I Know What You Wore Last Summer
scream queens and '90s fashion
The other weekend I found myself pouring a glass of wine and renting a movie. (sure, it was from prime, but the phrase just feels right. I miss you Blockbuster) I don’t do this often, but I’ve been on a Jennifer Love Hewitt1 kick ever since 9-1-1 took over my life, (do you think about a television show when you see a firetruck or are you normal) and with the new I Know What You Did Last Summer dropping this month, I figured seeing the original was long overdue.
I love a good slasher flick- the cheesier the better- but I went into IKWYDLS with no expectations.
If you don’t know, the 1997 film- directed by Jim Gillespie- is about a group of four friends’ Fourth of July (timely) from hell when they accidentally hit a pedestrian as they’re leaving the beach. They dump the body and swear to never speak of it again, but are forced to relive it a year later when one of them receives a note saying I know what you did last summer! And, because it’s a slasher, nobody is safe.
Also, nobody is safe from spoilers here, so here’s your warning <3
Maybe it’s because I didn’t have expectations, but I ended up really enjoying it, which of course, is in part very much due to Kevin Williamson’s classic screenwriting. (Also, naming the beach Dawson’s Beach? Iconic) The other thing that stood out to me was the wardrobe. Even though it’s not a ~fashion film~, it’s a vault full of ‘90s fashion gems, thanks to costume designer Catherine Adair. It’s also a lesson in storytelling through costume.
The color palette seems to be a nod to the calm of the ocean,
sticking mostly to blues, greens, and neutrals for the characters. It’s an eerie contrast to the turbulence they face throughout the movie, but it also plays into the characters themselves.
For instance, our girl Julie James (JLH) is the typical girl next door and the one most disturbed by the events of that night. She spends the next year plagued with guilt, and it shows in her appearance. She goes from a quiet but cool vibe to a little bit angsty, though she still slays in overalls and the quintessential ‘90s choker.
Pageant queen Helen Shivers,
played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, (we love our three name girlies) is also reigning fashion queen, if only for the slinky black mini dress and letterman jacket combo. And the tiara made of seashells? Fit for a queen for sure.
Helen had big New York dreams, so it only makes sense that she would dress the part. Her white collared shirt tied at the waist, mini skirt with a chain belt, and an arm cuff look is my personal favorite.
Hello, ‘90s core.
Helen Shivers, Scream Queen
There’s something poetic about Helen dying in a seafoam green dress (after maybe the best horror chase scene) that perfectly matches the green in her seashell tiara. It is the outfit she wore for her final parade as queen, after all, and it ties back into the nautical themes.
Helen was deliciously close to Final Girl territory, but she couldn’t cross the line before being slashed. In the middle of the street near the parade, mind you, so the chances of her scream being heard? Nonexistent.
The Final Girl
What are you waiting for, huh? -Julie James
A staple of the slasher film, the final girl is the only one left to burn it all down. In this case, it’s Julie, along with her boyfriend Ray. (Freddie Prinze Jr.)2 By the end of it, they find themselves on Ray’s boat with the killer, whom Ray ultimately throws overboard.3
Though some viewers question whether Julie or Helen should’ve gotten the title of Final Girl, I’m satisfied with the choice of Julie. She never stopped her quest to find the killer, and while she shut her friends out in the beginning, she found her way back to them. (until, you know…. rip)4
I also appreciated the ending, which sets the scene for the sequel up perfectly, with another eerie note left for Julie - this time written in steam on her shower door- and someone crashing through said door.
I honestly miss this era of slasher films. Though more recent ones have attempted to recreate the aura, I feel like something’s still missing. Maybe it’s something that can’t be recreated, a certain magic of that time.
At least we can replicate the outfits.
Please enjoy this playlist I found to listen to while writing, ~for the vibes.~
stay hot & weird,
kaeleen <3
**I’m sure you’ve heard about the Texas floods. Disasters like this are always devastating, but it hits different when it’s so close to home. I’ve linked some (vetted) ways you can help, if you’d like to/ are able.**
Individual GoFundMe fundraisers
Or Jennifer Love Fefferman on that one Boy Meets World episode
This is the film in which he & SMG met, by the way. Your piece of celeb lore for the day!
But they never saw his body…. dun dun
This is me realizing I didn’t mention Barry. (Ryan Phillippe) Sorry, my guy. You were just…. kinda boring? Rest in peace, tho
I haven't watched this in YEARS, probably since it came out, and it does deserve a re-watch, doesn't it? Such a fun slasher, and of course, didn't notice the clothes at the time (they looked normal). I adore going back to older movies and really looking at the clothes, even if they aren't "clothes movies."
A fun article, thank you, Kaeleen!