From Nightmare on Elm Street and I Know What You Did Last Summer, to The Faculty, Lost Boys, and Jennifer’s Body, the hosts of fashion and film podcast Makeover Montage make a case for the best-dressed horror stars
What makes a good horror movie? An air of dread and suspense, sure, plus a healthy amount of blood and guts or supernatural goings-on, depending on what you’re into. But just as important, and oftentimes just as influential, are the clothes – there’s a reason we’re all referencing Drew Barrymore’s cream Scream sweater, Megan Fox’s shrunken baby hoodies in Jennifer’s Body, and the entire cast of The Craft’s Catholic-schoolgirl-gone-goth looks even now, over 20 years on.
It’s exactly this kind of thing that Marie Lodi and Blaire Bercy explore as part of their podcast Makeover Montage (formerly Fishnet Flix). The show’s hosts were born and raised in LA, where they both still live, and first met when they were working at lifestyle publisher HelloGiggles, bonding over a shared love of fashion, pop culture, and horror movies. The podcast itself kicked off in 2018, and gave Lodi and Bercy the space to dissect fashion in film and the ways in which it influences fashion and wider culture.
Past seasons have seen them interview costume designers like Clueless and Romy & Michele’s Mona May, and go deep on movies like Striptease and Zola as part of ‘Stripper Month’, Wild Things and Obsessed as part of ‘Erotic Thriller Month’, and the entire back catalogue of Drew Barrymore flicks, as they celebrate ‘Drewcember’ in [you guessed it] December. Whether part of gory slasher or vampire-focused seasons, Makeover Montage goes particularly heavy on the horror, and so, with that in mind, we’ve asked them to break down their fave teen scare-fests based on how hot their fashions are.
Click through the gallery below, and head here to read an interview with the directors of Talk To Me – surely the most terrifying movie to be dropped in 2023. Follow Makeover Montage here.
THE CRAFT [1996] Costumes by Deborah Everton
Not only do many of us now-adult witches namecheck The Craft as the impetus to a lifelong magickal practice, but the influence Nancy Downs (Fairuza Balk) and co had on our wardrobes is also something that needs to be commemorated. Those Manon-worshipping girlies were the blueprint for stylish witches everywhere, especially HWIC Nancy. Desecrated Catholic school uniforms, spiked dog collars worn as chokers, rosaries, patent leather trench coats, pointy boots, and red lipstick with black liner...it’s the look that never gets old. We are the weirdos, mister! [Marie]
SCREAM [1996] Costumes by Cynthia Bergstrom
Drew Barrymore's bloodied J.Crew sweater has its owncostume design mythos, but Rose McGowan's Tatum was the film’s real fashion queen. I wanted to dress like her so badly – the little turtleneck tops and colourful mini skirts, the cloud print Nick and Nora pyjamas, and the red track pants paired with the silver cropped ‘10’ jersey, which was an unintentional nod to Johnny Depp’s character of Glen in Nightmare on Elm Street. Cynthia Bergstrom, the film’s costume designer, told me once that it was Rose who found the piece. Legendary! [Marie]
THE LOST BOYS [1987] Costumes by Susan Becker
Don't get it twisted, every single one of those bad-boy bloodsuckers have enough style and charisma to make me want to GET BIT, but when I think about this classic teen vampire movie, the one outfit that stands out in my memories belongs to Marko (Alex Winter). I could write a whole dissertation on his get-up, which consists of leather chaps over jeans, a crop top (love a menz in crop tops), hand-painted boots, one single and sexy black skull earring, and the crème de la crème, his Levi’s denim jacket covered in vintage Italian tapestries (!) and miscellaneous patches, including one that references the movie The Warriors, and those rubber squid lures that you use for fishing. A truly underrated style icon. [Marie]
JENNIFER’S BODY [2009] Costumes by Katia Stano
This is an important movie to the pod, not just because Megan Fox’s outfits as Jennifer are absolutely sickening, but because when we did an episode on it, Blaire Sherlocked something major. Costume designer Katia Stano had sourced Jennifer’s famous heart print zip-up hoodie from Gap Kids. We freaked out at that little tidbit! This led to me doing a deep dive on the jacket for Buzzfeed News because it ended up being remade by Dolls Kill and a couple of indie designers [yes, I bought all three versions] Plus, Adam Brody’s in the movie. Hello, delicious. [Marie]
