As far as fashion’s concerned, “Grease” is still the word.
Fox’s live take on that classic, which aired to warm reviews Sunday night, hardly missed a beat. Between the striking sets and fun cameos (we saw you, Joe Jonas), no detail was too minor to tackle, especially in the wardrobe department.
“We’re looking at the ’50s in a today eye,” costume designer and Broadway veteran William Ivey Long told Variety. “Just as our cast is multiracial, which it would have not been in 1958.”
So long to Sandy’s signature poodle skirts — as director Thomas Kail made clear, the more leg, the better.
Here’s how “Grease” 2016 compares with the 1978 film.
Danny’s gym attire
Today’s basketball shorts have nothing on 1950s gym gear. Like John Travolta’s Danny Zuko before him, Aaron Tveit’s greaser also had to rock a ridiculously tiny P.E. ensemble. While viewers were treated to a nice view of the T-Bird’s bulging biceps, Tveit’s short-shorts were the talk of the Twitterverse.
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Frenchy’s new PJs
There’s no question that Frenchy was a fashionista ahead of her time — obviously, that whole hairstylist thing didn’t work out — but Fox’s production gives the beauty school dropout a tackier update. Instead of strutting about her bedroom in a dainty little nightgown, Carly Rae Jepsen’s Frenchy rocks a design best-suited for a desperately aging housewife, complete with feather boa.
Meet the sassiest, sexiest Pink Lady yet!
Reason No. 250916510 to love Keke Palmer: Girl can nail every look she’s given. As Rizzo’s right-hand gal, Marty not only shines in a glistening red gown as she longs for her marine overseas, but manages to charm the pants off Vince Fontaine (Mario Lopez) during the spring dance. Unlike the emerald gown Dinah Manoff wore in the 1978 original, Palmer’s green dress boasts a halter strap and much, much more shine.
Sandy’s demure new dance dress
While Olivia Newton-John and her Fox successor, Julianne Hough, both wore virginal white designs at the school dance, the newer version boasted a blue tulle underlay that flattered the “Dancing With the Stars” alum as she twirled and flipped alongside Tveit in amazing ways.
Rizzo still knows how to work a button-down
While Stockard Channing’s purple button-down shirt will live in musical infamy, Vanessa Hudgens’ badass Pink Lady takes the hue higher: Her crisp violet top is still there, but this Rizzo leaves a few buttons undone and pairs her nightie with cheeky lace undies. Seriously, were boy shorts even around in the 1950s?
Were these cheerleader minis approved by the Board of Ed?
Unlike the sweaters and ankle-length skirts the Rangers’ squad wore in 1958, Hough’s Sandy put her trim stems on display during the added “cheerleading tryouts” scene in Fox’s production. While the ever-annoying Patty Simcox (Elle McLemore) teaches her blond counterpart some tricky moves, Hough’s seasoned skills steal the spotlight — along with her barely knee-length mini.