The Alice In Wonderland Aesthetic

There are a few films which I have watched over and over again. But Alice in Wonderland, both the animated and Tim Burton's live-action version, is one that I can not stop watching. 

Its color imagery, its creativity, its alluring mysticism, its fashion and beauty have quite literally been turned into an aesthetic of its own. 'The Alice in Wonderland aesthetic'. 

And it is crazy to think that 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' was originally published by Lewis Carroll all the way back in 1865. 

I think this film manages to nail the bridged sensation between comfort and discomfort, as we dip into weird narrative, wondrous characters, and wacky wardrobe choices. 

For example, the protagonist Alice's costume becomes increasingly more dishevelled, yet she becomes more confident as a person, perhaps promoting the crux of this aesthetic: imperfect beauty. 

Mesmerising Colors 

Tim Burton's opening scenes of Alice's engagement party display a sea of colorless drabness. Greys, whites, and light blues. 

As the film opens the door to a parallel world of creativity, we become entranced by an array of mesmerising colors; orange flowers, the bright blue smoking caterpillar, the reds and blues of the Queen of Hearts' makeup. 

The film has often been described as a hallucinogenic trip, a journey through the deepest parts of our imagination, which makes the watching experience all the more beautiful.

You become even more transfixed by this film as you sink into its symphony of spellbinding tunes by Danny Elfman. I immediately smile when I hear 'Alice's theme'; bless my ears.  

It is a true piece of intelligence and art. 

The timeless dress-sense

The iconic looks within this film are endless. 

But one which is especially timeless is the Mad Hatter's outfit.

Based on seventeenth-century hat makers, who often lost their sanity due to the opium in the hat-making process, the Mad Hatter is dressed in a fancy bowtie, a wonky ribboned hat and chunky boots. 

Splashes of purple make his outfit especially hypnotic. I think we can all take a page out of his playful experimentation. 

Refreshing Wackiness 

Living in an age of obsession with screens, laptops and the 'corporate core' aesthetic, Alice in Wonderland's focus on wacky imperfection offers a refreshing alternative mode of living. 

We could all profit from its eccentricity, as it teaches us that life is more fun when we ditch prim and proper and we harness weirdness and wackiness. 

So, this article is a thank you to Alice in Wonderland. I will forever appreciate its genius and timeless creativity.