Costume and Styling Ideas

Costume and styling play a crucial role in defining the visual identity of my music video and enhancing the emotional depth of my main character. For this project, I chose simple, neutral-toned clothing to reflect innocence, vulnerability, and introspection, which aligns with the quiet, emotional tone of Everything I Wanted. Minimalistic styling allows the audience to focus on the character’s emotions and expressions rather than being distracted by elaborate or flashy costumes. This decision was reinforced by my research into how costume can subtly communicate personality and mood in media without the need for dialogue or overt action.

For example, in the music video Breathe Me by Sia, the singer wears loose, plain clothing, which helps convey fragility and emotional rawness. The costume choice supports the minimalistic setting and emphasizes the vulnerability of the character, making the audience connect to the internal struggle rather than external spectacle.


Another inspiration was the film Her (2013) by Spike Jonze. The main character’s wardrobe is dominated by soft, muted colors and understated textures, reflecting his introspective and emotional nature. This shows how even subtle costume choices can help the audience understand a character’s internal state and emotional tone. By using similar neutral palettes and unassuming styling, my character can communicate emotional complexity through appearance alone.



I also analysed Lost Cause by Billie Eilish, where the casual, muted clothing choices support a sense of everyday realism and approachability while reinforcing the emotional mood of the song. In my video, clothing will similarly avoid glamour or overt symbolism, relying instead on the emotional context created by performance, lighting, and framing. Simple styling ensures that the costume enhances the mood without overshadowing the character’s expressions or the interpretive visuals.

Through these inspirations, I learned that costume is a storytelling tool as much as lighting or framing. By making deliberate choices in colour, texture, and simplicity, I can reinforce the emotional tone, create visual cohesion, and ensure the audience focuses on the interpretive emotional narrative of the music video. This approach strengthens the connection between the character, the music, and the viewer.

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