Wardrobe Fails That Ruined Our Favorite Films
There is no denying the fact that movies can be extremely expensive to make. This is probably why it is always so surprising to find any errors in such projects. Some fans have turned it into a hobby of sorts, trying to spot oversights or historical inaccuracies in movies. It can be fun to see what the cast and crew members didn’t catch, though let’s not be too harsh on them! We’re sure the costume team must have a lot of things on their mind, so there’s no need to rub it in.
We bet your favorite film is not immune to these subtle errors either. From Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and James Bond: Die Another Day to The Little Rascals, it seems like movies are simply impossible to perfect. They might cost a fortune, but perfection is always hard to attain. These errors range from small to extreme. Sometimes, it is just a subtle imperfection, though it can also pertain to larger, careless mistakes. Perhaps, an extra forgot to change into costume before taping begun or someone didn’t take off their pricey watch in time. Let us now take a look at these hilarious errors!
Legends of the Fall: Brad Pitt’s Blonde Hair Was Too Perfect
Brad Pitt was nothing short of gorgeous in this Western flick. He played Tristan Ludlow, the middle son of a Montanan family. It was set during the early 1900’s, and it received plenty of derision for the styling. Rightfully so! The actor’s wavy blonde hair flowed freely as if it were the 1960’s. The shave, likewise, wasn’t accurate for the period being depicted.
Legends Of The Fall
Troy: Umbrellas Didn’t Exist Then
This pink umbrella probably helped Orlando Bloom keep away from the sun during the shoots for Troy. However, the real Paris would not have enjoyed the shade! The Trojan War occurred years before the umbrella came into fashion. It would only be invented around the 5th century BCE, so the warriors from both sides of the war had to battle it out under the full heat of the sun.
Troy
Raiders of the Lost Ark: An Extra Is Actually Wearing Jeans
This one is pretty subtle, so you might not even notice if you weren’t actively looking for it. In the back, you can spot an extra in jeans and a shirt! This is a pretty common get-up nowadays, though we really don’t think anyone in Egypt during the 1930’s was rocking this look.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Pride and Prejudice: Rubber Boots Didn’t Exist Then
Joe Wright’s film adaptation definitely captured Austen’s lush imagery, as well as the unparalleled story of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy. However, there is something he got wrong. The story was set during the Regency, so there is no reason Keira should be wearing rubber boots! Wellington boots were only invented four decades after that.
Pride And Prejudice
Captain America (The First Avenger): Hair Needs To Be Up Here
No one will disagree with us when we say Hayley Atwell was beautiful in Captain America. However, Peggy Carter’s curls were highly inappropriate for anyone in the military. It might have been historically accurate, though military women had to pin it up at work.
Captain America
Gladiator: Crowe’s Lycra Shorts Don’t Make Sense
Okay, we concede that the leather outfit looked fantastic on Russell Crowe. However, the spandex shorts he wore underneath certainly detracted from the effect. Sadly, it can be seen several times throughout the movie! Moreover, it simply did not exist in ancient Rome. After all, the material was only introduced in the year 1962.
Gladiator
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Nazi’s Shouldn’t Be Wearing Medals
Up next, we have another installation from the Indiana Jones franchise. This time, it is for The Last Crusade. This iconic film was set during the late ‘30s, several years before the Second World War erupted. However, this also made the Nazis in the film a little inaccurate. They might love their medals, however, one must have fought in a war before they could earn it!
The Last Crusade
The King’s Speech: Wrong Kilt
The King’s Speech brought home the Academy Award for Best Picture back in 2011. It’s easy to see why – weren’t we all fascinated by the tale of King George VI? Kilt specialists, however, might have a problem with the film. Experts noticed that the kilt design was historically inaccurate. Apart from that, it was also an Irish design, not a Scottish Balmoral!
The Kings Speech
Glory: A Digital Watch During the Civil War, Really?
This error will be noticeable even if you are not an expert! Come on, a digital watch is completely out of place in anything set during the civil war. After all, wristwatches only came into existence during the late 19th century, and the digital ones were introduced in the ‘70s.
Glory
Captain America (The First Avenger): The Headset Didn’t Exist Yet
Captain America makes a second appearance on our list! We loved the movie, but we won’t let it go scot-free. Jim Morita had an earpiece on in the World War 2 superhero film. However, it was simply far too advanced, since that technology was only introduced a few years ago!
