Top 10 Best Costume Easter Eggs in Wicked

Anyone who knows “The Wizard of Oz” remembers the scene of Dorothy and her friends falling asleep in the poppy fields. Inspired by the sedative properties of poppies, “Wicked” takes this idea one step further. In the opening number, we briefly meet the Wicked Witch of the West’s mother, Mrs. Thropp. She is outfitted in a red dress inspired by the flowering plant, which costume designer Paul Tazewell describes as an upside down poppy. This isn’t just a callback. It’s a reference to the Elixir she drinks, which we get a glimpse of during her brief appearance in the film. Tazewell carried the motif into Nessarose’s clothing as well.

As the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University, Madame Morrible is all bluster. Her genuine magic capabilities let her command the wind and control the weather, and you need look no further than her styling to know that. Her various cloaks, robes, and gowns all feature symbols inspired by astronomy. Moons, suns, stars, and all sorts of powerful occult symbols can be seen in her attire, whether it’s in the ornate patterns or in the precise embroidery. Also, note the hair. That spiral grey updo very much connotes the clouds.

If you don’t know what happens in part two, you better skip this one. In the original “Wicked” musical and the book it’s based on, Elphaba tries to protect Fiyero and inadvertently curses him instead. The consequence of her spell is that Fiyero becomes the Scarecrow who will accompany Dorothy on her quest to the Emerald City. Eagle-eyed viewers familiar with the original show may have caught a subtle nod to his fate right there on his sleeve. No, literally, there’s embroidery in the shape of wheat stitched into the sleeves of his fine shirts.

Despite all the students at Shiz University wearing the same uniform, costume designer Paul Tazewell wanted to find a way to weave each student’s individual personality into their own look. As a result, every character’s uniform is just a little bit different. And we’re not just talking about the protagonists, or the secondary characters either. Every student on screen, even those who aren’t named, are styled in such a way that no one looks exactly the same. Some students wear sweaters instead of jackets. Some have solid patterns while others have stripes. It’s all about each character’s expression.

The intense and emotional Ozdust Ballroom scene is a look into the fiercest fashions Oz has to offer. It’s the moment Galinda spurns public opinion for the first time as she dances with Elphaba. Seeing as it’s such a pivotal moment in Galinda’s character arc, it’s well worth noting that it’s easily her boldest outfit choice. Instead of her usual pastels, she’s dressed in a frilly and fiery pink and orange number that’s not quite so prim as what we’re used to seeing her wear. Inspired by the color gradation of roses Paul Tazewell glimpsed in London’s Regent’s Park, the delicate look features a stunning ombre effect.

Throughout her time at Shiz University, Elphaba Thropp goes from combative, defensive outcast to the semi-popular paragon of excellence. Though this comes at a great cost, she is a freer and more fully realized version of herself by the end. That journey is also reflected in her clothing. At the start, she is outfitted in more modest and restrictive clothing. In fact, her early costumes are based on turn-of-the-century Victorian garments. By the time she’s defying gravity, she’s in attire that’s so free-flowing it seems almost as limitless as her potential. The same principle applies to her nails, which also grow longer as the film goes on.

One of the changes to the original “Oz” story is actually as old as the 1939 movie. In L. Frank Baum’s original book, the bejeweled slippers Dorothy ends up wearing are actually made of silver. This was changed to ruby for the film because MGM wanted to take advantage of the rich vibrancy of newly implemented Technicolor. In 2024’s “Wicked”, we see the slippers reverted back to their original color. But, the ruby shoes haven’t been completely left out. In the sequence where Galinda vows to make Elphaba “Popular,” there’s a very quick moment where Galinda hands her roommate some familiar footwear – which she of course has to click together first.

Gifted to her by her father, Nessarose’s slippers are a dazzling set of heels with beaded silver embedded in them. Fans of the musical know this is no throwaway moment. These slippers will come into play in the second half of the story. But their striking appearance in “Wicked: Part 1” has a lot of fun details. For starters, the heel itself looks like a tornado, carrying the same spiral motif Paul Tazewell added to many of the looks. Also, peep the striped socks Nessarose wears in some of her scenes. Now don’t those look familiar?

According to Paul Tazewell, the Broadway production of “Wicked” actually ran into a legal snafu with the film studio who still owned “The Wizard of Oz” at that time. Those designers ended up going with a blue dress instead. Tazewell brought back the pink look, and we’re so glad he did. When Glinda comes down to Munchkinland in her pink bubble, she’s wearing a look influenced by the film’s spiral motif. Both the dress’s construction and design took inspiration from the Fibonacci spiral, which helps give a lot of body to the garment. At the base of the skirt, you’ll also be able to spot embroidered bubbles and circular shapes.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Elphaba Is the Only Green We See… Until We Get to the Emerald City, of Course

The Peignoir & Teddy Underneath Reference the Period When the Original Film Was Made

Her Wardrobe Changes as She Matures as a Person

Many of the Costumes & Sets Sport a Spiral Motif, Inspired by the Original Film

Jeff Goldblum’s Costumes Are a Nod to His Character’s Carnival Background

Despite wearing mostly black, the future Wicked Witch of the West’s clothing is full of fascinating and intricate details that really pop on screen. Pleated fabric and ruffles are used to give her looks some dimension and texture. Paul Tazewell felt that Elphaba was distinctly aligned with nature. Not only is she green, but she also becomes a staunch savior for the animals of Oz. Her ecological-inspired outfits reflect this part of her personality. These designs are directly adapted from the natural world. In fact, the costuming of several looks was inspired specifically by mushrooms and other fungi.

What was your favorite look in “Wicked?” Let us know in the comments.