Last year, we covered the story of how director Robert Pattinson nearly fell off the radar after a string of misfires, but thanks to a lucky break and the support of his fans, he is back with a vengeance. Fresh off the success of his last film, The Lighthouse, he is back with another passion project, this time set in Gotham City. Fans of the late Batman comic books creator will remember that his most famous character was originally called the Robinsons until his mother, Florence, christened him after seeing the actor’s newborn son, Alfred, in a nappy. Inspired by the Dark Knight’s rebellious nature and unyielding morals, Pattinson is determined to bring the Caped Crusader to life on the big screen.
While the public waits with baited breath for Pattinson to bring his talents to bear on one of the most recognizable figures in popular culture, fans of the actor have been busy tweeting, posting, and generally keeping busy in the shadows until the moment of truth arrives and they can bask in the glory that is guaranteed to accompany this massive undertaking. Batman may be a household name and a recognizable figure among millions, but that did not stop Pattinson from having to go through countless iterations of the caped crusader’s costume before he found one that felt right.
How Did Batman’s Fashion Changes?
When it comes to fashion, the world of comics is far more complicated than the mundanity of real life would have you believe. Take for example, the question of what does Batman’s fashion look like? Well, obviously he is not going to wear a Maison Margiela t-shirt, and his clothes are not going to look like something out of GQ. However, there are several significant periods in Batman’s life when his fashion choices were just as influential as his actions as the Dark Knight. Batman evolved from the original dime-store hunter, androgyny, and leather-wearing crusader wearing heavy, baggy clothes into a sleek, stylish figure who does not hesitate to shock the public with his eclectic style.
The Timeless Style of The Dark Knight
It may not sound like it, but the fashion choices and general attitude of Batman have not changed all that much over the years. The character was created in 1939, and his style has remained fairly consistent with only minor iterations here and there. This is probably because the man himself has remained fairly constant and does not show a lot of change, making him less susceptible to fashion trends.
Batman is often praised for his no-nonsense approach to fashion, and this praise is well-deserved. The character does not feel the need to fit into the current trends in order to feel unique and individual. Instead, he sticks to what he knows and understands, which are good old-fashioned staples like heavy denim, simple but classic tee-shirts, and sneakers. This simplicity is what makes Batman so attractive to modern-day fashion fans and style-conscious individuals: he does not need a lot of fancy dresses, elaborate wardrobes, or trendy outfits in order to feel distinctive and stylish.
The Rise of the Villains’ Fashion
One of the most interesting periods in Batman’s history was in the early ’70s, around the time that Frederic Malle reintroduced us to the silhouette of the 80s. The most interesting thing about this era is not just the clothes themselves, but what the clothes tell us about the personalities of the fashion-related inhabitants of Gotham City. We learned a lot about the different types of people who live there, and we can apply this learning to our own lives. Let’s have a look, shall we?
Elaborate, Classy Wardrobe
The first thing we learned about the fashion denizens of Gotham City is that they are very elaborate. Naturally, we expect this from a city that is home to Bruce Wayne, who is a billionaire playboy and owner of an entertainment company. In the film, even the most expensive items of clothing are not out of place in the wardrobes of either of the two billionaires, as you can see from the images below.
It is easy to understand how Bruce Wayne, who embodies the spirit of the adventurous billionaire, could amass such a classy wardrobe. He is a man who loves a good fight and enjoys shocking the public with his attention-grabbing fashion choices. He is a man who has fun, and who knows how to have fun. Naturally, his fashion choices reflect this adventurous spirit. He is often seen in leather pants, very trendy sneakers, and colorful shirts with prints on them.
On the other hand, the more traditional and elegant millionaire, Thomas Wayne, has a very classy and classic wardrobe. His attire is simple, but no less stylish for being so. We believe he might have been a student of the great Alberto Mieli, and that is probably why he has incorporated many of Mieli’s stylings into his own fashion choices.
Dressing To Impress
One of the key things we learned about the fashion inhabitants of Gotham City is that they are a lot more attentive to appearances. Naturally, this is because that is how they define themselves and their identities: through their style, their clothes, their looks. They spend a lot of time and effort on their clothes and appearances, and this is why we see so many colorful, eye-catching outfits in Gotham City. There is a competition among the various social groups in the city to see who can dress the best and shock the public the most.
The women of Gotham City especially love to impress the public with extravagant outfits and unusual choices of clothing. They are a very bold and boisterous breed of women, and we can see this from the choice of the ensembles they wear: very bright, eye-catching colors, and unusual combinations of clothes and accessories. For example, we see a lot of red outfits, and a lot of black outfits as well. This is probably because these are the two main colors that occur frequently in the comics.
We also learn from the films that the citizens of Gotham City love to dress for the occasion. This is why we see so many fancy and unique outfits even at official or business events, like company parties and charity galas. We see a lot of costumes, beautiful women, and expensive jewelry, because this is what the people of Gotham City love to wear. Naturally, the city is full of eccentric individuals who like to play with color and style, so it is no wonder that the occasion did not go unnoticed by anyone.
Dress To Impress, Then Fight!
For the last 20 years, audiences have been treated to a series of Batman films that have all had one thing in common: action-adventure, a good fight, and a memorable character arc. What is not to like? The world is a dangerous place, and human beings are not always as noble as we would wish them to be, as shown in these Batman films. Naturally, when given the opportunity, we would like to see these individuals show some style, and not just fight in a grungy manner.
The citizens of Gotham City are not known for being the most polite people. They are brash, and they are often prone to insulting others, especially those whom they think deserve it. Naturally, this is how they get their kicks: they express themselves through their clothing and their fight-wear, which is why we see a lot of colorful t-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers. This is why the fight sequences in these films are so cool and fashionable, because the camera captures this spirit of excitement and the audience can share in the fun.
This excitement is what makes the films so appealing. Naturally, children also love these films because they are filled with exciting battles and unpredictable plots. It is no wonder that the character has stood the test of time and continues to be popular today. We can safely assume that Batman will be around for many, many years to come.
Do you think that fashion-related individuals like Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth would make good mentors for stylish young people, and would you like to see them bring this style to your own wardrobe?