Dressing Up to go Party in the Matrix
If you are looking for outfit ideas for your next evening at the club or night at a rave, I have the ultimate source of inspiration for you. It may be from where you least expected it: The hit sci-fi film, The Matrix.
I know, shocker, right? I was more than surprised. While considered to be a brilliant movie, it’s one I never gave much thought to. So, imagine my surprise when I absentmindedly turned on cable to find myself immersed in the world of The Matrix Revolutions -– not for the intriguing plot or Keanu Reeves's handsome looks — but for the costume design.
The costumes worn by these partygoers seem to be a genius mix of a multitude of inspirations created by costume designer Kym Barrett. The shiny fabrics and face masks make the look feel futuristic, and when the latex is combined with accessories such as chokers and impossibly tall heels, one may see echoes of something dominatrix-adjacent.
The specific scene that caught my eye is one in which the main characters infiltrate an exclusive club, seeking intel. The aforementioned club appears dark and grimy, except for flashing green lights covering the dancing and thrashing crowd. Every scene is punctuated by black latex, high leather shoes, face masks, and colorful hair. While it isn’t the music used in the scene, one could almost imagine industrial rock playing through the speakers because of the way the crowd was moving.
Hairstyles such as liberty spikes nod to punk looks of the past. This eccentric blend creates something truly inspiring and unique that sticks in the mind despite the scene being so short, pulling you in and making you wish you could be at that club in those clothes.
A specific look that stuck out to me was that of a guard during the shootout scene. He wore tight pants, a latex sleeveless turtleneck, a latex mask that encompassed his whole head, and latex gloves (all of which were black). I’m not exaggerating when I say that I have not seen an outfit on a man that struck me with so much inspiration in years. The monochromatic color scheme combined with unique cuts, accessories, and sultry fabric suddenly seemed revolutionary. Overall this seemed to be the vibe of the costumes featured in this (sadly) fictional club.
How might one draw inspiration from this movie and translate it into an outfit for the real world, or in other words, a world outside of The Matrix? The good news is, while the final product is wowing, the ingredients to it are not too difficult to find. The first and foremost way to emulate this look is through severe fabrics such as latex and leather, as mentioned before. The simple implementation of fabrics such as these can make an outfit infinitely more edgy, unique, and fun.
Accessories such as chokers, gloves, headpieces, masks, and tall shoes are also a must. Such accessories are commonplace among alternative fashion companies and can also be homemade. Finally, turtlenecks are your best friend. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from exposed skin, though! Playful cutouts, tank tops, and slits create a shape that cuts through the dark clothing and creates a sense of movement.
Strike Out,
Alara Ataman
Boca Raton
Alara Ataman is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine. An avid fan of fashion, this Pisces can be found scrolling through Depop or elbows deep in a thrift store looking for the perfect piece. If you can’t find her doing this, you may find her browsing numerous cafes in her endless quest for the perfect iced coffee. You can reach her at @leopard_fawn on most social media platforms.
