No matter how much effort filmmakers put into historical accuracy, wardrobe mistakes still slip through. Whether it’s an anachronistic accessory, a fashion trend decades ahead of its time, or a fabric that didn’t exist in the era portrayed, these errors can break the illusion of authenticity. While some costume blunders go unnoticed, others stand out like a sore thumb—pulling audiences out of the story.
1. A Dangerous Method – A Corset Worn Incorrectly
Keira Knightley’s performance in A Dangerous Method was gripping, but one costume detail turned heads for the wrong reasons. In one scene, her character appears wearing only a corset—something that would never have happened in reality.
During the period the film is set in (the early 20th century), corsets were always worn with undergarments beneath them. A proper outfit would include a chemise or shift underneath the corset to prevent chafing and provide modesty. The idea of a woman lounging in only a corset was purely a Hollywood invention, and it broke the historical authenticity of the film.
Video: 10 Shocking Movie Mistakes That Got History Completely Wrong
2. War & Peace – A Gown From the Future
The 2016 adaptation of War & Peace had a glaring fashion inaccuracy. Set in the early 19th century, the show follows the lives of Russian aristocrats during the Napoleonic Wars. However, Anna Pavlovna Scherer appears in a gown that looks like it was straight out of the 1950s.
Sleeveless dresses with open backs were not in style in the early 1800s. Women at the time typically wore empire-waist gowns with modest sleeves and high necklines. The costume designers may have wanted to add a modern touch, but in doing so, they sacrificed historical accuracy.
3. Little Women – Inaccurate Hairstyles
Little Women (2019), based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, is set in the 1860s—a time when elaborate updos were the norm for women. However, the film features Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), Amy March (Florence Pugh), and Meg March (Emma Watson) sporting modern-looking bangs.
While bangs weren’t unheard of back then, they didn’t resemble the straight, parted styles seen in the movie. Instead, women who wore bangs kept them short and curly. Historically, most women in the 1860s kept their hair pulled back in a bun or styled with ringlets. The characters’ hairstyles, while trendy today, don’t align with the period they were meant to represent.
Video: Top 10 Things Little Women (2019) Did Right & Wrong
4. Django Unchained – Sunglasses From the Wrong Century
Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained takes place in the 1850s, but Jamie Foxx’s Django wears a stylish pair of sunglasses that weren’t invented until much later.
While tinted glasses did exist in earlier centuries, they were mainly used for medical reasons, like treating syphilis or poor eyesight. Fashionable sunglasses like the ones Django wears didn’t become widely available until the 1920s. Though the look was undeniably cool, it was 100% historically inaccurate.
5. Singin’ in the Rain – A 1950s Dress in a 1920s Setting
The classic musical Singin’ in the Rain is set in the 1920s, a time of flapper dresses, dropped waists, and art deco fashion. However, one particular costume worn by Debbie Reynolds’ character, Kathy Selden, was completely out of place.
In a pivotal scene, Kathy appears in a pink dress with a fitted waist and full skirt—a style that didn’t become popular until the 1950s. The film itself was made in 1952, and it seems that the costume designers simply went with what was fashionable at the time rather than staying true to the 1920s aesthetic.
6. Seabiscuit – A Riding Helmet That Didn’t Exist Yet
In Seabiscuit, Tobey Maguire plays Red Pollard, the real-life jockey who rode the legendary racehorse in the 1930s. While the film does a great job of capturing the spirit of the era, there’s one small but significant costume mistake—Pollard wears a riding helmet with a chin strap, a design that didn’t exist at the time.
Jockey helmets of the 1930s were much simpler and lacked the modern safety features seen in the film. While this may seem like a minor oversight, it’s the kind of detail that sharp-eyed history buffs immediately pick up on.
7. The Tudors – The Ruffs Were Worn Incorrectly
The Tudors took many liberties with historical accuracy, but one of the most obvious mistakes was how the women wore their ruffs.
In the 16th century, ruffs were stiff collars attached to garments. However, in The Tudors, they were worn like necklaces, loosely draped around the neck. This was a complete break from reality.
Historically, ruffs weren’t just a fashion statement—they protected clothing from dirt and were later seen as a symbol of wealth and status. By changing their design, the show misrepresented an important aspect of Tudor-era fashion.
8. Troy – An Umbrella From the Wrong Time Period
The 2004 film Troy, starring Brad Pitt as Achilles, takes place in the 12th century BCE during the Trojan War. However, in one scene, Helen of Troy is seen holding a pink umbrella, which would not have existed in its depicted form at that time.
While ancient cultures did use sunshades, they were very different from modern umbrellas. In Ancient Greece and Rome, parasols were made from palm leaves, feathers, or papyrus—not the delicate, fabric-covered frames seen in the movie. The elegant pink umbrella was completely anachronistic and out of place.
9. Titanic – A Historically Inaccurate Corset
One of the most famous scenes in Titanic (1997) features Rose (Kate Winslet) being laced into a corset by her mother. While corsets were indeed a staple of early 20th-century fashion, the one she wears in the film isn’t quite right.
The 1910s corset was designed to create a smooth, elongated shape and was typically worn below the bust, allowing for a separate bra or chemise. However, the corset in the film fully covers her bust and has a curved top, which wasn’t the norm for that era. It looks more like a Victorian-era corset than one from the Edwardian period.
Final Thoughts: Costume Details Matter
Costumes play a crucial role in making period dramas feel authentic. While minor mistakes can be overlooked, glaring anachronisms—like wearing sunglasses in the 1800s or dressing in 1950s fashion during the 1920s—can pull audiences out of the story.
Filmmakers may take creative liberties for aesthetic reasons, but history buffs will always notice when something is just a little too modern for the time period. These nine films and series prove that even the best productions aren’t immune to costume blunders.
At the end of the day, accuracy might not be everything, but when it comes to historical films, even the smallest details can make all the difference.
