are my new sexuality) and Victorian era can indeed be made boring

[@KasumiRINA]

Regency era gave us: Frankenstein, the Vampyre, Childe Harold, the Corsair and Walter Scott's swashbuckling historical fiction... the central era of romantic literature in history... AND it also had an outlier in Jane Austen, going _against_ the trend of supernatural epic tales of romance and heroics on the high seas, burning castles and mad scientist labs in the high towers above the sea of fog, so common to the era, and writing pastoral stories of landed gentry trying to marry off their stubborn daughters on country dance fairs. And she did it great! It's just most of the era's literature was the height of romanticism, which is the opposite genre to her realism.

[@thatkeren]

“Collars are my new sexuality” that’s my new mood

[@wendyfiordelmondo9341]

I liked how in one dinner scene Emma's curls were nice and tight but by the evening they started to look loose and not so bouncy when she was leaving. Its such a small detail but that's every girls problems when having curls. :)

[@olive324]

I'm glad that they made the clothes historically accurate while also making them really colorful, I usually don't love period dramas just because they're so dull and muted visually but Emma was so fun to watch.

[@simo-tn9mj]

You should do a "Are "Anne with an E" costumes historically accurate? " video! I think it would be really interesting to see!

[@faraway-2009]

I mean there's literally a scene that has the "corsets are oppressive" trope

[@lenipng2591]

@@faraway-2009 I dont actually think so. We can see Anne wears corset too, and beside from mrs. Stacy, there are hardly anyone else has any objection against corsets. I think they want to said that "wearing corset is a personal choice", it's either good or bad, it's your choice. I see it like the "bra situation" of today.

[@alisaurus4224]

6:29 Harriet’s “odd jacket” is made of hundreds of tiny crocheted-thread squares and is marvelously intricate. It was made by Sophie Digard for the 2009 movie Bright Star which features lots of handwork since the main character, Fanny Brawne, was a seamstress and clothing designer.

[@belle-ashton2167]

Of course memes mom was going to like this 2020 Emma version, the trailer is so funny and classy like her.

[@plumclots8592]

My uncle did the cinematography for this movie and I’m so happy you made a video on it!! I absolutely adored this movie and your commentary made it even better:))

[@theparrot6516]

ZźżŽe time traveleh

[@SwitchelSweets]

“The men’s silhouettes would have been-“ *Zach Pinsent has entered the chat*

[@graziousgirl]

"Curly hair just doesn't look hot enough." *Cries in curly*

[@haidee7872]

:(

[@graziousgirl]

@Lilah Helmer Same

[@banzaileah]

I think she means just the way it’s parted and put in front of the face like that in the regency era, not the way we would think of curly hair that’s simply (or mostly) even throughout as it is on the head of a naturally curly haired person

[@graziousgirl]

@@banzaileah na I think it's really that many people don't think people eith actually curly hair are sexy, tell me, how many really curly haired female main characters can you name? Especially ones that are portrayed as sexy or beautiful? :D

[@shayelea]

whatthefrickfracksnicksnack when the plain girl gets a makeover to become a bombshell, they always straighten her curly hair. Actresses do this a lot actually too. When was the last time you saw Keri Russell or Nicole Kidman rock their naturally curly hair? (Actually I guess Kidman has been wearing her hair in it’s natural texture during lockdown, but it’s telling that it’s because she hasn’t been going anywhere.) In the meantime I’m over here asking, “How can I make my curly hair look curlier??”

[@paintycup]

I particularly loved Mr Knightley's dressing scene because it was so involved and didn't shy away from the fact that servants played a role in daily dressing. I also loved the scene where Emma's seamstress is fitting her for a jacket - the tucks along the front were so clear and it was fascinating to see!

[@LisaGrimm-LG]

In 2020 cinema, sticking to history sometimes could be considered "experimenting". Well, well, what a world we live in...

[@KasumiRINA]

"reality is unrealistic" now make this medieval battle all with footsoldiers in full plate mail with swords, no guns, and everyone should wear tight leather pants!

[@LB-ou8wt]

@@KasumiRINA and if someone actually put a medieval castle with all of the crazy garish paint/decor/tapestries it would be ugly to our modern eye. especially when we're talking the very wealthy.

