Top 10 Best Villain Outfits
#10: O-Ren Ishii’s White Kimono “Kill Bill: Volume 1” (2003)
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You’d think that white might be an odd choice of outerwear for a Tarantino assassin, especially one who loves a good beheading. After all, blood isn’t an easy stain to get out. But the queen of Tokyo’s underworld deserves a look worthy of crime royalty. In O-Ren Ishii’s final fight scene with the Bride, the “Kill Bill” villainess makes a statement in a pure white kimono. The snow-covered garden and O-Ren’s style of dress make direct reference to a Japanese movie called “Lady Snowblood.” The outfit emphasizes the assassin’s pride in her Japanese heritage and the graceful movements deployed in her samurai fighting style are shown off to great effect. She looks as innocent as the driven snow, but we know better.
#9: Heather Chandler’s Plaid & Scrunchie “Heathers” (1988)
Before Regina George laid down the style laws for the Plastics, another queen bee led her clique to a place in the movie fashion hall of fame. The Heathers are eighties icons and their look would later be replicated in the popular musical. There’s the big hair, the plaid, and of course those jackets with the vast padded shoulders. Heather Chandler is never seen without her red scrunchie, which completes her trademark look with a splash of color. It’s also an indication of her power, marking her out as the girl at the top of the social hierarchy. The infamous scrunchie later passes to Heather Duke and is finally stolen by Veronica, in order to break the chain of command.
#8: Everything the Wicked Stepmother Wears “Cinderella” (2015)
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Disney’s live-action “Cinderella” remake went all out with the costumes, from the step-sisters’ outlandish outfits to Ella’s beautiful ball dress. The rags to riches transformation was glorious to behold, but our heroine had a definite style rival in the form of Cate Blanchett’s wicked stepmother. From her very first appearance, Lady Tremaine brings a touch of old Hollywood glamor to the proceedings. Her sweeping skirts take up space and are accessorized with wide-brimmed hats, veils, and gloves. In contrast to Cinderella’s pretty pastels, she keeps to a more mature color palette of black, greens, and gold - or sometimes purples. Even her dressing gown is pure luxury. She may be wicked, but she looks so good!
#7: The Goblin King’s Style “Labyrinth” (1986)
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Cult classic “Labyrinth” exudes eighties glam rock and is most notable for the late David Bowie’s star turn as the nefarious Goblin King. Jareth isn’t your typical goblin - he’s eccentric, seductive, and well-turned out. In his sweeping capes, tight trousers, and ruffled blouses, this mysterious antagonist stole away teenage hearts along with that baby. His pantomime villain-meets-rock star styling is incredibly over the top. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for the fun, fantasy setting and lends the character the required air of campy mystique. Whether he’s dancing with his goblin court or at a masquerade ball, Bowie’s Goblin King demands to be the center of attention.
#6: Loki in Green & Gold “The Avengers” (2012)
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He might be the avengers’ resident villain, but everyone’s got a bit of a soft spot for Loki, the pasty emo kid to Thor’s muscular golden boy. The trickster god dresses in black, gold, and green, often donning a pair of curved goat horns. These are an Asgardian symbol, which indicates his powerful magical abilities. Costume designer, Charlie Wen, drew inspiration from the Marvel comics when putting together Loki’s ensembles, but gave his look a futuristic twist. As Loki is more of a schemer than a fighter, Wen designed his armor to be “more overtly ceremonial than practical” - and what’s a supervillain without his cape? Loki’s appearance has evolved over the course of the Marvel movies, but he’s always instantly recognizable as our favorite antagonist.
#5: Harley Quinn’s Look “Suicide Squad” (2016)
Since Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn burst onto our screens in 2016, her punky supervillain vibes have inspired an army of Halloween costumes. Like the Joker before her, Quinn’s look changes with each new incarnation of the character. In the early days, her costume matched her name, which was inspired by the clownish Harlequin figure from 16th-century theater. The modern-day Harley is still mad, bad, and dangerous to know, but now she’s got a whole new wardrobe. Her dip-dyed hair and statement makeup are a nod to the harlequin, but the rest is all her own. In “The Suicide Squad” we see a return to Quinn’s original red and black, but her outfits from the first movie remain the most iconic.
#4: The Sanderson Sisters’ Bewitching Wear “Hocus Pocus” franchise (1993-)
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“Hocus Pocus” is up there with the most successful Halloween movies of all time and the Sanderson sisters have become instantly recognizable. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker attack their roles with gleeful energy and their outfits are designed to highlight each witch’s individual personality. “Sarah played the little beauty queen… She was more like a Sleeping Beauty princess,” says costume designer, Mary Vogt. Meanwhile, Mary was meant to look like a “witch baker.” Director Kenny Ortega wanted to avoid basic black witch outfits, especially for Midler, requesting instead “something that’s colorful and fun and has a little sparkle to it.” The costume designer definitely understood the brief, creating some of the most memorable witching wear in movie history.
#3: Catwoman’s Catsuit “Batman Returns” (1992)
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The DC universe isn’t short on villainesses, from Harley Quinn to Poison Ivy, but Catwoman has to be the most iconic. She’s been portrayed by multiple actresses over the years but it’s Michelle Pfeiffer’s incarnation who really steals the show. Her famous catsuit was also created by “Hocus Pocus” costume designer Mary Vogt, who told AnOther, “We knew we wanted it to be black and sexy and tight and shiny.” Director Tim Burton had the idea that the costume would have visible stitches, to give the impression that Catwoman was coming apart at the seams. These were glued on and brushed with silicon, giving the suit an extra shiny effect. “That costume is all about the light,” says Vogt, “and of course, all about Michelle.”
#2: Maleficent’s Trademark Ensemble “Sleeping Beauty” (1959) & “Maleficent” (2014)
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“Sleeping Beauty” gave us one of Disney’s best villains, taking the wicked fairy from the original children’s tale and making her so much more. Maleficent is the movie’s most memorable character, holding audiences rapt with her distinctive speaking voice and poisonous charisma. Her costume is also a defining part of her character. The horned headdress and flame-like purple sleeve-lining have hellish associations and her trademark black marks her as strikingly different in appearance from the other fairies. In 2014’s “Maleficent” the mistress of all evil made a dramatic return to our screens in sweeping black capes and those familiar horns. Wings or no wings, she remains as captivating as ever.
#1: Cruella de Vil in Fur “101 Dalmatians” (1996)
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Cruella de Vil began life as the devilish, fur-loving antagonist of Dodie Smith’s 1950s children’s novel. Her hair already makes a statement, but with each new retelling of Cruella’s story she takes up more space. In Disney’s animated adaptation she stole the show and by 1996’s live-action remake the villainess had her own fashion house and a wardrobe of wonderful outfits. Emma Stone resurrected the character in a recent prequel that leaned into the fashion angle, but Glenn Close’s Cruella still has the edge. Oscar winner Anthony Powell designed her dramatic designer looks, utilizing plenty of black and white, animal print, and of course, fur. Don’t worry though, Close insisted that they use faux fur - proving that fake can still be fabulous.
