When it comes to DC comics’ most iconic villains, you can never miss out on the legendary character of the Joker. He is known as one of the most famous, unforgettable, and chaotic villains in the history of movies. There are very rare cases when people fell in love with the villain, and the same is the case with Joker. This fictional character has an immense fan following worldwide, and people eagerly await new updates from this franchise. Indeed, his personality is something that makes him incredibly popular, but there is one more thing that makes him more eye-catching, and it is his clothing style.
With each passing time, the Joker’s wardrobe has changed according to the needs of the story and the actor who is playing the role. From silly and colorful costumes to dark and creepy looks, his collection represents each era in his life. Are you the one who wants to know the evolution of Joker’s wardrobe? Then, you have come to the right place because this is your chance to learn about how Joker’s costume has changed over time, and also, you will get a comparison of the old costumes with the latest one, which is the Joaquin Phoenix Joker Suit. So, let’s get started and learn the backstory of each costume look.
Cesar Romero–The Classic Clown (1960)
Cesar Romero was the first actor to play the character of Joker in the Batman TV show from 1960. When it comes to his outfit, it was vibrant, loud, and playful. It features the purple suit, a green shirt, and white gloves. Also, his makeup was clean and smooth, similar to that of a circus clown.
Meanwhile, this first Joker was not scary, but he was more silly, energetic and funny. Hence, the first version of Joker was not creepy or dangerous, which is why Cesar had the funny clown look for this role.
Jack Nicholson–The Flashy Gangster (1989)
On the other hand, Batman (1989) had the iconic Joker character again. This time, Jack Nicholson played the role in a much darker way. His costume was the purple suit, but this time it was more refined and fancy. At the same time, the costume featured hats, bow ties, striped pants, and even flower pins that sprayed acid.
In addition, this Joker costume was the perfect balance between gangster and showman. His clothes were loaded with vibrant colors like orange, green, and blue. Because of this outfit, he looked more like a person who loved to grab people’s attention. This version of Joker used fashion to channel his style and power while doing wicked things.
Heath Ledger–The Chaotic Rebel (2008)
In The Dark Knight, Heath Ledger played the role of Joker, adding a creepy appeal to the costume. His costume was messy and did not coordinate with the other clothing items in his look. Once again, this character has the purple coat and green vest. But this time, the clothes were quite dirty, which boosted the dramatic look of this ensemble.
Moreover, his face makeup was quite scary, too. He had white makeup with black dark circles around the eyes, and a red smile that looked extremely disturbing. The Joker costume by Ledger showcased how much concerned he was about creating chaos, as compared to his appearance. His clothes represented his mind, wild, unpredictable, and full of danger. This is the point from where things started becoming darker.
Jared Leto–The Modern Rockstar Joker (2016)
Do you know when this character got the revamp in his style? Joker’s role, played by Jared Leto, was in Suicide Squad. This version of Joker was incredibly modern, shiny, and loud, and he had green slicked-back hair, metal teeth, and lots of tattoos. And you know what was more iconic about Jared Leto’s look? He had a tattoo on his forehead featuring the word” Damage.”
When it comes to the details of this costume look, he wore long coats with leather pants. This was a shirtless look with chains, and there were many fashionable jackets in his wardrobe, as well. This is regarded as the coolest Joker look ever, a blend of rapper and gangster styles. However, people did not like this Joker much, but his fashion game created a lot of hype in the fashion circles.
Joaquin Phoenix–The Tragic Clown (2019)
In 2019, the Joker movie hit the cinema, and this time, Joaquin Phoenix was in the lead role. Arthur Fleck, aka Joker, began his journey as a sad man aspiring to be a stand-up comedian, but he struggled as a clown. Meanwhile, his fashion game was quite boring at the beginning of this film, and he used to wear old sweaters. However, when things took a dramatic turn in his life, his fashion game also bloomed. Out of all of his looks, Joaquin Phoenix Joker Red Suit, which featured a yellow vest and green shirt, became the most famous costume look.
Also, his makeup look was inspired by the traditional clown look, a white face, red smile, and blue diamond shapes around the eyes. The main approach behind his clothing was to showcase his pain and struggle, and the mental choas he has been going through. His outfit told the story of someone who has been ignored by society and is struggling hard for survival.
Joker’s Makeup: From Clown to Chaos
The Joker’s makeup is one of the most critical factors in his costume’s look. Keep in mind that each version of the Joker had a different makeup look. So, let’s discuss that part, as well.
- The first Joker, played by Cesar Romero, had the clean and simple clown makeup.
- Meanwhile, the second version, portrayed by Jack Nicholson, had white skin, a red smile, and green hair due to a chemical accident that occurred to him.
- When it comes to the creepy and dramatic Joker version by Heath Ledger, he had a messy white painted face with dark circles around his eyes.
- Out of all the other versions of the Joker’s character, Jared Leto’s was the most modern. He ditched traditional makeup and opted for tattoos to showcase his rockstar and gangster style.
- Lastly, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker look used full clown makeup that you usually see at a circus, or children’s parties. But this time, this look was sad and serious.
Comparing Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker to the Rest
Now it is time to discuss various factors that made the Red Joker Costume look different from the earlier versions of this character.
Real and Human
Phoenix’s Joker looks like the outfit of a real person. He has been struggling as a clown and wanted to become a stand-up comedian, which is reflected in his outfit. It tells the story of a sad man who is alone and struggling for survival.
Different Colors
Almost all the versions of Joker wear purple and green hues. However, Phoenix had the red, yellow, and green look. This red look shows the intensity of his character, and the yellow is here to express his sadness, for help, and attention. On top of that, the green color is there to add the classic Joker look to this outfit.
Slow Transformation
This version of Joker developed his look gradually, unlike the others, who had the whole look from the beginning. With each passing scene in this film, Joker’s clothes and makeup gradually changed, and he finally stepped into the most chaotic era of his life.
Vintage and Timeless
Phoenix looks incredibly timeless and classy. It is inspired by the 70s, but comes with a chic appeal. Because of this costume, you have the chance to dress well for Halloween and formal occasions.
What the Joker’s Clothes Say
- Cesar Romero was fun and silly.
- Jack Nicholson was bold and flashy.
- Heath Ledger was messy and dangerous.
- Jared Leto was bold, loud, and chic
- Joaquin Phoenix was broken, sadist and emotional.
Where You Can Get Joker-Inspired Costumes
Are you the one who is obsessed with the character of Joker? Then, New American Jackets is the place where you can find all of his costumes. This platform has been selling movies, TV shows, and celebrity-inspired outfits for years. Whether you want to get the classic Joker look or the latest one, this is the place where you can find everything at the best rates. Also, you have the chance to drape yourself in vintage appeal with Selena Quintanilla Leather Jacket, or cowboy elegance with Rip Wheeler Jackets. Therefore, hurry up and place your order right now.
Craziness Packed in an Attire
The Joker Red Suit is one of the dramatic fashion items right now for all kinds of occasions. When it comes to the history of Joker’s costumes, there are so many changes and additions that you can find. In this blog post, we have shared the evolution of his costume fashion. Take a look and decide which one you want to add to your fashion game. New American Jackets is the ultimate destination for finding all the pieces from Joker’s collection, or even purchasing a Michael Myers Jacket. Therefore, be quick and place your order for the outfit that you have been dreaming of getting.
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