Do actors get to keep their clothes?

This is a common question that many people have about the clothes actors wear on TV shows and in movies. The short answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no. There are many factors that determine whether an actor gets to keep their wardrobe from a production or not.

Table of Contents

Contracts

One of the biggest factors is what is stipulated in an actor’s contract. For major feature films and TV shows, the studio or production company typically owns the wardrobe, and actors do not get to keep most pieces unless specified otherwise in their contract. Some actors with a lot of clout or star power may be able to negotiate keeping some key wardrobe pieces, but this is less common.

For smaller indie films and web series with lower budgets, it is more common for actors to provide their own wardrobe or have more flexibility to keep pieces they wear during filming. These productions may not have the budget for a full wardrobe department and rely more on the actors themselves to pull together their looks.

Wardrobe Department

The preferences and policies of the wardrobe department and costume designer also play a big role. Even if actors don’t get to keep clothes written into their contract, the costume designer may allow them to keep a few items if they are wrapping a long shoot or as a wrap gift. Or the designer may want to archive key pieces for their own portfolio or reuse items for future productions.

Renting vs. Buying

Whether wardrobe pieces are rented or custom-made for production also impacts if actors keep clothes. Items rented from costume houses must be returned. However, if a costume designer buys pieces the actor gets to wear during filming, they may gift these clothes to the performer.

Cost

The budget of a production and cost of the wardrobe also plays a role. Designers are more likely to allow actors to keep inexpensive, easy-to-replicate pieces. But they will want very expensive designer items or complex costumes back for archives and reuse.

Character Significance

For major characters with iconic wardrobes, actors are more likely to request keeping memorable pieces. For example, Sarah Jessica Parker kept many of Carrie Bradshaw’s statement dresses and accessories from Sex and the City. Wardrobe became so connected to her character that keeping items made sense.

But for minor roles or actors playing more than one role, there may be less sentimental attachment to the clothes. If pieces aren’t strongly identified with a specific character, wardrobe departments are less likely to gift them to actors.

Memorable Looks

Even for supporting roles, if an actor wears a really memorable look or outfit, they have a good chance of requesting to keep that item. Like Jennifer Beals keeping that famous Flashdance off-the-shoulder sweatshirt.

Everyday vs. Special Pieces

Actors are much more likely to keep everyday wardrobe items their character regularly wears like basic shirts, pants, or shoes. But very elaborate gowns, period costumes, and specialty outfits tend to remain with the production.

What Happens to Unclaimed Wardrobe?

For wardrobe pieces the actors don’t keep, they are typically returned to the costume designer or rental company. Expensive contemporary pieces may be sold by the studio. Vintage and period items are often archived by costume houses. Leftover everyday clothing may be donated.

Rental Returns

Most unused rental pieces are returned to the costume house or supplier. These are expertly cataloged and warehoused. Then the items can be rented again to future productions.

Sold to Recover Costs

Studios may resell very high-end contemporary wardrobe pieces to recover some costs. Often, these are unclaimed designs or multiples made for production.

Donations

For contemporary everyday clothes with no reuse or resale value, productions often donate these. Thrift stores, charities, drama programs, and costume shops are happy recipients.

Tax Write-Offs

There can also be financial and tax incentives for productions to donate wardrobe. Clothing and accessories given to charity can be written off as a business production expense. So cast and crew may be gifted random wardrobe items to then donate themselves.

Factor	More Likely to Keep	Less Likely to Keep
Contract Terms	Flexible indie contracts	Big studio/network owned wardrobe
Wardrobe Department	Gifts from designer	Designer wants pieces back
Purchased vs. Rented	Purchased pieces	Rented pieces
Character Significance	Major/iconic character	Minor roles
Outfit Type	Everyday basics	Elaborate costumes

Conclusion

So in summary, whether actors get to keep their wardrobe depends on many variables. For big budget productions, the studio tends to retain most pieces. But actors may negotiate keeping especially iconic items or be gifted selected articles from the costume designer. For smaller projects, there is more flexibility for actors to keep clothes, especially everyday items purchased for production. But elaborate rented costumes and pieces with reuse value still go back to the production company or costume supplier. With some lucky exceptions, actors usually only get to keep a few special mementos from their characters’ wardrobes.