By Olivia Grey
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins has been a huge hit in recent years, with girls around the world looking up to protagonist Katniss Everdeen as their role model. It is a story that teaches the importance of maintaining loyalty, friendship and unity in a world of chaos; one where each year a 'Hunger Games' is held. Each year 24 children (a male and female pair from each District) serve as Tributes' to fight to the death for their ancestors misdoings in an arena constructed by the Capitol.
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins has been a huge hit in recent years, with girls around the world looking up to protagonist Katniss Everdeen as their role model. It is a story that teaches the importance of maintaining loyalty, friendship and unity in a world of chaos; one where each year a 'Hunger Games' is held. Each year 24 children (a male and female pair from each District) serve as Tributes' to fight to the death for their ancestors misdoings in an arena constructed by the Capitol.
Districts vs The Capitol
Collins' writing has the ability to paint pictures in your head, not just write words on paper. Through just reading, you see what she wants you to see; the dire poverty-stricken grip on District 12 where Katniss lives, a direct contrast with the glamour and modernisation of the Capitol who arranges the Games each year. You do not need to watch the films to understand and see the characters in your mind.
We can see by looking at the picture of Katniss on Reaping Day as she stands next to Effie Trinket, a representative from the Capitol, how drastic their differences are. The colour of their clothes says a lot; Effie stands out in bright purple, while Katniss fades in comparison with her pale blue. Another thing is obviously the style of their clothing. Katniss here is wearing her best dress especially for the event of Reaping Day, and yet it is still no match for Effie's extravagant skirt suit, which is nothing compared to what she wears to a special occasion in the Capitol.
Screaming of a harsh difference in social class, Effie and Katniss come from two very different worlds.
Collins' writing has the ability to paint pictures in your head, not just write words on paper. Through just reading, you see what she wants you to see; the dire poverty-stricken grip on District 12 where Katniss lives, a direct contrast with the glamour and modernisation of the Capitol who arranges the Games each year. You do not need to watch the films to understand and see the characters in your mind.
We can see by looking at the picture of Katniss on Reaping Day as she stands next to Effie Trinket, a representative from the Capitol, how drastic their differences are. The colour of their clothes says a lot; Effie stands out in bright purple, while Katniss fades in comparison with her pale blue. Another thing is obviously the style of their clothing. Katniss here is wearing her best dress especially for the event of Reaping Day, and yet it is still no match for Effie's extravagant skirt suit, which is nothing compared to what she wears to a special occasion in the Capitol.
Screaming of a harsh difference in social class, Effie and Katniss come from two very different worlds.
Capitol Fashion
When you read about the fashion in the Capitol, you know that it is a measure of a citizen as a person by how they look and what they wear. Talks of bright clothes, permanent glittery tattoos and implants to make the face and body seem more 'interesting' are only some of the things that Capitol citizens are known for doing in the name of fashion. Again however, this is a cry for help. This is a sign that nobody is truly comfortable in their own skin and although they are wealthy and seem to live a life of luxury, people like Effie Trinket are yet again just another piece in the Games by conforming to the social norms and expectations of them. In this context, they are just like all of the Districts, except they wear fancy clothes.
When you read about the fashion in the Capitol, you know that it is a measure of a citizen as a person by how they look and what they wear. Talks of bright clothes, permanent glittery tattoos and implants to make the face and body seem more 'interesting' are only some of the things that Capitol citizens are known for doing in the name of fashion. Again however, this is a cry for help. This is a sign that nobody is truly comfortable in their own skin and although they are wealthy and seem to live a life of luxury, people like Effie Trinket are yet again just another piece in the Games by conforming to the social norms and expectations of them. In this context, they are just like all of the Districts, except they wear fancy clothes.
Capitol Influence on the Districts
It is spectacular how Collins gave each District a trade or a function, and how this is shown in the Tributes' chariot entrance to the Games. Katniss and Peeta are the fateful pair from District 12, a coal-mining district. Coal, black and soot come to mind for their costumes, but with the help of new fashion designer Cinna they become much more than this. It was this first costume that gave Katniss the nickname of 'The Girl on Fire'.
The promotional TV shows with presenter Caesar Flickerman were always an obvious reminder of Capitol fashion and how it replaces the Tributes' previous lives. They are the Capitol’s property now, and the Capitol is sure to make that known. Here, they produce the Tributes on television as a product of the Capitol, with unnatural embellishments, huge hair, and bright colours. Katniss' distaste for this process is largely apparent in the books.
It is spectacular how Collins gave each District a trade or a function, and how this is shown in the Tributes' chariot entrance to the Games. Katniss and Peeta are the fateful pair from District 12, a coal-mining district. Coal, black and soot come to mind for their costumes, but with the help of new fashion designer Cinna they become much more than this. It was this first costume that gave Katniss the nickname of 'The Girl on Fire'.
The promotional TV shows with presenter Caesar Flickerman were always an obvious reminder of Capitol fashion and how it replaces the Tributes' previous lives. They are the Capitol’s property now, and the Capitol is sure to make that known. Here, they produce the Tributes on television as a product of the Capitol, with unnatural embellishments, huge hair, and bright colours. Katniss' distaste for this process is largely apparent in the books.
Further to this, when the Tributes reach the training rooms before they enter the Arena, they are given uniforms with their District number on them. Each uniform, regardless of gender, is exactly the same. This could be seen as stripping them of their identity and replacing them with only a number, from then on only being a number to cross off a list of who is still living in the Arena. This de-personalisation of the Tributes is even more apparent in the Arena itself but this time they do not even have number representing their District telling them apart from the other Tributes.
Fashion in The Hunger Games is not just a display of who is wearing the nicer clothing, it is instead a very purposeful display of social class, conformity and is always a reminder of who is in control. Every citizen, no matter which District they are from, is under the thumb in one way or another.
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