Clothing as a Reflection of Class (was: Draco's Pointy Shoes)

[sartoris22]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at yahoogroups.com, Valerie Flowe <valerie.flowe at ...> 
wrote:
>
> >  > Sartoris22:
> >  >
> > <snip>--they might start a father-son fashion design
> >  > business. Of course, they would have to add other colors to 
their
> >  > line besides black.
> >
> >  Steph:
> >
> >  While I also think the Malfoys' clothes are pretty cool, and 
agree
> >  with you that it makes Lucius, at least, a bit more likeable 
than he
> >  should be. Draco's slick black suits make him look even more 
arrogant
> >  than he already is, IMHO. I think the costume designer dressed 
them
> >  that way to show the class difference between the Malfoys and the
> >  Weasleys. Notice how the Weasley kids all have patched up 
clothes or
> >  clothes that don't really fit that well? In OotP Ginny had on 
patched
> >  pants, and Ron's maroon sweater seemed a bit small. They look 
like
> >  they bought their clothes at a rummage sale. When I saw a couple 
of
> >  the new photos from HBP with Ron in them, particularly the one 
where
> >  he's sitting between Harry and Ginny at the Burrow, I just had to
> >  laugh and shake my head for Rupert, who once again is stuck 
wearing
> >  really horrible costumes. Nothing will match his dress robes in 
GoF,
> >  though.
> >
> > Valerie:
> 
> > Yes, definitely, It is a great visual way to distinguish between 
the 
> > 'haves' and the 'have-nots'. The poor Weasley kids are always 
wearing 
> > mismatched outfits; Ron, and the twins pants are usually too 
short. 
> > Jenny looks like a patchwork quilt like her mum. I hope they 
dress 
> > Narcissa very upscale so that she completes the Malfoy trio.
> 
> AND they can always add green and silver to the father/son black 
> fashion designs! :-)
>

Sartoris22:

I like the idea that the too-big shoes might symbolize Draco assuming 
his father's position, alhough, frankly, it seems somewhat too clever 
for the movie series, but you never know. And I agree that the 
fashion disparity between the Weasley and Malfoys is supposed to 
bring class difference into stark relief. However, I alo see the 
difference as a challenge to the audience. Power and evil are usually 
seductive--look what happens to Percy--and the Malfoys challenge us 
to resist or at least contemplate that seduction.  The Weasleys are 
obviously an honest, loving, mostly happy family--but they are poor, 
and even they know it. What is interesting is that Ron recoginizes 
he's poor fairly early in life, as evidenced by his critical reaction 
to the sandwiches and his rat on the train to Hogwarts in the first 
movie. Thus, at the beginning of the movie series, Ron is burdened by 
his poverty. However, he is also Harry's first friend, and we admire 
both Harry and Ron for accepting each other--Ron for accepting 
Harry's history; Harry for accepting Ron's poverty. And I think the 
audienece has a similar challenge, particularly concerning Ron 
because, unlike Harry, he's not consistently heroic. Ultimately, most 
people choose the Weasleys over the Malfoys because the Weasley's 
represent a more appealing kind of love, more generous, inclusive. 
Still, there are others who find the Malfoys more appealing, and the 
Malfoys' style is likely one reason that they do. (By the ay, did you 
like in the second movie how they garnered sympathy for Draco by 
having Lucius treat him badly,including that look of embarrased 
dissappointment when Draco falls off his broom during the quidditich 
match.)