[Original] - DRESS LIKE A SCREAM QUEEN

THE MADONNA/WHORE COMPLEX AND YOU

For as a long as there have been people, probably, dudes across the world have been categorizing women into two categories: the “good” women who deserve love and protection and the “bad” women who don’t. This dichotomy is a fundamental tool of oppression that has been used for centuries to keep women in line with social conventions (and punish those who break them). Cool, but what does that have to do with slasher films (and more importantly, the costumes worn by characters in slasher films)??

A lot, actually.

THE FINAL GIRL

As equally a defining feature of the genre as the slasher himself, the Final Girl is an unassuming “girl next door type” who is the only character capable of facing down the killer and living to see another day (and the sequel).

Friday the 13th (1980)

Scream (1996)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Halloween (1978)

Patterns in their character designs:

-       minimal “natural” make up

-       often a brunette* 

-       loose, boyish silhouettes

-    more conservative, in coverage and color palette

-       shy & virginal**

*Alice and Laurie are blondes, but note how different their hairstyles are from their friends.

** This changed in the 90s largely because of Buffy, who was conceived as the anti-final girl. Lampshaded pretty effectivelyin Scream

The Final Girl's character design is in sharp contrast to her worldlier, more disposable friends. Note the more obvious presentations of femininity

-       usually blonde

-       heavy make up

-       close fitting clothes, skirts,

-       outgoing, overtly sexual

OUTFITTING YOURSELF FOR SURVIVAL

Collared shirts, check.

Crew neck sweaters, check.

Cute pajamas, for when your boyfriend sneaks in your window, check.

Sexier pajamas, for when the killer sneaks in your window, check.