Captain America
Dirty Dancing: Baby’s Shorts Needed To Be A Skirt
This romance film came out in 1987, though it was actually set in 1963. The flick might have done well in certain aspects of filmmaking, though some people pointed out that the iconic jean shorts weren’t in style back then. It only came into fashion during the ‘80s. However, no one seemed to mind, and most people still dream of reenacting the movie’s legendary lift!
Dirty Dancing
Public Enemies: A Robe That’s Too Advanced
Johnny Depp might have been excellent as the infamous John Dillinger, but even great acting didn’t stop people from noticing a factual inaccuracy. During the Prohibition era, the judges’ robes were much stiffer and heavier than the present day ones. Isn’t it impressive that people noticed how light the jacket in the movie is for something set in that time period?
Public Enemies
Almost Famous: The Black Sabbath T-shirt
Who doesn’t adore this classic teen flick? It was full of charm and humor, though it doesn’t cover up for the out of place Black Sabbath shirt! The story was set in the year 1973, though they only started selling the printed shirts in 1997.
Almost Famous
Pearl Harbor: Bare Legs Weren’t Appropriate
We have had a number of World War 2 films here. The 2001 film Pearl Harbor joins the list! It got a spot here for the crew’s decision to show off the ladies’ bare legs. In the ‘40s, it would have been controversial for a woman to don a skirt without stockings underneath!
Pearl Harbor
Braveheart: Gibson’s Scottish Skirt Was Totally Premature
Now, you have to be living under a rock if you are not familiar with this classic. Sadly, it’s not perfect. The film might have been set in medieval Scotland, though people only started wearing kilts during the end of the 1600’s.
Braveheart
Django Unchained: Sunglasses Didn’t Exist Yet
This Civil War film is yet another great project from Quentin Tarantino. Though it is wildly popular, it is not without flaws. Interestingly, one such mistake happens to be the fact that the main character wears sunglasses. Rounded specs only saw mass production in 1929. However, fans didn’t really care, and it might have even caused a resurgence of its popularity!
Django
The Untouchables: Lapels Didn’t Exist Yet
The Untouchables is one of the best gangster films, no doubt about it. Observant viewers, however, found something wrong in the suit donned by Costner. It came with a lapel, though this would only become the norm sometime later.
The Untouchables
The Other Boleyn Girl: Portman’s Hair Needs To Be Pulled Back
Here’s the thing: French hoods were meant to cover women’s head during the Tudor period. It involved pulling the hair back in order to hide it under the garment. That’s why it was pretty laughable to see Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson sport the headpiece when their locks were on full display!
The Other Boleyn Girl
Saving Private Ryan: The Case Of The Black Boots
This is perhaps one of the best war movies in recent history. It might have been a work of art, though it is far from flawless. Case in point? The black boots Matt Damon wears in the film would not have been worn by the paratroopers, as the airborne only started sporting them a decade after World War 2.
Saving Private Ryan
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: Telescope Didn’t Exist Yet
In the film, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner had to use a telescope. If it were the real deal, however, they could not have done this. The story of Robin Hood was said to have happened in the 12th century, and the device was only invented in the 17th century.
Robin Hood
Catch Me If You Can: Braces Didn’t Exist Yet
The film had a wonderful cast, a thrilling story, and the talented Steven Spielberg. Regardless, the fascinating tale of the famous con man was told with several mistakes. As an example, take a look at how Amy Adams was wearing braces! The movie took place in 1963, while the orthodontic technology was only introduced in the 1970’s.
Catch Me If You Can
The Tudors: Wearing Ruffs Is Scandalous
Numerous viewers will understandably have a hard time catching errors in period movies. That’s why we have to thank the keen viewers who noticed a pretty big historical error. In the Tudor period, women did not don the ruffs without wearing an undershirt. It might have been aesthetically-pleasing, though it would have caused quite the ruckus.
The Tudors
Good Night and Good Luck: Name Tags Equal Nope
These days, you can easily identify military personnel thanks to their handy name tags. However, it appears the crew overlooked the fact that this practice was only introduced in the late ‘60s! The movie took place in the early ‘50s so the officers shouldn’t have been wearing the tags.
Good Night And Good Luck
American Hustle: No Rolex Watches In The 70’s
The film is pretty fast-paced so it must have been challenging catching the errors! Luckily, there are sharp-eyed fact-checkers among us. They caught onto the fact that Louis C.K.’s Rolex did not exist in the ‘70s!
American Hustle
Amadeus: Mozart’ Zippers Didn’t Exist Yet
Set in Austria during the 1700’s, the movie let us see what the musical genius’ life was like. The movie was beautiful, though the visible zippers detracted a little from the costumes. In fact, the zippers should not have existed at all since it was about a century too early for them.