[@KasumiRINA]

@@LB-ou8wt yeah, reminds me of the stereotype of Victorian dresses all in faded yellowish colours... like, hello? People didn't walk around in sepia filter back then. xD As to Medieval and Renaissance periods, you know movies fail to grasp history when Warcraft or Final Fantasy are closer to Middle Age Europe than most movies, with guns & polearms appearing at the same time as plate armor and colours... well, existing.)

[@LaydayEruanna]

Hearing you talk about the story being told through the clothing just has me desperate for you to watch the movie Crimson Peak (in full), because that time you talked about the costumes in that, but hadn't seen the film, us comment children were like "o.o she figured out half the background story just by costume!" and it was delightful.

[@VagabondLadybug]

Could you perhaps link the video? I'd love to watch it!

[@SCompton4]

Vagabond Ladybug late reply but try looking up Karolina’s channel name with “Crimson Peak.” The film is brought up in one of her “are period drama costumes historically accurate?” Videos.

[@SheepasaurusRex]

one thing i find interesting in pre-victorian period dramas is that a lot of wedding dresses are still white, this movie included :0

[@JessiStephens]

I got so mad at the white wedding dress! Pre-Victoria! It's not gonna be white!

[@starsun6363]

@Jessi Stephens it's a really really effective story telling tool tho. Oftentimes the juggling they'd have to do to imply to the audience that it was a wedding dress, or the fact that audiences might think it wrong for just one second and be pulled out of the story overpowered the need for historical accuracy. Ah well. I'm willing to excuse it. Emma did wear quite a bit of white in the movie though, so I guess we could pull that card.

[@Ag8844]

what do you think of the borderline terrible yet oscar winning costumes of Little Women (2019)?

[@quin1364]

So awful

[@HikaruAkb]

they werent trying to be accurate bro i dunno why everyone’s so pressed about the accuracy of something that wasn’t trying to be an accurate representation

[@Line...]

@@HikaruAkb they weren't even accurate to the characters themselves

[@sofialepe7380]

Little Women 2019 is one of my favorite movies, however it was not historically accurate

[@dalkay]

I dunno I personally loved them haha

[@thevoidstaresback4464]

meme mom! please review the costumes of Anne with an e 2017

[@gabi-xx5hi]

Omg, yes!

[@Lulu-xg7jz]

YES YES YES

[@Emma-jh2kn]

YES

[@cheeseebun]

yeess

[@damaracarpenter8316]

YESSSSSSSSS

[@MissMisnomer_]

The moment I saw the commercial for Emma I was ecstatic. The costumes looked amazing just from that little peak. The movie did not disappoint.

[@hugs2003]

Personally, I like it when historical or period movies quirk it up a bit with modern twists (like Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette). Not every movie has to be serious and stuffy.

[@JustineBrownsBookshelf]

Loved the new “Emma”. Gorgeous neoclassical colours, playfulness, tradition.

[@amaialune7189]

I was so happy about the curly hair when I watched the film, although Emma’s hair looks kinda like spaghetti, it was a relief that they weren’t all traipsing about with loose shoulder length hair and no bonnets... You’re the only KZbinr whose videos I like before I watch them as you never fail to please!

[@brionyponting7398]

"20 seconds ago" never been this early before, i love you're videos and you are one of the you tubers who sparked my interest in recreating historical clothes 😁

[@andressegui1236]

Just when I was gonna jump outta window out of boredom... THIS HAPPENS

[@madelinelynch8940]

They’re satirical a comedic... only a fresh take because they actually tried to express the source material for once. 🤷‍♀️

[@Lauratherose]

I loved how you did the little cut scenes separating the sections just like they did in Emma. Very on point.

[@mokster5]

I loved this movie! One of my favorite things was that we could see that the characters had a wardrobe of clothes that came up over and over again. Emma's black dress came up twice, I think, and the white day dress with the kind of embroidered circles on the skirt (I don't know how to describe it) showed up several times with different colored petticoats underneath. Miss Bates also had a few lace collars that she wore over and over again with different outfits.

[@fruitcake6372]

GENTLEMAN 👏🏻 JACK 👏🏻 NEXT

[@fruitcake6372]

(Also, just everyone watch Gentleman Jack,,, please)

[@danyg1400]

@Sinead Dowling Still, the inspiration for the garments is quite obvious at times. But oh, the dresses and clothes the others wear around her are quite interesting too!

