For over 30 years, director Tim Burton has built a career out of exploring the realms of the strange, bizarre and unusual. One publication even dubbed Burton's method of filmmaking as walking into an abandoned amusement park, or a haunted carnival, or a nightmarish circus." While Burton may get criticized for his tendency to stick to the same actors and gothic tropes, as a film-maker he's always stayed true to his own vision and taken pride in cultivating such a distinct signature brand.
1. Dark Doesn't Have To Mean Gloomy
Unfortunately, most people's initial reaction when hearing the words "Tim Burton" and "fashion" together are of the typical Hot Topic mall-goth, decked out all in black in order to convey how dark and bleak their soul is. But Burton's world and atmosphere are actually anything but depressing! His films often purposefully use monochrome palettes of blacks, whites, and grays so that the occasional pops of color and small, artistic details stand out that much more. For example, "Sweeney Todd" was shot through a muted lens so that the dream sequences/specks of blood would appear much more prominent to audiences.
Incorporate this attitude into your own life by adding a small, unexpected bright hair accessory or neon pair of heels to a solid black dress. And remember that just because someone likes to wear the traditional goth style doesn't mean they aren't just as full of joy and excited about life as anyone else.
2. Let Your Locks Run Wild
For a director whose first big hit involved a man with literal scissors for hands, both Burton and his long-time former partner Helena Bonham Carter frequently walk the red carpet with wild, untamed hair. Unlike all the other movie stars who spend hours in their trailers making sure every hair lies in place, Bonham-Carter lets her crazy-curls do their own thing, often accessorizing them with quirky hats, bows, and veils.
Don't fret the frizz, and take a day to ditch your comb and flat-iron in order to embrace your natural texture. (Trust me, your hair will be much healthier in the long-run).
3. Look to The Past Instead of Current Trends
Many of the most visually striking of Burton's films are those set in an earlier era, like the eerie Victorian atmosphere of "Sleepy Hollow" or the suburban 1950s kitschy look of "Edward Scissorhands." Instead of copying your look from whatever's all over Instagram this week, travel back in time and embrace elements from a few different centuries. From the corseted dresses and ball-gown silhouettes in films like "Sweeney Todd" to the 1960s mini-skirts and medallion necklaces featured in the "Dark Shadows" remake, Burton's filmography provides viewers with tons of nostalgic inspiration to expand the timeline of their own wardrobes.
If you're looking to find some unique and authentic vintage pieces, start by hitting up the thrift stores in your neighborhood or even asking your mom/grandmother if you can take a peek inside their closets!
4. Don't Be Afraid To Mix Patterns
Who was it that decided that you can't combine stripes with polka dots or a pair of plaid pants with a loud, animal print sweater? In recent years Burton's own "brand" and art-style has been associated with a love for bold, whimsical patterns: most iconically the black and white spirals that decorated the hills of Halloween Town in "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
While basics are always chic, and the all-black look will never go out of style, exciting patterns and textures give an outfit a confident, eye-catching appeal. If you usually try to blend into the crowd, take a risk by walking down the street in all your prettiest prints. And if you're really wondering if two pieces "go" together, embrace your instincts and eliminate any fears of "clashing."
5. Treat Fashion Like Another Fun Adventure
With so many different "rules" thrown around about when it's appropriate to wear white or which jeans are currently "in" or "out" this season, the fashion industry has started to make the experience of getting dressed as stressful as studying for an exam! Rather than worry about whether or not your belt perfectly matches your shoes or if your sneakers are currently on trend, remember that fashion above all is meant to be fun.
Remember when you were 5-years-old and putting on a pretty tutu or bright shade of lipstick felt like an exciting game or performance rather than a chore? Try and recapture this sense of childhood wonder when you get dressed by treating every morning in front of the mirror like another game of dress-up.
Although Burton may have a reputation for dark and spooky stories, at the heart of all his movies is a message of childhood imagination and a belief in the strange and impossible. From Wonderland to Halloween Town to Miss Peregrine's Home, Burton encourages us to explore new worlds and find the magic even in the most mundane parts of our lives.
