Studs in Top Duds

THE MOVIE: “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”

THE SETUP: Medieval action-adventure hero Robin of Locksley (Kevin Costner, pictured) lives among friends in Sherwood Forest, steals from the rich and gives to the poor, and ousts the corrupt, evil-minded Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Rickman). He also finds time to woo Maid Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio).

THE LOOK: Super studs. No green tights and feathered cap for this ‘90s Robin Hood. Daresay, this more manly looking version of the hero immortalized by Errol Flynn slings arrows in chaps-like leather slacks, generously studded jackets as well as boots, and bold-scale, hooded cloaks. Although costume designer John Bloomfield consulted period woodcuts, illuminated books and tapestries, he used reality as a reference, not a bible.

Aside from sidekick Azeem’s (Morgan Freeman) simple, yet fluid Mideast-like layers of trousers and cloth, the male characters subtly sparkle under layers of atmospheric dirt: The Sheriff of Nottingham’s bad-guy black ensembles shimmer with strips of gold and silver lame, jewels and metal studding; Will Scarlett (Christian Slater) appears in a menacingly beautiful black leather jacket embroidered with images of snarling dogs, and, of course, there’s Robin in a parade of ruggedly studded and embroidered jackets.

Marian’s two wedding dresses are exquisite. One consists of a silver muslin over-dress covered with pearls and embroidered strips, with a cream-colored, crinkled China silk gown underneath. The other dress is a collage of braid, silk and antique fabric patches topped with a dried flower headpiece.

THE SOURCES: All the costumes worn by the principal characters and most of the extras were designed by Bloomfield and made either by his workshop of seamstresses, tailors and fabric dyers at Shepperton Studios or under his direction at Angels costume house, both in England.

THE PAYOFF: Dynamic, original costumes that pay homage to the past without suffering from textbook realism and that twinkle with Hollywood fantasy.