[@fruitcake6372]

Sinead Dowling Well it would be interesting to talk about the silhouettes and what the costuming says about her and where the inspiration comes from AND to look at some of the other costumes worn by the more “ladielike” characters and the way they contrast with Anne

[@noodlekatz4449]

YES! Ps I also agree on everyone needing to watch it

[@skylarose2106]

Gentleman Jack is so good 🎩

[@mob5350]

Emma. is my new favorite movie, as of having watched it almost three times over this weekend, with my 48 hour digital rental. Thank you for this! This was an amazing review😻 I hope you will make more like this!✨

[@thomasofarabia]

"I'm used to curling my hair in a Regency way." I can't think of anyone else who would say this.

[@zeomora3512]

What I go for: "I want to look handsome clever and rich" What I get: "YOu BeTtER StAhp AhAHHHAhhhHHhHhh"

[@likeballet]

Have you done a commentary on the 2009 Emma miniseries with Romola Garai? I love that adaptation but would love to know what's accurate, inaccurate, your opinions on the costumes, etc. Very interested to know your thoughts. :)

[@KasumiRINA]

I'd second that and ask for a comparison of a bunch of Emmas, or any other Austen adaptation for that matter.

[@likeballet]

@@KasumiRINA Great idea!

[@carolinacs5049]

Yes, please

[@BigBlueSky123]

Yes please! I thought that adaptation (2009) was absolutely magnificent, including the cast and the costumes. I saw some of the costumes in a mini-exhibition in Jane Austen’s house in Hampshire which now a museum.

[@merbelle]

Yes, that one was so book-faithful I'd like to know how they did. This one was basically a semi-bawdy pastiche so I didn't care after a few minutes if it was otherwise accurate or not.

[@KatBaumgarten]

Meme mom!!!! Please review the costumes in Poldark (2015)! The series takes place in the transition between second british empire and the recency era and throughout the series you can really see the sillhouette changing, specially with the richer ladies, which I thought was very different than anything I've seen done in tv, since the show spans several years. {Here are some suggestions to google: Caroline Penvenen gowns (where you can really see the difference), Poldark riding habit, Elizabeth Poldark gowns, (and for a more working woman composition) Demelza Poldark dresses} Love you and the video!

[@gwainegreen786]

When Frank Churchill came out on screen in his grey sweat pants I almost died from shock right there in the theatre.

[@syedmazharhasan6803]

Last time I was this early, Regency era silhouettes were still in style ❤

[@fabelknitwear2773]

I loved the film, and also your review! A thought on hairstyles and curling irons - The hair dept would not have had time to set the hair using fabric/paper for every scene. They likely shot several differnent looks a day depending on their shoot schedule, and while alot of the hairstyles were probably hairpieces that could have been set accurately in advance they would not have been able to do that with the styles that use the actresses actual hair each day and between scenes. Alot of the time on set it's a case of "the best we can do with the time we've been given".

[@fabelknitwear2773]

@4Freedom4All I used to be a costume standby in film, so I worked on set for films making sure the actors were dressed in the right clothes for the right scenes. There is alot of back and forth between outfits seing as films are not shot in chronological order. So trust me when I tell you time is ALWAYS an issue. Curling irons will have had to be used by the hair dept. Of course they dont shoot everything in one day (a film has roughly 50 call-days = days on set), but they do shoot several different scenes in one day, often ranging between outfits based on the location they're in. They will film everything in the same location until they are completely finished in, say, the town, or Emmas manour. Roughly broken down, location decides what is filmed when, not the storyline, meaning you jump between storydays and outfits often during shooting.

[@theeblakester002]

I loved how much attention was paid to the process of dressing and undressing and even, in one scene, clothing making and tailoring. there was generally a sort of subtle but interesting attention paid to the labor of the servant class in the movie-how often these scenes of drama among the rich were conspicuously against a backdrop of footmen and maids!-and the dressing scenes were especially pertinent

[@eyesgalore2971]

I was very concerned about your hands until I realized that it's gloves...

