The Costumes of Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time there was a TV show with costumes so fantastical and gorgeous that all the young ladies who watched it fell hopelessly in love with the gorgeous dresses.

Well, maybe not all, but clearly the costuming department of ABC's "Once Upon a Time" has been working overtime to cloth its fairy tale citizens in gorgeous gowns, suits and armor worthy of Disney's visual history. In fact there are so many costumes that although I've spent the last month collecting pictures, I know this post is really going to just scratch the surface of the show's offerings. So I ask your pardon in advance if your favorite piece is not featured here. A big problem was finding good quality pictures of the Enchanted Forest costumes, so if you've got a good shot of a costume that was not included, send me a link and I'll add it!

First off, a few cool links I found that you might find interesting:

Emilie de Ravin (Belle) talks about the quality of the costumes on the show.
Eduardo Castro's design sketches for Once Upon a Time.
Detailed blog post from the Milliner who created the Mad Hatter's hats (and others!).

Above: although the detailing would prove impractical in real life, it nonetheless makes for pretty eye-candy here on the Huntsman. (Remember him? Poor, offed Graham?)

Above: as Hansel and Gretel flee through the woods, we get a good look at the detailing at the bottom of Gretel's skirt. No way to tell if it's a print or embroidery, but whatever it is it's very bohemian and rich.

Above: What's with the plunging necklines, Regina? Your dresses are so gorgeous, but you're not evil queen yet, you're the wife of a respectable king. Why is he letting you display yourself like this?

Above: How many variations on a white dress can we get? This beautifully detailed bodice with the delicate lace sleeves would make a gorgeous wedding dress, should Disney decide to add it to its line of wedding gowns. 

Above: Speaking of wedding gowns, Snow turns birdlike in this feathery frock. Does this have anything to do with Emma's real world last name of Swan? (I still think Emma could be the Swan Princess)

Above: It's not only the girls who get the gorgeous costumes in Once Upon a Time. Just look at the details and layering of lace on this regal robe for Snow's father!

 Above: I was delighted to see that OUaT didn't feel it necessary to copy the Disney gown in anything other than color here. Instead we got an absolutely phenomenally detailed gown with hundreds of flower embellishments.

Above: And as you can see here, the flowers continue down into the skirt.

Above: Here is our first look at Red. While her skirt is far too rich for a peasant girl, her bodice is absolutely gorgeous and I like the addition of the red gloves.

 Above: It was notoriously hard to find a good picture of Belle's yellow gown, but this scan gives us a good look at the detailing on her bodice.

Above: In contrast to the white purity evocative of an innocent dove in Snow's wedding gown, Regina's bird-like cloak reminds us of a crafty raven.

Above: Here is a good look at the rich gold trims and buttons on Prince Charming's royal coat.

Above: Here is a fairly good look at Regina's riding costume. Rich black brocade, scaly leather caplet, a sharply tailored corset and a jaunty black hat show this is a rich, independent and dangerous woman.

Above: Here we can see clearly the extensive detailing in Rumple's leather coat. It's heavily worn and crafted to give him a very animal-like appearance. However, despite its earthy tones, it is far too detailed a piece to belong to a peasant. He is a man of means.

Above: Here we see another outfit, this one featuring a tighter cut coat and awesome lace-up pants. Definitely some punk rocker influences here...

Above: In contrast to Rumple's details, we get Prince Charming's relatively simple woods outfit. It's in good condition, but otherwise does little to convey that he's a prince.

Above: Here we get a glimpse of Cinderella's fairy godmother in a gown that I wish had gotten more screen time. Just look at the layers and panels in that skirt!

Above: Here we once again get a bird emphasis in what is possibly the ugliest dress on the show, despite it's rich beading. However the color and shoulder cut bring to mind Sleeping Beauty - one possible identity I've heard suggested for Abigail.

Above: This photo gets a mention because of the gorgeous crimson insets in Prince Charming's gloves.

Above: Cinderella's lovely ball gown.

Above: While Charming looks dashing, Snow looks as though she's donned a prom dress. ???

Above: Seriously, sleeveless is not cool as it looks WAY too modern. Cinderella looks lovely though, and the light catches the beading on her skirt.

Above: I cannot stop thinking how much I adore Snow's gorgeous cloak! 

Above: The Genii meets Snow in the garden. Wish we had a better look at this dress!

Above: A good look at the rich fabric used for Belle's awesome cloak.

Above: Not an easy task to cast the Genii as a man when we're so used to the big blue puffball voiced by Robin Williams. But the costume helps as it is a very Persian looking ensemble.

Above: Another look at the cloaks of Snow and Red. And Snow's scarf! Just the layering and detailing here is fantastic. (I got to make a replica of Red's cloak. Check it out here!)

Above: In contrast to the puffy skirts of the princesses is this sleek gown worn by the water nymph. The beaded skirt evokes a fishing net and the shimmer of the fabric is very water-like in texture.

Above: The fairy costumes are so ridiculously overdone that they manage to be adorably fussy. 

Above: Ignore Abigail's crazy expression and drool over her fantastic Elizabethan-inspired costume that I am dying to recreate.

Above: a young, innocent Regina in a baby blue gown with a gorgeous bodice and limply unadorned skirt.

Above: and here is Regina as she was meant to be, feminine yet simple in this beautifully tailored sea-foam riding jacket. (See my reproduction of it here!)

Due to chronic illness, I can no longer take on costume commissions. However, I have written up blog posts about my previous OUAT costume reproductions and done many costume analysis posts that may be of use to you or your costumer in making your cosplay. Check them out here!