How does costume affect character?

Clothes are an essential part of lifestyle and culture. People want to look nice whether it be to impress a certain someone, or just to feel good about ourselves. Nonetheless, they are a vital element in identifying who we are as individuals. The same goes for when appearing on screen. Characters should have a visual aspect that identifies who they are. A costume on the other hand, is more than an arrangement of clothes put together. They include small bits of detail that will altogether affect how an actor will perform.

There are two ways in which an actor can prepare himself/herself for a role, either internally or externally. I personally believe that the actor should start working from the inside as this will inherently affect how he presents himself on the outside. The acting comes as the primary and base component, while the costume comes like the icing on the cake and essentially adds another layer to the performance. But sometimes this can work in the reverse order. A costume may spark some new inspiration for an actor and allow them to deliver a performance that was otherwise unachievable beforehand.

It is also important that the choice of a costume accurately reflects what the character is. Are they extravagant, or simple? Clean or messy? Rich or poor? These qualities should add a nuance to how the character behaves. Take Training Day for example: Alonzo Harris (played by Denzel Washington) is a police detective. He wears black clothing, a leather jacket, a gun strap, and a few chains around his neck. What does the wearing of chains symbolize? That he isn’t the usual cop who goes by the standards? That he is more of a thug than a detective? To insinuate his corrupt behaviour? It is the small details within a character’s appearance that will reflect these traits. Each bit of detail adds to the character.

The aesthetics of characters can also bring significant assistance with setting up the theme or world of a story. For example, cowboys will give the indication of a Western film. An audience should be able to get a sense of who the characters are by seeing what they look like. With Training Day, the image of a detective would suggest that the story will involve crime and drama.