Iconic Outfits in the Film Hustlers
Image Courtesy: Shondaland.com
The new film Hustlers starring Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, and Keke Palmer brings nostalgic outfits from the 2007 era back to the big screen. With appearances from other celebrities such as Cardi B, Usher, and Lizzo, this movie is filled with Y2K culture and style. The film is based on the 2015 New York Magazine article "The Hustlers at Scores" written by journalist Jessica Pressler. Set in 2007, the movie begins with the main character, Destiny (Constance Wu), working as a stripper to make ends meet to support her grandmother and herself. During her time at the club, she befriends Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), an experienced dancer who can impress any crowd. Ramona becomes a role model for Destiny, and she shows her the ropes of working at the club and finessing hefty tips from wealthy Wall Street workers who frequently visit. Hardships arise when the 2008 economic collapse occurs and cuts into the club's profits, and a group of dancers led by Ramona devises a way to take financial control of their lives again.
Image Courtesy: Billboard
Hustlers pay homage to early-2000's fashion with loud and fun outfits, including Juicy Couture sweats, tracksuits, big hoop earrings, low rise jeans, and extravagant fur coats. One of my favorite things about the movie is that Jennifer Lopez was an influential celebrity during the years that the movie was set in, wearing bright and exciting outfits during the peak of these trends. Her character plays the "ringleader" role, allowing her to flaunt extravagant fur coats and thigh-high boots without second thought throughout the entire movie. This allows Lopez to channel her "Jenny From the Block" years and bring this attitude back out for the film.
Image Courtesy: Footwear News
Even the other celebrities working on the film were impressed with the outfits designed by costume designer Mitchell Travers. He says that Cardi B, who famously worked as a dancer at clubs in her earlier years, was very impressed and even eager to try her outfits on when they were presented to her. The mall scenes later in the film capture the girl gang's loud and unique outfits as well, flaunting low rise shorts, animal print, and loud, eye-catching tank tops, topped off with a pair of pumps or nameplate hoop earrings and a large purse to complete the look. The mall scene truly captivates how nonchalantly loud each piece of the outfits of Y2K culture was, as the girls do not hesitate to try on and purchase eye-catching statement pieces and outfits throughout the scene. The overall attitude of the girls as they scope out the entire mall for expensive purchases that flaunt their money, including Ramona telling Destiny that "there is no such thing as too big of a purse" truly exhibits the trends of Y2K and what many wanted to achieve during this time. The mall scene truly shows audiences that this girl gang was living the dream that others wanted at the time, a dream where they could go to the mall and drop thousands of dollars on a pair of Louboutins without any hesitation.
Image Courtesy: The Hollywood Reporter
Additionally, the soundtrack from Hustlers (which includes 2000s bops like Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls" and Flo Rida and David Guetta's "Club Can't Handle Me") is sure to bring you nostalgia before even watching the film. Between JLo and her girl gang, the copious amounts of Juicy Couture staple pieces, and the iconic soundtrack, Hustlers is sure to have you feeling like you're in a time warp back to Y2K culture.
Strike Out,
Writer: Kailen Bender
Editors: Giselle Parks and Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee