What do you look for in a film? A riveting score? Compelling acting? Enthralling plot? One of the most crucial aspects common to all feature films is costume design. You wouldn’t see Queen Victoria in denim jeans and a halter top. Scarlett O’Hara wouldn’t have turned all those heads had she not been in her extravagant dresses. Whether an award-winning picture or under-appreciated indie project, costume design helps bring screenplays or novels to life and put the events into context. Otherwise, everything feels out of place. Here are 5 films that showcased exceptional talent in the costume department.

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

The 1971 cult classic gave us more than just iconic songs like “Pure Imagination” and “The Candy Man.” Gene Wilder’s portrayal of the eccentric chocolatier pairs perfectly with his top hat, purple coat, floral top, bowtie, and even the cane he insisted on using. The striped jumpsuits of the Oompa Loompa’s fit their not-quite-normal lifestyle and although Veruca is the most spoiled brat in the world, her red dress is the perfect representative for the bright colorful trends of the early 70s.

Lord of The Rings Trilogy

You don’t win 17 Oscars and bring to life one of the most beloved fantasy novels without a few fantastic outfits. Ngila Dickson and her 40 tailors created over 18,000 costumes for Lord of the Rings, with impeccable attention to detail. The Orcs are barbaric, the Elves are ethereal, the Men are rugged, and all are dressed accordingly. Many fantasy adventure films tend to look cheap or tacky in their medieval garb; LOTR’s execution was creative and imaginative while still feeling natural and cohesive.

Cleopatra

Once considered the most expensive movie ever made, Cleopatra (1963) cost $44 million to produce, the equivalent of $360 million in 2018. The opulent jewelry, ornate headpieces, and 65 different gowns were a testament to the exorbitant wealth and decadence the Pharaohs would indulge in. Elizabeth Taylor solidified the modern Cleopatra look in the infamous film, making the Egyptian Queen one of the most popular Halloween looks for women and girls.

Dazed and Confused

Set in 1976, the classic stoner flick shows students enjoying their last day of school, hoodlums causing mayhem, and Matthew McConaughey. Costume designer Kathy Dover claims every piece of clothing on the actors was vintage, sourced exclusively from Los Angeles and Texas warehouses. Milla Jovovich’s alluring character Michelle was her favorite in a long leather vest and strapless top. Dover’s idea to understate the popular kids’ attire and use secondhand clothing makes the whole film feel like they created it in the mid-70s instead of being a campy homage to an era gone by.

Black Panther

Superhero movies have come a long way since the days of Adam West’s Batman. Marvel’s Black Panther was awash with African-inspired tribal prints and patterns, intricate design, and futuristic themes. Ruth Carter became the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design; because of the chic design and bold statements, Wakanda felt like a real country for nearly 2 hours.

The cinema is where we go to get lost in an array of worlds. From mystical lands to dangerous battlefronts, every film needs a solid team of costume designers to help transform words on a piece of paper into captivating images on the silver screen. One wrong move can disinterest many moviegoers, while the best outfits can be the most memorable. Every ballgown, every trenchcoat, every earring, every single thing should be chosen and manufactured with careful consideration.