EFFIE TRINKET AND FASHION IN THE ‘HUNGER GAMES’
BY AVERY CALLISON GRAPHIC BY CARLY HART
Since the release of the first Hunger Games book in 2008, author Suzanne Collins has explored themes of oppression, resistance, and social inequality through the division between the Capitol Panem and its 13 districts. Through the original trilogy and subsequent prequels, Collins details the origins of these brutal games and the systematic cruelty used by the Capitol to maintain control over the districts.
The fashion worn within the Capitol is a striking symbol of this divide. The over-the-top nature of the Capitol’s costumes is almost a declaration of power over the districts, teasing at what the districts cannot have. Lavish, eccentric, and almost grotesquely flamboyant, the Capitol’s fashion serves as a reflection of their excess and privilege.
Later on in the series, the lack of exaggerated outfits worn by former Capitol residents can be viewed as a quiet rebellion and nod to the resistance. Effie Trinket, the escort of District 12, embodies the chic demeanor of Capitol fashion. Through her wardrobe, she subtly reveals the downfall of Panem and the evolution of the districts.
With the announcement of a new film,“Sunrise on the Reaping,” fans flocked to social media to find out who will be cast as the younger versions of these beloved characters. The star-studded lineup includes Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Ralph Fiennes as President Snow, Maya Hawke as Wiress Wright, and Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy.
Many followers of the franchise were most eager to discover the actress who would portray Effie Trinket in the upcoming film, played by Elizabeth Banks in the original movies. With big shoes to fill, Elle Fanning was chosen to continue Effie’s bold and colorful legacy, a choice that excited many fans.
Effie’s style remained consistent with the Capitol’s standards, but it often stood out amongst the others that lived there. Her hair seldom took a natural color and she frequently flaunted expensive jewels, whether they were bedazzled onto her eyelashes or sewn into a meticulously crafted gown.
During District 12’s reaping ceremony in the first movie released in 2012, Effie was introduced wearing a floral headpiece, black gloves, a scarf-like necklace, and a dress with puffy sleeves. Maroon and white were the main colors represented in her getup, with her makeup following the same pattern.
Naturally, fans of her character were drawn to the idea of an actress who embodied similar stylistic intentions. By playing roles such as Catherine the Great in “The Great” and Aurora in “Maleficent,” she donned elegant clothing from both classical and mystical worlds. The clothing she wore in these roles and others similarly emulate the extravagant garbs of Effie throughout the franchise.
Effie’s legacy is also shown through her outfit choices after she left the Capitol and no longer had access to the luxuries she once enjoyed. Settled in District 13 during the rebellion, her grey ensemble with a bandana tied around her head represents her departure from the Capitol regime and a disconnect from the values it upheld.
Whether the character is played by Fanning or Banks, Effie’s costuming is more than just a flamboyant outfit; the presentation of her wardrobe symbolizes her privilege and her gradual realization of the corrupt Capitol system, a core theme throughout the “Hunger Games” series.