THE FACULTY [1998] Costumes by Michael T. Boyd
When it comes to 90s teen horror movies, it would be absolutely wrong to leave The Faculty off the list, even though the whole thing was technically a Tommy Hilfiger commercial! Because of a $30M deal between Dimension Films and Tommy Jeans, all of the lead characters are sporting their best Tommy Hilfiger garb, even the “goth,” played by our goddess Clea Duvall. I would love to talk to the costume designer about THAT whole thing. But I can’t complain too much because everyone looked good, and pretty realistic for that era [speaking for myself as a ‘90s teen]. Also shoutout to our forever hunk Josh Hartnett’s hair. I love this movie. [Marie]
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET [1984] Costumes by Dana Lyman
Johnny Depp’s Glen Lantz is sexy and serving the entire movie, but the lusty vibes that creep up from seeing him in a long-sleeved cropped jersey tee and sweats that sit dangerously low make Glen the king of the steamy summer boiler room hot nights – sorry, Freddy. I also appreciate that anyone can rock this and instantly look athletic and stylishly chill; the bonus is that it goes from horror cosplay to daily life. [Blaire]
SCREAM 2 [1997] Costumes by Kathleen Detoro
My favourite look comes from the opening scene: Jada Pinkett’s Maureen Evans date night outfit. I remember thinking how grown this moment was! D'Angelo’s voice rolling over Jada in what looks like a cashmere, wine-coloured cardigan tank set featuring silky spaghetti straps by Joseph, a satin berry lip, vampy nails, delicate earrings, v cut low rise slacks, and a rope mini sac/backpack. For me, this was summer date night goals. It’s mature and monochromatic, and made an impact for the short screen time it enjoyed. It’s the opposite of a blonde and cream Casey Becker [Scream, 1996], in that Maureen arrives on screen in shades of blood. My favourite Scream 2 fun fact is that Jada specifically asked Wes Craven for a “long and excruciating” death, which she absolutely got. [Blaire]
I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1998) Dan Lester
Brandy’s Karla Wilson getting ready for an all-expenses-paid beachy vacation with multiple wardrobe changes and a protective hair style. Her entire Bahamas wardrobe sparks summer envy. She has the perfect outfits for all vacation occasions and all of the tropical textures needed. Silks, gauzy tops, an animal print bikini, workout gear, and my favourite look: a chevron tank dress, chunky strap sandals, and a cowboy hat! Not to mention she keeps a fresh set of French tips on her hands and toes the entire time! [Blaire]
FEAR STREET PART ONE: 1994 [2021] Costumes by Amanda Ford
In my brain, teen slasher and mall culture go hand in hand, so I am a huge fan of the fashion in Fear Street Part One: 1994. From perfectly coiffed cheerleaders, grunge girls, to looks that scream Contempo Casuals (IYKYK) there is nostalgic inspo for all. The one piece of summer wardrobe advice we can take is that sheer tops are timeless and always in style. Grab one in black and throw something over it, like Maya Hawke’s Heather,or make it a colourful statement. Julia Rehwald's Kate is the shining costume star for the movie! Her wardrobe brings it in every scene, she looks like the perfect 90s Seventeen Magazine model.
Honourable mention: Fear Street Part Two: 1978 is loaded with classic stylish teen summer slasher looks a la Friday The 13th and Sleepaway Camp, as well as Carrie’s [1976] authentic high schooler outfits. [Blaire]
BODIES BODIES BODIES (2022) Costumes by Katina Danabassis
While the movie is not for everyone, the looks absolutely are. The entire friend group here is bursting with current Gen Z summer vibes. Everything from quiet luxury to straight-up party girl is represented by the ensemble cast in an authentically eclectic way. A little Gucci, some Zara, designer athleisure, and club outfits are all in this truly shoppable movie. I loved it because it was a trendy slide show of looks wrapped up with some death, sex, and drugs at a remote mansion. Just what I want from my summer horror. [Blaire]