The fashion looks in Harley Quinn’s “Birds of Prey” were more than stylish – they were an emblem of girl power, independence, and anarchy. Costume designer Erin Benach designed with the female gaze in mind – a focus on what women would want to wear, versus what men would want to see them in.
Inspiration ranged from comic books and street style to fashion editorials and runways shows. There has never been this level of fashion in a superhero movie before, and fashionistas all over are screaming.
Harley’s yellow feathered caution tape jacket
Ah, yes, the punk rock Harley look. It was full of chaos and beauty with its multi-colored aspects and billowing, fringed sleeves, but the highlight of this look was the integration of caution tape, which is a true statement of punk rebellion. The look was so cute, and so Harley – it’s almost as if she stole curation tape from a crime scene and made a DIY night out of it.
The see-through back was also an important detail, and the fact that she wore this look while blowing up Ace Chemicals and dashing through Gotham City just adds to the anti-establishment factor. Beneath it, a pink velvet halter top added a dose of funky femininity.
Harley in Marlyn Monroe dream sequence
Poor Harley was stuck in booty shorts for her Suicide Squad look, but luckily, she got to flesh out her fashionista side a little more. While Suicide squad mostly showcased black and red looks, these ensembles were more bubbly, utilizing plenty of glitz, glam, and sequins. Personally, we loved when she channeled her inner vixen during her interrogation with the Black Mask.
In a vivid dream sequence, she dresses like Marylin Monroe in a hot pink look and glove combination, combined with stunning diamond chokers and layered necklaces. Rather than wearing Marylin’s classic dress in the “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” reinterpretation, Harley rocks an updated version with pants. It would be hard to get all that butt-kicking done in a tight dress, to be fair.
That gold leather jumpsuit
The whole gang had amazing looks, but obviously Harley in her diamond patterned silk jumpsuit and hot pink sports bra took the cake. Kudos to Margot Robbie’s stunt double, who had to do all those insane movements in this stuff jumpsuit. Rather than her usual red and black, Bench opted for gold because it represented the new glam side of Harley that we haven’t gotten to see before.
Also, a jumpsuit is a lot more functional for fighting crime than a pair of very small shorts. Maybe blondes really do have more fun!
The post-breakup roller derby look
Early in the film, we see Harley Quinn in the beginning of her fashion evolution. She is still rocking her iconic black and red look here, because the designer is paying homage to her “Suicide Squad” look. There are speckles of red and black in her cutoff shorts, and the addition of flames up the side panel made the look a lot more fiery. It was a nod to her origin with the promise of a new beginning.
Huntress’s all leather samurai look
A rough gal by nature, the cross-bow wielding Huntress has a minimal but sporty vibe that’s versatile for the every-girl. Her favorite colors are purple, dark blue, and black, and she often pairs cargo pants with a crop top and a hooded jacket. She’s kind of like a modern day Kim Possible meets female Robin Hood, and we’re all about it. Her final style evolution comes with that epic entrance of the famous girl gang, where she wore high waisted black pants and a midriff baring bodice top with cutouts.
Black Canary’s performance look
Harley met Black Canary at a nightclub, where this enigma performed as a singer. Her job kind of reflects her style, which is classy, contemporary, and seductive. She’s known for wearing a corset and bold, printed pants. But mostly, we were obsessed with her netted streetwear inspired performance look. It consisted of a strappy, asymmetrical fishnet dress and a yellow bodysuit, and while it wasn’t as practical as her off-stage looks, it was smouldering for viewers.
We can’t wait to see all the new Halloween options that people will be donning thanks to the new and multi-faceted version of Harley Quinn that we’ve all come to love. Hopefully, some ladies will dress up like the underdogs of the film, Black Canary and Huntress, since the team wouldn’t be complete without their contribution.