The Unexpected Christmas Movie That Became a Style Sensation
Rita Ryack's Oscar-nominated costumes in How the Grinch Stole Christmas have captivated fashion enthusiasts for over two decades, earning a revered status among fans Discover how this unexpected Christmas film has become a beloved fashion favorite
Christmas is often associated with tacky reindeer sweaters and snowman neckties, a recurring theme in festive films. From Nora Krank's garish mistletoe-embroidered vest in "Christmas with the Kranks" to Mark Darcy's Rudolph turtleneck in "Bridget Jones's Diary," the consensus is that bad fashion prevails during the holidays. However, one holiday classic challenges this notion. In the 2000 live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," costume designer Rita Ryack's Oscar-nominated work showcased a glamorous and chic vision of Yuletide dressing. This maximalist take on the humble Seussian story transformed the idea of Christmas fashion, proving that bundling up needn't be boring.
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Feast your eyes on the fashion-forward film featuring a young Taylor Momsen as Cindy Lou Who, sporting an impressive wardrobe of puff-sleeved, peter-pan collared dresses, coats, and pajamas.
Molly Shannon, playing Betty Lou Who, made a lasting impression with her plaid corset frock and surrealist teacup fascinator. Costume designer Ryack credits the outfit with making a big splash in the fashion world, even spotting mannequins in Versace boutiques sporting similar teacup hats. Additionally, the theatrical costumes of Christine Baranski's Martha May Whovier, the Grinch's love interest, have gained newfound popularity online.
Today, there are Gen Z "Grinch" fashion enthusiasts who have taken to YouTube to create tutorials on how to make Martha May costumes at home, while numerous Etsy sellers are offering made-to-order replicas. Every December, screenshots of Baranski on set in a powder blue and white ostrich feather-trimmed Hollywood-style robe resurface on social media sites like clockwork. "The fashion icon of Whoville," commented one fan on X. "No one did it like her."
Ryack's costumes were both whimsical and fashion-forward.
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The curly ostrich-feather trimmed robe is a fan favorite on social media.
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The renewed interest is even a surprise for Ryack. "I found out yesterday that Martha May is iconic," she said via telephone from her home in Los Angeles. "Its crazy."
Both the original children's book from 1957 and the animated television special from 1966 kept the Whos' fashion simple with nightdresses, leggings, jackets, and bow-ties in a streamlined palette, along with Seussian flourishes. In the live-action adaptation, Ryack was encouraged to be more fantastical.
"I had grown up with Dr. Seuss, his style was so energetic, upbeat, and animated," said Ryack. "The problem was to figure out how to capture his drawings in 3D."
She used various textures such as tufts, fleece, pom-poms, bouclé, corduroy, crochet, chenille, chemise, and chartreuse to create unique garments. "We focused on creating a lot of sweaters, using mohair for a fuzzy effect," she explained. "Our goal was to translate the shapes from the book into intarsia sweaters." Underneath each of Ryacks costumes, a padded bodysuit sculpted almost every Who in Whoville into a distinct pear shape. This use of clothing in Euphoria became a compelling tool for storytelling.
With the exception of Martha May, who drew inspiration from 1950s styles for her silhouettes. "Because the film was about family," she explained, "and it's when I grew up, so I had an attachment to certain visual things."
One specific visual that resonated with Martha May was the memory of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. (The late British monarch even attended the film's London premiere, although likely unaware of the fashion inspiration she had provided.) "When I was a young girl, I was so excited about the gowns and Princess Margaret," Martha May said. "I loved the tight bodice, the flowing skirt, those corset-like tops. I thought they were so feminine and beautiful."
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Curls, plaits and a ponytail that took the "up-do" to new heights, literally: this hairstyle for Taylor Momsen's character Cindy Lou Who had it all.
The luxurious skirts and hourglass figures influenced a specific outfit: Martha May's Christmas ceremony gown. The velvet crimson bodice was adorned with a sweetheart neckline, complemented by a trim of forest green tulle that matched the voluminous skirt. Ryack expressed, "I had a passion for tulle."
Martha May's signature style drew inspiration from 1950s actor and comedian Lucille Ball, with costume designer Rita Ryack acknowledging that "Martha's clothes have a little bit of musical comedy spirit as well."
A subtle nod to Lucille Ball can be seen in a scene where Martha May sits on her sofa in a "hostess" outfit, a trouser and dress combination popularized by Ball in the 1951 sitcom "I Love Lucy." "It didn't get much screen time," Ryack laments, "But it's quite stunning." In the show, Ball was known for wearing a long housecoat over cigarette pants while hosting dinner parties, and the "hostess" pants even became a plotline in one episode. Ball's character tried to give her landlady, Ethel, a pair, to which Ethel replied, "Well, they're certainly bizarre."
Martha Mays' rendition featured a vibrant blue duchess satin, adorned with a portrait collar to accentuate her elegant string of pearls. A massive taffeta bow wrapped around Baranski's waist. "It's an over-the-top detail, that's the essence of comedy. Small exaggerations and bold silhouettes."
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This risqué Mrs. Claus costume was a personal favorite of Ryack's.
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Ryack stated that there was nothing Baranski wouldn't wear. She mentioned that not every actress could pull off the pieces, but Christine was always up for it and knew how to work a costume. The racy Mrs. Claus outfit, a red and white fur trimmed mini dress worn as Martha May shoots Christmas lights out of a cannon, was particularly admired by Ryack, who expressed interest in owning it. She described it as fun and very sexy, praising Baranski's aggressive and flirty performance in it.
As the world returns to Whoville and the Ryack costumes in anticipation of the holidays, is there anything she would change? "I want to change everything," she replied. "Well, except for Martha. But I would love the chance to redo some of it."