[@mondress]

Dear karolina, thank you for yet another great video! One thing though... I don’t understand why the costume designer name is not credited at all in a lot of these kind of videos out there.. that is such an interesting and knowledgeable discussion on the costumes in this particular video , I think it only right that the costume designer gets a mention. Alexandra Byrne did a GREAT job, and she deserves it!

[@EmmaHollen]

I haven't seen the movie yet (sooooon) but I'm so glad to see that they have repurposed the crochet jacket from Bright Star! :D (6:29)

[@myettechase]

Ooh, I knew it looked familiar!

[@galactichermione6727]

Karolina’s accent makes the auto subtitles fantastic *chef’s kiss* The color palette is pasta.

[@maya1675]

i would love for you to do a similar review for the costumes used in the show Anne with an E! i love the show and I’m very curious if the costumes they used were accurate to the time period. (:

[@jaschabull2365]

"A lot of period dramas set in the regency era tend to shy away from curls and pretend curls didn't exist, mainly because they seem unsexy by modern standards; it just doesn't look hot enough." Brb, going to go cry in a corner.

[@dorothywillis1]

I am so glad to know someone else noticed the same things about the costumes I did! The first thing I said when I saw Mrs. Elton was "That's what they wore ten years later!" I agree with everything you say and I love your outfit!

[@anidleteen]

I want to produce a period drama just so the outfits can be historically accurate and please meme mum

[@soph1172]

Can you do a video on the women‘s style in Peaky Blinders pretty please? 🥺🥺

[@lydialuton4402]

I can vouch (unfortunately) that the tiny rag curls are indeed possible. My hair takes suggestion really well, so it's certainly not typical, but it's easy on certain hair types

[@katiebrethorst3822]

I was hoping you would do a review on Emma's costumes and looks! I've only been your fan a little while, but as soon as I went into the theater I and saw the women's curls I was just so hyped. Thanks for such a wonderful review!

[@K.C-2049]

I LOVE the colours in this movie. it's so nice to see a period drama where the characters not only don't look dirty, but seem to enjoy colours in their wardrobes and homes.

[@Grapefruit_cosplay]

Ahhh these costumes were so beautiful. I especially loved that pink jacket with the applique ribbon detail at the front. So beautiful 😍

[@astoreon4569]

how austentatious

[@pLanetstarBerry]

Austentatious needs to be the title of a rom com set at a Jane Austen convention. The kind where everyone dresses up in period costume, traipsing on a lush estate and just C O M M I T S to being there.

[@sarahmarin3203]

pLanetstarBerry Sounds like “Austenland.” I’d join!

[@froggdoggs8551]

#janeaustencon2021

[@firmlyuninformative]

Karolina: We don't really like new stuff when it comes to Austen. Clueless: Am I joke to you?!

[@bria4545]

Love how passionate and detail oriented you are! Austen is my favorite author, and seeing Emma was an experience. I appreciate your breakdown of the costumes, it makes me love the movie even more! And it would be amazing to see a "get ready with me: regency look"

[@ImKr15t3n]

I had not seen Emma, because covid and this video made me finally watch it. Absolutely loved it, so thanks Karolina! Watched it several times and it just keeps getting better. Very sad that its box office was ruined, it deserved much more success.

[@p1ece4eva8]

I'd love to see you do this with the Netflix show "Anne with an E"!

[@lilliesigrid7052]

karolina: we don't like bright colors when it comes to period dramas bridgerton: and i took that personally

[@fiorioify]

Emma is a masterpiece when it comes of costume and set Design. Texture, materials, pattern, accessories, colors, it’s a joy to watch!

I agree!

[@nelldrik]

Thank you for this! I was lucky enough to see this in cinemas before we got locked down & even though I don't know anything about Regency (or any era) fashion, I really appreciated the mood it set in this film, so all the insight your commentary provides makes that even more enjoyable! I also really wish I were able to teach myself to sew during this time, because I'm pretty sure I will never know complete happiness in life until I have my own yellow pelisse.

[@sylwienzik]

Hello Karolina. Any thoughts on the new Little Women movie? In terms of costumes off course... I have just seen another you tuber say that costumes were completely wrong, not historically correct and definitely not Oscar worthy. I wondered what your take is on that. Take care, I hope you're staying safe and healthy x

[@KasumiRINA]

I want to add that if she ever goes reviewing that, is that the costumes having "no corsets or crinoline" was a specific director's instruction, Greta Gerwig said that multiple times.

