Hello again, friends. For the next installment of our stage fashion inspiration series (see the first post on fashion inspired by Wicked), we’re tackling the mega-musical Les Mis.
Les Miserables is probably one of the most important shows you’ll learn about in any Broadway 101 class. (My college actually offered one and it was probably the most fun class I’ve ever taken.) Based on the novel by Victor Hugo and known as one of the most influential musicals ever written, Les Mis is the third longest running show on Broadway, and the London West End production is the longest running show in the world!
Whether you’re a fan of operas or prefer more modern-sounding musical numbers, the soundtrack for Les Mis will BLOW. YOUR. MIND. Seriously. The songs are moving, powerful, and of course, feature some wicked harmonies. If you’re new to the music of Les Miserables, check out versions by Susan Boyle, Lea Michelle or Nick Jonas, who got his start playing Gavroche on Broadway and now stars as Marius in the LA revival.
As much as I love the music from Les Mis, I love the costumes as well. Think wearable outfits can’t be adapted from costumes based around the French Revolution? Read on!
Table of Contents
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Les Miserables follows a group of people who search for redemption, love, and prosperity during the French Revolution. The plot is a little too complicated to justly explain in a few sentences, so if you’re interested, click here for the full synopsis.
Homeless chic style has understandably caused tons of controversy in the past, so musicals like Les Miserables and Oliver! are more ethical sources of inspiration if you’re attracted to gritty style. The characters in Les Mis experience periods of extreme wealth and poverty, creating outfits that exemplify “high-low” fashion in its purest form.
Expensive coats and trousers from the characters’ pasts have grown old and tattered, but they still wear them with pride, giving each character an eclectic look. Characters also layer a myriad of different textures, patterns, and fabrics to protect themselves from harsh French winters. They combine formal vests with utilitarian coats, and wear tough boots and warm hats out of necessity. Add accessories like scarves, fingerless gloves, or a leather belt to complete your look.
Friends of the Abaisse
The Friends of the Abaisse (also known as the Friends of the ABC) are a group of revolutionary students dedicated to uplifting the poor, building a democracy, and fighting for justice. As college students, many of them come from well-to-do families and used to live comfortable lives before the war hit.
Even in the 1800s, stripes were a staple of French ensembles, so start your look with a striped top. Add a tweed pair of trousers, a scarf, beret, lace up oxford shoes, and an old fashion military-esque coat to complete the look.
Shirt, Trousers, Scarf, Beret, Shoes, Coat
Enjolras
Enjolras is the passionate leader of the Friends of Abaisse. He gets to sing many of the powerful anthems and most recognizable songs in the musical, including One Day More, Look Down, Red and Black, and Do You Hear The People Sing?
Enjolras’s costume is perhaps the most iconic look to come from Les Miserables. To mimic it without looking costume-y, lose the puffy blouse and cummerbund and replace them with red skinnies, a navy button-down shirt, and of course, his signature vest.
Shirt, Scarf, Vest, Pants, Boots
Eponine
Eponine is one of the most coveted roles on Broadway (our girl Lea Michelle from Glee even snagged it once). Once a pampered child, Eponine’s family was hit hard by tough economic times and she was reduced to living on the streets.
Snag her look in a modern way by pairing a peasant blouse with a maxi skirt. Add a belt, trench coat, necklace, and her signature hat to complete the look.
Hat, Skirt, Blouse, Coat, Belt, Shoes, Necklace
Gavroche
Gavroche, Eponine’s brother and a brave street urchin, doesn’t let his young age or small stature keep him from helping start the revolution.
Get his style by pairing a blouse with tweed shorts. (Layer tights underneath for extra style and warmth.) Finish the look with a vest, a newsboy cap, a messenger bag, and tough-looking military boots.
Hat, Messenger Bag, Tights, Shorts, Blouse, Vest, Boots
Thoughts?
Have you seen Les Miserables? What did you think of it? What are your favorite parts? What is your favorite song? Did you find the costumes inspiring? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!
And don’t forget to let us know what musical or play you would like to see us cover in the future — you just might see your request next week! =)
Oh my god! So happy about this. I saw Les Mis at Queen’s Theatre in London this summer (yay for Alfie Boe, Matt Lucas, and HADLEY FRASER!) and it was one of the best days of my life.
You did lovely with the fashion (:
I’d adore a Phantom of the Opera post (:
Love, love, love, love, love this. Les Miserables was my first musical…as in my parents had a copy of the 10th Anniversary Concert VHS and I had the whole thing memorized by the time I was 8. It will always be my favorite!
Great outfits, too 🙂
P.S. I know Nick Jonas has a wider audience, but seriously, Michael Ball is probably the greatest Marius *ever*. And I’m a little bit sad that there’s no Lea Salonga in the Eponine photo set..no love for Miss Saigon/Mulan/Jasmine?
@Jeanni
The French revolution was from 1789-1799, but Les Miserable takes place during the June Rebellion in 1832, which was after the July Revolution in 1830 and before the French revolution of 1848. History major, can’t help it!
I love the Eponine outfit. I’ve been all about maxi skirts this fall, so cute. And I love this series!
Nooo, but the vest must be red! Haha, I really love the red vest, I think I’d definitely try to find one in order to channel my inner Enjolras, but heaven knows how long it would take to find one! These outfits are awesome!
My high school did Les Mis when I was a junior and I was the costume captain 🙂 I’m impressed with the way you translated the costumes to the street style….you could even use them as costumes in a contemporary adaptation maybe.
Who knows lol
Gavroche’s outfit has got to be my favourite. I love Les Mis!
If you want some musicals to pull fashion inspiration from, I like to look at France’s comedie musicales. Romeo et Juliette (especially the revival version) and Mozart L’Opera Rock have gorgeous costumes. I’d kill to get my hands of some of the things their casts got to wear!
LOVE these outfits!! Can’t wait to try them out!
What an amazing piece! You really captured the characters of the play and made it into incredible wearable outfits!! I think this might be one of my favorite CF posts ever! Great job!
I love this! Maybe I’ll wear one of these outfit inspirations when I see Les Mis later this year! You should do Phantom of the Opera next (the show, not the movie!)
I just Stumbled here and am very impressed! I love the idea of translating Les Mis into real street wear! Clever girl….I have a feeling I’ll be wearing your designs before long!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! Les Mis is my favorite broadway show ever… great clothes too!
Love this post! Menswear and military inspired pieces are my absolute favorite!
I love the translation of costume to outfit! I’ve never seen the musical (sad, I know!), but the military details, satchels, and oxfords seem right up my alley!
I love that you’re writing about fashion inspiration on Broaday shows. Most people don’t even know what Broadway is! They just think it’s “some place in New York.”
Also, I would like to ask you to write about other shows that aren’t like Wicked (and more like Phantom, Chicago, West Side Story, My Fair Lady and Gypsy. You know… the classics). I mean I love Wicked and the costumes are amazing (talking about Glinda of course) but I think it’s kind of overrated and I’m starting to get annoyed with people who listen to “Defying Gravity” by Glee (not even the original Wicked cast) and think they are Broadway experts and are actually proud of it.
I love Glee, I love Wicked. I just dislike people who declare themselves Broadway experts when they don’t even know who Ethel Merman is.
Les Miz is one of my favorite (because it’s a classic show) and thanks for posting about it!
These outfits and I should get married.
@Lexi, I didn’t know Gavroche was Eponine’s brother in the book! I really feel like I should read it instead of just knowing the story from the musical, but it’s… so… long.
Keep it up, CF!
Gavroche was not Eponine’s brother in the play, only in the book.