I went to see Waitress in November 2019. It was a soundtrack that I already loved, however I didn’t expect to love the show as much as I did, as it had me laughing one second and crying the next. It follows the story of Jenna, who becomes pregnant with her abusive husband Earl. She then decides to enter a baking competition so that she has the money to leave him, whilst also having an affair with her doctor, Dr Pomatter. She also works alongside 2 other waitresses, Becky and Dawn, each facing their own issues and lives. The costumes in Waitress are very clever, as they convey their characters in quite subtle ways, as well as setting the whole scene of a traditional Southern US diner. It also conveys many points of the film, which inspired the musical on stage.
Arguably the most recognisable costumes from the musical are the blue dresses worn by Jenna, Becky and Dawn. These are very reminiscent of the uniforms worn by the waitresses in the film, and really help to set the diner scene with their length, shape, collars and details. However, one thing that really makes these costumes special is how they still continue to show the characters, despite all being primarily the same. Jenna has her hair in a soft, loose ponytail, to show he somewhat carefree nature. Dawn’s hair is half pulled back into a scrunchie on the top of her head, however the shape of her glasses and the strap juxtapose this, to show her childlike yet old personality. Becky’s scarf shows her more feisty and outgoing nature- she is definitely the extrovert of the group which is shown through this also.
Jenna’s costumes throughout tend to be made of soft, light floral fabrics, showing her carefree nature, and her delicateness at the hands of her abusive husband. Although Jenna is posed as quite a strong character, the delicate florals help to show her inner vulnerability and softness that is revealed more and more throughout the show. She also has some interesting costume changes, such as in Act 2, when she puts on an apron very subtly with a baby bump, to show the passing of time throughout the the show, and at the end of the act, when she has 2 very quick costume changes onstage- being at the front of the auditorium we could catch a small glimpse of another dress underneath explaining how these changes were possible. One of my favourite details for Jenna was how her journey throughout the show is shown through her first and last costumes. Although she is never seen wearing it, a red dress is mentioned by Jenna and the other waitresses as the reason behind her pregnancy, and the problems this then brings her. This red dress is treated as a symbol of hurt and the difficult situation Jenna is in. However, at the very end of the show, Jenna appears in another red dress, however one that is much more friendly and light. To me, this shows Jenna’s development as a character into taking her own life back and becoming herself again, which sends a clear message that your past doesn’t always have to affect you, which I think is one of the main taking points from the show.
Dawn’s costumes are a very interesting set, as they perfectly show her dual personality. She is very young and naive, and often is portrayed as quite childish due to her lack of social skills and awkward quirky nature. However, she has an old soul, such as her love for American Revolution reenactment, turtles and poetry. This is perfectly conveyed through her fashion, mixing bright colours with old styles, and tiny details like the turtle pin that really show an insight into her unique personality. Her older fashion sense also perfectly juxtaposes her young face and hairstyle, creating an odd but cute blend. Overall, this makes Dawn a very memorable and lovable character, and also shows how she is unapologetically her, which is inspirational.
Becky is definitely the most fiery of the 3 waitresses, as she has no problem speaking her mind. Her costumes help convey her more bold personality, such as the rhinestones on her denim jacket and touches of leopard print, which show her bright personality. Her red lipstick also helps to portray her as a strong and confident woman, who is not afraid to express her style and be more bold with her words and choices. Like the other 2 waitresses, Becky is therefore an inspiration, as she shows that it is good to speak up for yourself and others, and to just be yourself.
The male characters in the show also convey a number of key personality elements in their costuming. Dr Pomatter’s neat and crisp appearance reflects his profession, and his choice of cardigans instead of smart coats or jackets make him seem more down to earth and likeable. Dr Pomatter’s other side isn’t really seen through his attire, maybe because he doesn’t want to make his affair with Jenna public to the world, and is keen to remain looking like himself despite changes to his personal life. Ogie, Dawn’s love interest, has a similar quirky style to Dawn, as his young face and hairstyle juxtaposes his older vibe in his clothing, with the high-waisted brown trousers and button-up shirt. The bright checked pattern also makes Ogie appear younger and more childlike, and his whole attire shows him as quite an awkward yet lovable character, showing he is perfect for Dawn. The other male costumes that really spoke volumes to me were those worn by Earl, Jenna’s abusive husband. His cap and messy facial hair makes him look like he has something to hide, and gives him an element of shadiness that is necessary for the character. He also wears a harsh plaid shirt, and mostly dark colours, that go against Jenna’s lighter wardrobe, showing how the two are completely different. He also gives off a dirty, slobbish vibe, making him very unlikable to the audience from the start, before they even really know him.
Finally, it is important to note the ensemble costumes throughout the show. The ensemble has multiple quick changes, which are carried out through a variety of fairly simple costume pieces, probably layered over one another to allow for these changes to take place. I also noticed a change in top often, but not in trousers again suggesting how these changes are carried out so quickly. The costumes for the ensemble however are highly successful in really bringing the whole feel of the scene together, and conveying a variety of different characters for each actor.
Overall, I think the costumes for Waitress are highly successful, as they really cement the feel of the story, and also clearly show the relationships between characters as well as their personalities as individuals. I also love how the costumes help to tell the story of certain character’s development, and help to move the story along.
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