[@girlwiththegreenhair]

did you saw Micarah Tewers Video?

[@caffeinatedviolets2552]

Meme mom validates Emma what a wonderful day

[@katwernery6505]

You need to do more videos just like this! Love how knowledgeable you are and how much respect you have for designers! This video made me so happy and took away my worries! You are so made me really want to see this movie more than I already do

[@MsSarahKelly]

Thank you so much for doing such a thorough analysis of this film and all of the components that go into really making a period piece consistent with the real fashions of the time. You explained so many more layers and dimensions to a film like this one by explaining how every choice plays a vital role in telling the story as accurately and thoroughly as possible. It’s opened my eyes to how these kinds of details really can make or break a film, especially a period piece. The idea that different hair styles and textures; along with fabric choices and accessories, truly establish pieces of each character and their personalities, their priorities, the ability to decipher economic status, as well as their personal take on fashion and it all connects directly back to the story and the character. Thank you so much for adding these entire other ways to look at things like this in the future. I’ve always felt that accurate costumes, hair styles and correct fashion styles and trends of the era play into the story telling, but this is an entirely new in-depth perspective to approach watching a story be told. The layers and layers put together to create a character is just so much deeper than just the actor’s role of playing the character, the clothing, hair, accessories, fabrics, etc. just provide a great deal more intricate picture of the motives a person can have in the story, their goals, their perspectives of anything and everything, and so much more. This really has helped me examine film and story telling in an even more exciting and complete way.

[@hiimbluexx7979]

Idk why, but when I think about that sWeeT pErFeCT pOor giRl Jane Fairfax I imagine she looked like our meme mom. lol

[@teresadrag3213]

Love the review! However, I used to wear rag curls a lot when I was younger, and small clean curls are quite possible with rag curls.

[@L.Spencer]

I think she said that the way Emma's hair was shown in rags wouldn't have produced those small tight curls.

[@WhatsBliss]

I loved how ludicrously high and starched Mr. Elton’s collar was. It said so much about how his character viewed himself.

[@millernumber1]

Truly awesome video! So glad that the nuance of the script, actors, and directing, were reflected in the costumes too! Also, the costumer worked on Persuasion 25 years ago, which is another favorite of mine.

[@adriannavanoyen]

My family and I really enjoyed Emma- we loved that they weren't afraid of having dim lighting when so often regency films are too bright indoors, especially at night, and that they reused pieces in the characters' wardrobes- highlighting how the practice was to invest in a few high quality pieces and get a lot of use out of them (especially accessories like her coral earrings). 😀

[@KatelynKearns]

I have to say I freaking loved Emma's coral jewelry in the one scene with the black evening gown. It looked like it might have been original. But I'm severely partial to coral jewelry-particularly with black gowns. It's a color combo which I think is so elegant, and is period, too. But I did get more of an 1820s/1830s vibe throughout the movie with parasols/hair/bonnets/etc than 1815. But this is also not my era so what do I know. I appreciate the insights from someone who actually knows the era.

[@nora_n3ko324]

I absolutely loved Emma!!! I thought it was a wonderful adaptation of the book and the color palette was beautiful! Very bright and lively, but also pastel? It made Highbury look exactly how I would have imagined it 🥰

[@FilbieTron]

I love your perspective and passion about fashion. I honestly never thought twice about it but I love hearing you talk about it!

[@augusteangers4939]

Having seen Sex Education, I could not get the alien fantasies out of Mrs. Elton's character, so it made it a bit weird hahaha

[@lilyaurora7078]

Auguste Angers I knew I recognized her!!! Hahahaha

[@medealkemy]

And Robert Martin was played by Adam Geoff. I laughed so hard when I saw his face 😂

[@clarab325]

Auguste Angers ikr that’s just so weird 😂

[@Nadia1989]

The Bach in the back (LOL!) was a bit distracting for my inner music nerd.

[@Gangsterofoz]

you should do more of these! I love when you go through a film/television series' costumes - frigin gorgeous man! xx

[@miriamgillham6701]

I really appreciate the amount of knowledge shown on this video. Thank you for trying to give as authentic an overview of the regency era as you have done. Enjoyed this take on the Emma movie costumes so very much!