Revenge Never Looked So Good: The Gen Z-Inspired Costumes in Do Revenge
Revenge Never Looked So Good: The Gen Z-Inspired Costumes in Do Revenge
By: Kate Kimberlin
Released on September 16th, Do Revenge starring Maya Hawke and Camilia Mendes is a modern take on the classic high school drama film. Taking nods from films like Cruel Intentions and Heathers, the film follows a popular teenager’s fall from grace and an unlikely friendship to get revenge on her tormentors. While the story at its core has been done before, the introduction of modern styles and costuming propel the story and film to new heights and acclaim.
While the film primarily follows Drea and her fall from high school popularity, the film introduces many characters that represent different pillars of styles that Gen Z has grown fond of. This puts these characters into tropes that younger audiences can recognize, and adds personality to the characters all the same. Here are a few characters with the most notable wardrobes.
Drea (Camilla Mendes)
Drea, the protagonist, embodies the reimagined Gen-Z Queen-Bee through her story as well as her style. She is hardly ever found without a fun accessory or statement piece of clothing, even when in her pastel prep school uniform. Her silhouettes are tight, feminine, and sometimes hark from past runways of luxury brands. Yet, in true Gen Z fashion, she surprises audiences with her style every time she appears on screen.
Elanor (Maya Hawke)
The awkward new kid on the block turned Queen-Bee replacement takes shape in the form of Elanor. When the audience meets her, she is introduced as the fresh face that is rather blasè about her new surroundings. This can be reflected in her baggier silhouette, darker color palette, and lack of hairstyling. But upon Drea taking her under her wing as her accomplice, she experiments with color, silhouette, and texture, while still being true to her sense of self. Elanor’s rebellious spirit remains in outfits like her final one, in a power suit which was juxtaposed against Drea’s more traditionally feminine dress.
Gabbi (Talia Ryder)
An interesting style mediator, Gabbi is the embodiment of the Gen Z cool girl. Where Drea is put together in her outfit choice, Gabbi is effortless. Where Elanor is an untucked uniform shirt and beat up converse, Gabbi is round sunglasses and delicate jewelry. Her wardrobe is more specific than others, but is unified in experimenting with silhouettes and color palettes. She represents someone on their own fashion journey, away from her popular brother and their friends. And while not always the most put together, Gabbi is a symbol for all in Gen Z attempting to find their personal style away from the mainstream.
Russ (Rish Shah)
The unashamed outsider with blue hair, Russ is the leather jacket-wearing surfer who is interested in nature, art, and anything that does not involve his high school. He is an extremely fun blend of surf and punk styles, and looks extremely cool doing it. One scene he can be wearing a lock necklace and leather jacket with his uniform, and the next he can rock a muscle tee and basketball shorts with surfboard in hand. Russ is the multifaceted bad boy, who shows Drea that it is okay to not have a life plan at 18. He embodies this message perfectly in his wardrobe, his words, and his commitment to Drea in the end.
Netflix’s dark comedy Do Revenge is a fabulous and entertaining re-entry into the genre that utilizes fashion to tell the story of Gen Z and their unique high school experiences. These characters and their costuming represent the variety and individuality among the generation they portray.
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