‘Mean Girls’ Costume Designer Talks Cast Wardrobe and Addresses Critics

When followers first glimpsed outfits within the new adaptation of “Imply Women,” they had been not shy with feedback on the movie’s pink miniskirts and mesh bustiers.

On social media, some mentioned the costumes seemed low-cost, as if that they had come from fast-fashion retailers. Others mentioned they did not lean heavily enough on the Y2K style of the unique “Imply Women,” launched in 2004. And one online commentator mentioned the costumes appeared like an A.I. picture generator’s clumsy response to the immediate: “What do fashionable youngsters put on immediately?”

The wardrobes for the movie, which was launched on Jan. 12, weren’t created by synthetic intelligence however by Tom Broecker, the costume designer for “Saturday Evening Stay,” the place he has labored for practically 30 years. Mr. Broecker, 61, had no involvement within the unique “Imply Women.” He joined the crew of the variation after working with Tina Fey and Lorne Michaels — who had been concerned in each movies — on costumes for “S.N.L.” and for “30 Rock.”

Mr. Broecker mentioned the criticism of his work had made him “tremendous, tremendous, tremendous anxious” for the brand new movie’s launch. His purpose was to reference — however not redo — the wardrobes from the unique film, which had been created by the costume designer Mary Jane Fort, by imagining how its high-school-age characters may costume as members of Gen Z.

He cited the “horny Santa” costumes for a vacation expertise present scene in each movies for example. Within the adaptation, these outfits had been influenced by Ariana Grande’s music video for the tune “thank u, subsequent,” he mentioned, so he made them somewhat extra sparkly than the plasticky purple skirts within the unique.

Greater than 600 appears to be like had been created for the variation by Mr. Broecker and his six-person design group. Within the edited interview under, he explains how they got here up with the wardrobe — which, he mentioned, shouldn’t be judged by trailers and teasers alone.

“You’re solely getting the bread crumbs,” he mentioned, “whenever you actually need to have the entire 10-course meal.”

What did you consider the costuming within the unique movie?

After I noticed it then, I believed, That is enjoyable, that is highschool in 2004. Watching it now, I am going, Oh my God, these poor ladies had been so sexualized. However that’s 2024 eyes taking a look at 2004. I do know they didn’t really feel that approach in any respect, however you have a look at it now and notice that the world has modified.

The place did you look to search out inspiration for the way Gen Z is dressing?

We had been very influenced by Instagram and TikTok, and by celebrities like Billie Eilish, Jenna Ortega and Sydney Sweeney. I’ve a niece who graduated from highschool in Indiana final yr. I seemed by means of her closet and her Instagram. And I stay close to N.Y.U., so packs of scholars stroll by my condo on a regular basis in light-wash, straight-leg denims, white Nike sneakers and crop tops.

What did these references reveal about how individuals costume now?

The early aughts are very influential within the visible panorama of clothes proper now. Typically I might present Tina sure issues and she or he’d say, Oh my God, I feel I wore that earlier than.

Different issues have modified. Gender fluidity is an enormous factor for youths. And everybody desires to be comfy, particularly after the pandemic. So I dressed the excessive schoolers within the film in athleisure, like North Face, Patagonia and Champion hoodies.

Quick style has modified how younger individuals store. How a lot of that did you embrace?

In all probability greater than we must always have. Two manufacturers we used had been Cider and Princess Polly. I stayed away from Shein, however I did discover a piece or two secondhand.

I saved saying that we’ve to get into the thoughts of a high-school pupil, and that’s how they store. The administrators removed a mall scene that was within the unique as a result of youngsters don’t go to the mall anymore.

How did you differentiate costumes for the Plastics — the three standard ladies — from these for the scholars they reign over?

Everybody in the highschool has huge baggage and sneakers, apart from the Plastics, who’ve little purses and heels. They’re completely different than the people who find themselves weighed down by their books and grounded to the ground with their footwear.

Did you spend extra of your price range on garments for the Plastics?

Mainly the Plastics received all the cash. For Regina George (Reneé Rapp), we did Isabel Marant, streetwear like Off-White and quite a lot of classic stuff. Tom-Ford-era Nineteen Nineties Gucci was the inspiration for her homecoming costume.

Why do you assume individuals have reacted so strongly to the costumes within the adaptation?

I didn’t notice the nostalgia for the unique. It’s arduous to have one thing stand by itself when one thing exists that individuals love. However this isn’t that, and 2024 shouldn’t be 2004. We’ve modified how we really feel about quite a lot of issues. Because the tagline says, this isn’t your mother’s “Imply Women.”