How To Recreate ‘Babylon’s’ Most Iconic Outfits (Without Breaking The Bank)

Babylon is a thrilling original film with an ensemble cast, starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Li Jun Li, Jean Smart, and Tobey Maguire. The film follows glitzy, glamorous characters as they navigate Hollywood throughout the 20s and 30s, but the story feels timeless. It contains the perfect blend of drama, heart, and humor — but one of its best features is the fashion. Although this was a period of reckless extravagance, you can recreate Babylon’s most iconic outfits without breaking the bank. 

Let your accessories do the talking.

You don’t need to purchase an entire new wardrobe when you want to change up your style. All you need are the right accessories. As Margot Robbie proves, extravagant necklaces and earrings are the key to a glamorous outfit. To recreate her look, you can simply add a string of pearls to your dress. Or you can add another staple accessory that she rocks throughout the film, like headbands, belts, or hats. They’re bold, glamorous statements that won’t cost you a fortune.  

Get creative and make your own clothes.

Babylon is about a group of dreamers who understand the importance of artistic innovation. Let these characters inspire you to create your own looks. Literally. You can pick up some fabric from your local craft store and sew your own dress. That might sound intimidating, but when you’re creating a dress without a waistline, like the ones featured in this film, it’s easy to make at home – and it will save you a ton of cash. 

Rent your party clothing for a cheaper price.

Babylon is filled with lavish parties, but you aren’t going to wear costumes as glamorous as these characters do every single day. Since you’re only dressing up for one night and you might never wear the same outfit again, try renting your clothing online. You can have special items shipped to you, wear them, and then bring them back without having to pay the full price. No one else will know the difference.

Pay extra attention to hair and makeup.

New clothing can add up when you’re packing your shopping cart, but as long as you have one or two statement pieces, you should be set. Remember, hair and makeup can change your entire appearance (and it won’t break the bank!). Rocking bright red lips, a curly updo, and heavy eye makeup like Margot Robbie does in this film will help you land the right aesthetic.

Choose the proper footwear for the occasion.

Looking fashionable isn’t enough. You need to feel good about what you’re wearing too. Remember, you don’t have to choose between aesthetics or comfort. You can have it all. That’s why you should ditch those thin high heels that are hard to walk in and stick to wearing lower, chunkier heels that you’re able to move around in — and dance in! That way, you’ll be able to have fun without sacrificing style. You’ll get the best of both worlds.

Mix and match your clothes and accessories.

The aesthetics in Babylon are beautiful because of their scope and scale. But little things can make all the difference in real life. All you have to do is make a slight change to an old outfit in order to make it feel brand new again. The same dress can be paired with different jewelry, hats, and makeup and it will suddenly be unrecognizable. Just like Babylon is the perfect blend of genres, you can create the perfect blend of clothes. All it takes is a little bit of creativity.

Wear your clothing with confidence.

The clothes you choose are only going to get you so far. If you really want to make an impact, you need to have the confidence to pull them off. Remember, fashion is all about having fun and showcasing your style. You should always be wearing outfits that make you feel confident — and make you feel more like you. Although the characters in Babylon are great style inspiration, don’t try to be them. Be yourself. They’re beautiful, but so are you!

See Babylon, only in theaters, December 23rd! Tickets are available here.