JAWS fashion: The unlikely style icons

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Of all the fashionable movies, JAWS might not be the first that comes to mind, but the characters are wearing some looks! From Harry’s bad hat to a movie fashion icon: here are the best and the worst of JAWS.

Chrissie Watkins and her 70s style
JAWS was showing the height of fashion in the 1970s, with Chrissie and her friends embracing the denim-wrapped hippie look. Chrissie’s long hair, centre-parting, silver rings and jeans are 70s staples. Still, we only got a glimpse of her style before she went skinnydipping, and we all know what happened next…

Susan Backlinie as Chrissie Watknis in JAWS (1975)

Mrs Kintner’s swimsuit combo
That floral swimsuit. That bright yellow floppy hat. It might not be the most stylish of outfits but it’s one of the most memorable, and it’s one of many moments where JAWS uses yellow to signify danger. Lee Fierro, who played Mrs Kintner even received the swimsuit as a gift one Christmas. 

The shark fin prankster

You wouldn’t think that fake shark fins would catch on as a fashion accessory, but the legendary Bob Carlos Clarke made it work in one of his most famous pictures! Fake shark fins are still a prankster essential, and you can even get them for your pets.

Replica fake shark fin from JAWS available now in our store

The Artist in the red flag
Red is usually the “danger” colour, but in JAWS, it was yellow. From Alex Kintner’s yellow raft to those yellow barrels, yellow is everywhere that the shark is. There is, however, one exception… when Bruce enters the pond, the person to raise the alarm is an artist, whose bandana is a literal red flag.

Harry

When Harry approaches Brody on the beach and teases him about not going in the water, Brody retorts “that’s some bad hat, Harry”. Harry’s ill-fitting swimming cap immediately took on legendary status, with filmmaker Bryan Singer naming his film company, “Bad Hat Harry Productions” after the scene. 

JAWStoons devleoped in partnership with Rob Botts Toons

Mrs Kintner, back again

It wasn’t enough to wear all black, Mrs Kintner’s outfit screamed “I’m in mourning” louder than any funeral outfit, possibly ever. Still, the shrouded black and veiled hat look was overshadowed by what happened next. It took Lee Fierro 17 tries to successfully slap Roy Scheider, and fans asked her to recreate the moment ever since.

Hooper and his double denim
Hooper the hipster… We learn early on that Hooper came from money, making his first outfit slightly hilarious on a rewatch. With his double denim and beanie, he looks like he’s dressing up as a fisherman to try and fit in, and it makes him even more endearing. Of all the differences the movie made to the novel, this change in Hooper’s character is one of the best.

Ellen Brody: JAWS fashion icon

Ellen may not be a main character in JAWS but she has the most outfit changes and never goes wrong! From the Cinderella-like dress in her first scene to her strapless black swimsuit with sunglasses and the quintessential 70s hair scarf, Ellen Brody is the most stylish character in JAWS. 

Quint and his cap

When Hooper arrived in his “fisherman costume”, it took Quint seconds to verbally tear him to pieces. Lovable Hooper might have been trying too hard, but Quint’s effortless outfit showed he was the real thing. He’s still kept his military jacket but his signature pieces are the bandana and cap.

Mayor Vaughn and THAT jacket
The Mayor of Shark City doesn’t disappoint, giving us loud fashion throughout the movie and somehow managing to pull it off. I know more than a few of you want that anchor jacket, so would you wear it?

Words by Faith Roswell

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