Robin Hood: Woodland Love Affair

By Chris Frey
May 19, 2010

It’s summer blockbuster season and by Hollywood standards that means big budgets and big heroes. Director Ridley Scott has just delivered his epic take on the legend of "Robin Hood," a character who gave many of us, in our youth, the notion that stealing from the rich to give to the poor was a perfectly logical, even noble, thing to do. As children we mimicked Robin’s archery skills and swordsmanship, practicing with makeshift cardboard "weapons" and wearing Halloween costume cast-offs like handmade felt hats and green tights. We fantasized about a carefree but adventurous life in Sherwood Forest with our very own version of Hood’s entourage: the Merry Men, Friar tuck and Maid Marion.

In Scott’s version the forest dwelling swashbuckler is a much darker, brooding Robin with a mysterious past. Referred to as Robin Longstride early in the film, Hood is played by Russell Crowe, who has worked with director Scott on films that include "American Gangster," "A Good Year" and "Gladiator." The story precedes Robin Hood’s notorious outlaw status and only once do we see him actually robbing. Instead we visit the events preceding his banishment from proper society in twelfth century England.

Robin Hood has been portrayed cinematically approximately 30 times since 1922. Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, and Kevin Costner have inhabited the role and in the early 70s Disney used a fleet of foxes to recreate the legend. In Scott’s dark and violent adaptation, the classic green tights and jaunty hat are replaced with a palette of rich earth tones and heavy layers of chain mail, leather and suede. Stylistically the film's wardrobe feels almost contemporary: part biker/part bohemian; fitted leather pants tucked into flat boots; soft hoods peeking out from underneath sturdy jackets and vests; all embellished with flat head studs, drawstrings, small pouches, belts and buckles.

As Lady Marion, Cate Blanchett’s wardrobe is feminine but utilitarian, consisting almost entirely of layers of soft, corseted pieces in linen and wool and what we would now refer to generously as "sensible shoes." The royalty we encounter in the film is robed in a fairly subdued palette as well but with embellished trims and brocade fabrics finished with hammered gold rings and bejeweled headpieces.

Although much of the film’s fashion is best suited to a fall wardrobe, there is ample inspirational material to consider now and save for later: tops and dresses with delicate peasant necklines and drawstring details, small pouches embroidered or in soft leather. The simplicity of the silhouettes in combination with the rich fabric textures is perfectly complimented with small touches of metal and gemstones. So forget about the Disney foxes, the manicured facial hair of Errol Flynn and Mel Brook’s "Men in Tights" take on the classic tale. This time Robin is a rock star.

1. NEW Barbara Bui Faux leather Jean (buy it now price, $1,676)

2. White Corset Dress (buy it now price, $399)

3. Vintage Riding Boots (buy it now price, $59.99)

4. NEW Knit Hood (buy it now price, $39.99)

5. NEW Hammered Gold Intaglio Ring (buy it now $790)

6. Chainmail Bag (current bid, $10.95)

7. England St. George Cross (buy it now price, $5.44)

8. NEW Tunic Top (starting bid, $59.99)

9. NEW Leather Drawstring Pouch (buy it now price, $14.50)

10. Small Brass Leather Belt (buy it now price, $200)

11. NEW Rick Owens Hooded Vest (buy it now price, $429)

** Film stills provided by the studio. **

A freelance editor who recently relocated to Austin from New York, Chris Frey previously served as the Fashion Market Director at Cookie and the Accessories Director at Lucky.

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