Amadeus
The Color Purple: Clip-on Ties Didn’t Exist Yet
This film adaptation of the award-winning book reached critical acclaim on its own. However, there was something factually inaccurate regarding the wardrobe. The clip-on tie worn by Danny Glover had yet to be invented during the time period the story was set!
The Color Purple
Gangs of New York: Firefighters Modern Uniforms Don’t Make Sense
The film had a huge cast and perhaps this masked certain errors. However, one mistake did not escape everyone’s attention. In the movie, the firemen were actually wearing modern uniforms!
Gangs Of New York
Back to the Future: This Guitar Didn’t Exist Yet
Who doesn’t adore this universally-loved film? The CGI might have been a little shoddy, but it became a modern classic nonetheless. However, the crew members might have been confused with the time-traveling! When Marty played his solo on the Gibson, it was 1955. However, the model only came out in the year 1958.
Back To The Future
Schindler’s List: Women Didn’t Shave Then
This is a great movie as is evidenced by the incredible success it enjoys even up to the present day. It might have won many Oscars, though they did not bring home the Academy Award for costume design. Could this be due to the erroneous imagery? After all, it was highly unlikely for the women in the concentration camps to bother shaving their armpit and leg hair.
Schindlers List
Julius Caesar: Bullet Bras Didn’t Exist Yet
The bullet bra is certainly a memorable fashion phenomenon, though we’re glad it did not carry over from the 1950s. Back then, it was all the rage. However, fashion was completely different back in ancient Rome. That’s why no one in Julius Caesar should have been sporting them!
Julius Caesar The Bullet Bras Were Not Invented Yet
My Girl: Mood-rings Didn’t Exist Yet
My Girl starred the adorable Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin together. The movie, however, was set in 1972. That’s why it didn’t make sense for Vada to have a mood ring, since it was only invented three years later!
My Girl
Sense and Sensibility: The Baby’s Diaper
Here we have yet another Jane Austen adaptation: Sense and Sensibility. Diapers certainly existed during the Regency, though they should have used cloth instead!
Sense And Sensibility
Singin’ In the Rain: A Pink Dress? No Chance
The beautiful Debbie Reynolds may have passed, though we will never forget her rendition of Singin’ in the Rain. While her performance was excellent, let’s not forget how the pink dress was more fitting for the 50’s than the 20’s.
Singin’ In The Rain
The Doors: Ray Ban Sunglasses Didn’t Exist Yet
The movie The Doors told the story behind the 70’s rock star Jim Morrison, played by none other than Van Kilmer. The actor sported Ray-Ban sunnies for the whole duration of the movie. There is no denying the fact that it looked great, though the style actually came out in the ‘80s.
The Doors
The Wedding Singer: Barrymore’s Haircut = 10 Years Later
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore will forever be romcom royalties in our hearts. While The Wedding Singer makes for a fun viewing, we have to point out this error. Drew looked nothing short of fantastic with her haircut, though it was more 90’s than the 80’s.
The Wedding Singer
Picnic at Hanging Rock: Again Hair Makes The List
In Picnic at Hanging Rock, there was a certain Victorian charm to the wardrobe and styling. However, the hairstyles didn’t match the setting. It would not have been normal for young women to part their hair parted in the middle back then. Pinned up hair and tendrils around the face were far more common during the 1900’s!
Picnic At Hanging Rock
The Informant: Nike Golf Spikes Didn’t Exist Yet
Nike sure had an effective product placement in this movie, though it didn’t coincide with the timeline. After all, the film was set in 1992, and they only released those shoes in 1996.
The Informant
The Last Samurai: Tom Cruise’s Armor Was Too Old
In The Last Samurai, Tom Cruise portrayed an American soldier in Japan to train the local military officers in modern warfare. The 2003 film took place in the 1870’s. The armor the lead actor wore was impressive, though it was actually outdated for the time period.
The Last Samuri
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Modern Sunglasses
Here is another movie that likes to change the way time works: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Regardless, Brad Pitt’s Ray-Ban sunnies did not exist in 1945. They were only released in 1952!
The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Pirates of the Caribbean (The Curse of the Black Pearl): Redcoats – No Such Thing Then
This is a little bigger than a wardrobe mistake. In fact, the Red Coats from The Curse of the Black Pearl should not have existed! The Royal Marines had been wearing a different uniform back then. That unit was only formed in 1747, several decades after the setting of the movie.
Pirates Of The Caribbean The Curse Of The Black Pearl
Seabiscuit: Strapped Helmets Didn’t Exist Yet
Toby Maguire portrayed a jockey for this film and you will see him sporting a helmet that was only introduced in 1956. It might have been memorable headwear, though it doesn’t make sense as the movie took place during the Depression.
Seabiscuit
The Ten Commandments: Nefertiri’s Dress Is Just Too Advanced
Even until now, the religious drama is still viewed regularly during Lent. It took some liberties with the plot, though it seems this also applies to the wardrobe. Anna Baxter was stunning in the gorgeous blue dress as Nefertiti. However, it would have been impossible to produce the color back then.
The Ten Commandments
Pretty Woman: Vivian’s Gown Changes Length
You can catch this one by yourself if you keep your eyes peeled during the first kiss between Vivian and Edward. In the beginning, you will see that Vivian is wearing a long nightgown that magically shortens by the end of the same scene.
Pretty Woman
The Notebook: Lon’s Changing Hair Color
Allie and Noah forever, am I right?! However, Allie was supposed to get married to Lon. While he was recovering from his injuries, something happened to his hair. It turned from brown to black several times in the film!
The Notebook
There Will Be Blood: Waffle Shoes Didn’t Exist Then
There Will Be Blood is about a miner who later turned into an oil magnate during the late 19th century. The mistake? Day-Lewis had on waffle-soled boots even though these only came out in the 1970’s!
There Will Be Blood
Pompeii: No Purple Capes
Pompeii showed numerous characters donning purples capes. However, people would have been punished for it had it actually happened! After all, Nero declared that anyone else who wears the color would receive a death sentence.
Pompeii
Ben Hur: The Star of David
Jack Huston stars in Ben Hur: A Tale of The Christ, the new reiteration of the 1880 Lew Wallace novel. However, the Star of David his character wore was factually incorrect. It certainly made an impact, but it doesn’t align with historical facts as the symbol was introduced in the 12th century.
Ben Hur
Unforgiven: Belt Loops
This Western film gets a pass, but only because the masterpiece was directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman, as well. The story took place in Wyoming in the 1880’s, and this is why the belt loops in Gene Hackman’s trousers didn’t make sense. These provisions only became the norm back in the Roaring Twenties!
Unforgiven
Quadrophenia: Band Didn’t Exist Then
This movie gets a spot in the list thanks to the person sporting a Motorhead shirt. The story took place in the 1960’s, though the band was only formed in the year 1975.
Quadrophenia
The Great Escape: Trendy Clothes
Steve McQueen movies are not immune to such mistakes either! It was about World War II POWs, though it could have been set in the 1990’s, if one were to base it off the amount of khakis and denim cut-offs found in the film.
The Great Escape
Pretty Woman: Edward’s Tie
Pretty Woman appears a second time on our list. Now, we want you to focus on the scene with Vivian watching I Love Lucy and then removing Edward’s tie. She then proceeded to watch the TV, though in the next shot we can see Edward’s tie is fixed!
Pretty Woman Tie
Where Eagles Dare: It’s The Hair
Here is another Second World War story that isn’t immune from errors. In this movie, Ingrid Pitt looks fantastic with her hairdo, though it is actually inaccurate for a German woman in the 1940’s. It looked more like it came from the 1960’s if you ask us.
Where Eagles Dare
Pirates Of The Caribbean: Giddy Up
It’s no secret that the franchise had some great hats and headwear. However, cowboys as we know them now didn’t exist yet! That’s why the cowboy hat stood out like a sore thumb.
Pirates Of The Caribbean Cowboy
The Aviator: The Glasses
Let’s just say the frameless glasses Robert Gross sports in The Aviator looked far too modern for the 20’s.
The Aviator
Alien: That Helmet
This is yet another obvious error. Kane’s hood magically vanishes when the alien comes closer!
Alien
The Empire Strikes Back: That Jacket
Hans Solo is great, though we have to admit that it’s hard to come up with a reason for his magically disappearing jacket.
Empire Strikes Back
The Wizard Of Oz: Red Slippers?
Everyone was fascinated with the magical land of Oz, right? The ruby slippers became one of the best-known tidbits about the movie, though we have to say those look black to us.
The Wizard Of Oz
The Avengers: The Suit
Captain America is great, though this is the first time we’ve heard about the way his suit can heal itself. Hold on…it can’t do that!
The Avengers
Full Metal Jacket: Wrap
Wrist wraps just don’t disappear, even though the angles change. That’s why it’s pretty odd when this happened in Full Metal Jacket.
