From the costumes to the set, from the words of the script to the movements of the actors, everything on stage tells a story. Stage-Inspired Fashion explores ways to add a little dramatic flair to your style.

In this week’s installment of Stage-Inspired Fashion, we’re taking it back several hundred years and revisiting a sophomore year reading list staple. The tragedy of Macbeth may seem like an odd source of fashion inspiration, but it’s full of strong characters and rich language. Summer outfits don’t always need to be bright– they could use a little darkness and drama.

We’ve covered Macbeth before in Looks from Books: Fashion Inspired by Will in the World, but this article looks at the characters rather than Shakespeare himself. 

Table of Contents

Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.”

Dress, Socks, Shoes, Necklace, Headband

Macbeth’s clothes and accessories are very symbolic. Characters often discuss Macbeth in clothing metaphors– his clothes are either too big or too small. Although he is the king, he doesn’t quite fit the role.

You don’t want to wear clothes that don’t fit, but you can represent this motif with a loose-fitting t-shirt dress. Accessorize with a long gold necklace that looks like the dagger Macbeth sees before him. Add a bright red headband in place of a crown; the pop of color alludes to the blood shed in Macbeth’s quest for power. Striped socks and brown leather ankle boots give this outfit a rugged quality– you’ll be ready for telling ghost stories over the campfire or walking in Birnam Wood.

Lady Macbeth

“Unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe topful
Of direst cruelty!”

Dress, Blazer, Socks, Shoes, Watch, Purse

Lady Macbeth essentially tells Macbeth to man up so he can murder Duncan. She relates violence with masculinity, but she herself is one of the most violent characters. If anything, the play presents a disturbing gender equality: all genders are capable of violence.