Fashion in Film Volume 14: Beetlejuice
It’s no secret that I’m a big Tim Burton fan, so for this weeks installment I’d like to discuss one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE FILMS: Beetlejuice. I know I may have used the term “all time favorite” loosely in the past, but really – Beetlejuice and I go way back and it’s actually been one of the films that’s shaped my tastes and love of films in general. Beetlejuice tells the story of a recently deceased couple who become ghosts and contract the services of a devious “bio-exorcist” (Betelgeuse from the underworld) in order to remove the obnoxious new owners of their house…hilarity ensues.
My favorite character of the film (exceptionally played by Winona Ryder) was by far Lydia Deetz AKA the coolest teen witch around. Lydia is actually still a huge style inspiration and icon to me and has shaped many of my fashion choices. She was the typical bored, teenage outcast who dyed her hair black (with spiked bangs), hollowed smokey eyes, dressed in macabre clothes – and befriended the household ghosts. She really was a classic example of a goth…no clunky shoes, no slipknot t-shirts…none of that! Lydia did it all by herself with just black, and of course, her camera. Not to mention her flowery veil was too brilliant for words!! With her somber attitutude and sense of humor as dark as her wardrobe, Lydia was not one to be swayed by things like the paranormal or conventional styling choices. She is truly fabulous! With all that said, I also can’t finish without mentioning that Michael Keaton does a killer role in the title part of Beetlejuice and that burgundy velvet suit and ruffle tuxedo shirt is pretty amazing…I have to give him a little credit for that!
This film has definitely inspired me to tap into the strange and unusual! I will never stop looking to the eternally weird and wonderful stylings of goth princess Lydia Deetz for sartorial inspiration. Make sure to check out the amazing photo gallery of all the fashion in this film…And while you’re at it, check out last weeks installment on the punk rock film Times Square!