Full Metal Jacket
Harry Potter: The Suitcase
We’re sure Harry and Ron were under a lot of pressure when they couldn’t get through Platform 9 ¾. Maybe they got confused about which trunk belongs to them, though we bet it’s just a continuity error.
Harry Potter
The Mummy: Switching Sides
We all know how big The Mummy was when it first came out in 1999. However, you might have missed this one mistake the crew made. When the priests attack Rick and Jonathan, the two fought back. They stood side by side in the first shot, though the next shot showed they switched positions!
The Mummy Switching Sides
King Arthur: Everything
The movie is adapted from the myth, though that doesn’t give you a pass regarding credibility! Let’s just say that modern shoes have no reason to be in any depiction of the 5th century. That aside, the soldiers’ armor plates were far too heavy for battle!
King Arthur Everything
Zulu: Shaved Faces
In the time of the Zulu war, it was customary for British soldiers to wear handlebar mustaches. The clean-shaven look wasn’t considered fashionable at the time at all.
Zulu Shaved Faces
Hello, Dolly! Wrong Make-Up
Barbara Streisand is a goddess, and she did nothing wrong. Hello, Dolly! took place in the 1890’s, and she should not have been wearing 1960’s makeup.
Hello Dolly Make Up
Elizabeth I: Floating ruffs
If it seems silly now, take comfort in the fact that it would have looked silly back then as well. Neck ruffs should always be worn with a top!
Elizabeth I Floating Ruffs
Lord of the Rings: Watch
Gandalf might have impressive magical skills, but we highly doubt conjuring a digital wristwatch is one of them. Well, the movie did earn $3 billion and took home 17 Academy Awards, so what do we know?
Lord Of The Rings Watch
Braveheart: Man In The Back
Sometimes, it is just a random person unaware of what’s going on. It seems like this fellow here is a time traveler from the 21st century! Unfortunately, no one noticed at the time.
Braveheart Man In The Back
American Sniper: Baby
In the movie, Kyle holds his baby. Upon closer inspection, you might notice that it was a very realistic doll! Apparently, Clint Eastwood thought a doll would be easier to work with than a real one. Who wants a crying baby on set? Can’t blame him.
American Sniper Baby
Outlander: Expensive Material
The fabulous cloak Claire wears has a tartan lining. Back then, tartan was prohibitively expensive, and that’s why anyone lucky enough to own one would choose to wear it turned out, so everyone can see.
Outlander Expensive Material
Gone With The Wind: Electric Cables
Oh, how we adored watching Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh work together! The movie was set in the Civil War. That’s why it didn’t make sense for the lamps to have electrical cords.
Gone With The Wind Electric Cables
Star Wars: Knee Plate
When Darth Vader loses it, he holds the Rebel’s throat. Behind him, you might have seen a Stormtrooper missing a knee protector plate. The following close-up shot, however, show him with it!
Star Wars Knee Plate
Fast Five: Camerman
The movie involves an unbelievable amount of shooting and it must have been hard to shoot everything. That’s probably why the cameras appeared in several shots. As Mia and Brian jump off the roof, the gunman aims at them right as a cameraman aims at the gunman.
Fast Five Camerman
Iron Man: Blood Disappears
Perhaps, you are also wondering how Stark cleaned the blood off his mouth. One shot showed it dripping down his face, though it was gone in the following shot!
Iron Man Blood Disappears
Spiderman: Redhead Extra
Do you think this extra was paid for all the appearances she made in several shots? She pops up numerous times. But who knows, maybe she just left something in her car two times in a row.
Spiderman Redhead Extra
Pearl Harbor: The Scarf
Could it be the cold? When Rafe was going to leave for England, Evelyn wraps a scarf around him. However, it immediately disappears! In the shot following the last, he is wearing it again. Weird.
Pearl Harbor The Scarf
Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Disappearing Bracelet
Continuity errors occur in animated films, as well. Mindy’s gold band disappears and reappears multiple times.
Spongebob Squarepants Movie Disappearing Bracelet
Bad Boys II: Book Moves
The scene that made it qualify for the list is the scene involving Tapia and his daughter when she has a book in one hand. The following shot, she holds it in the other one!
Bad Boys II Book Moves
John Carter: A Revealing Costume
As a Martian warrior, Lynn Collins got plenty of attention. She admitted that the costume was revealing, though apparently her instructions made it that way. However, if they followed the books, it would have been worse! She would only have worn luxurious jewelry and nothing more.
John Carter A Revealing Costume