• Style Guides
    • All Style Guides & Tips
    • Boho Style Essentials
    • Classic Style Essentials
    • Edgy Style Essentials
    • College Wardrobe Essentials
  • College
    • All College Articles
    • Dorm Bedding 2020
    • College School Supplies Checklist
    • Dorm Color Scheme Guide
    • Dorm Organization Tips
  • Outfit Ideas
    • All Outfit Inspo
    • College Outfits
    • 21st Birthday Outfits
    • Cold Weather Outfits
  • Sorority
    • All Things Sorority
    • Sorority Rush Essentials
    • Sorority Rush Outfits
  • Shopping
    • All Shopping Guides
    • Best Budget Fashion Stores
    • Where to Buy Sweaters
    • Best Online Thrift Stores
    • Timeless Jewelry Guide
    • Amazon Favorites 2021
  • Beauty
    • All Things Beauty
    • Makeup Essentials Guide
    • “No Makeup” Makeup
College Fashion
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Write for us

Stage-Inspired Fashion: Rent

Viva la vie bohème!

Last Updated on February 24, 2019 by Kayla - Northeastern University
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

From the costumes to the set, from the words of the script to the movements of the actors, everything on stage tells a story. Stage-Inspired Fashion adds a little drama to everyday style.

Rent New Touring Cast

Official Promotional Image

Since the 20th Anniversary Tour is in full swing, I thought it was time to revisit Rent!

Behind the Scenes

Rent is Jonathan Larson’s loose adaptation of the opera La Bohème. Set in New York City in the early 1990s, it follows a year in the lives of young, struggling artists affected by HIV/AIDS. For many people, including me, Rent was a gateway drug to musical theatre–it introduced a lot of people to the modern musical scene.

If you’re not familiar with the show, I highly recommend listening to the original Broadway cast recording! Rent is almost entirely sung-through, and the catchy rock score showcases the voices of all of the company members.

Although there are so many great characters in this show, today I’m focusing on three of my favorites: Mark, Angel, and Mimi. I’m reimagining their iconic costumes from the original production using today’s fashion trends. Keep reading to see all three outfits inspired by Rent!

Mark Cohen

From here on in, I shoot without a script.
See if anything comes of it.

Mark Cohen

Products: Sweater – American Eagle, Pants – H&M, Jacket – Forever 21, Sneakers – Wet Seal, Scarf – H&M, Ring – Etsy

Mark, the narrator, is a filmmaker faced with a choice: Should he make his documentary and not earn any money OR sell out and work for a seedy news network? Because he’s often behind the camera, he worries that he’s not engaged enough with his community of friends.

For a practical outfit inspired by Mark, pair a colorblocked sweater with plain black jeans and white sneakers. Keep warm with a navy knit scarf and a baby-blue bomber jacket. Mark wouldn’t be complete without his camera, so accessorize with a silver camera ring.

Angel Dumott Schunard

Today for you, tomorrow for me!

Angel Dumott Schunard

Products: Dress – ModCloth, Jacket – Forever 21, Socks – H&M, Boots – Forever 21, Headband – Forever 21

Angel is a talented street musician who somehow makes a Santa costume look fashionable. The play doesn’t define Angel’s gender–she is usually played by a male actor, she often wears skirts and dresses, and other characters refer to her with both male and female pronouns. Angel has AIDS and struggles more and more with her illness as the show goes on.

For a more wearable take on Angel’s Santa costume, put on a bright red mini dress with thigh-high socks and high-heeled velvet boots. Looking at her costume’s appliqué details, it’s safe to say that Angel would love the patch and pin trend currently happening. Throw on a patched denim jacket, and finish the look with a huge bow headband.

Mimi Marquez

There is no future, there is no past.
I treat each moment as my last.

Mimi Marquez

Products: Bra – Aerie, Leggings – Forever 21, Bomber – H&M, Sneakers – H&M, Bracelet – Etsy

Mimi is an HIV-positive erotic dancer battling heroin addiction. She’s nineteen when the play begins, which seemed so old when I first watched Rent and seems so young now. She believes in living in the moment, and she is the source of the play’s tagline “no day but today.”

To capture Mimi’s bold athleisure style, pair a black sports bra with tuxedo-stripe leopard print leggings. Add high-top platform sneakers, a bright satin bomber jacket, and a bracelet that displays Mimi’s most famous line.

Epilogue

I’m sad to say that this is my last post for Stage-Inspired Fashion and CF. Thank you so much for reading my column for the past few semesters!

Your Thoughts?

Were you ever a Rent-head? Have you seen the musical or the movie? Which character is your favorite? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Tags : Stage Inspiration, Theater

2 Comments
Originally published on December 29, 2016
Previous Author-Inspired Fashion: Charles Dickens
Next Geek Chic: The Evolution of Leia Organa

Related Posts

At-Home-Photoshoot-Ideas

At Home Photoshoot Ideas to Capture Your #OOTD

Black dress halloween costume - girl wearing a black dress holding a pumpkin

13 Little Black Dress Halloween Costume Ideas

Celebrity Street Style of the Week: Bella Hadid wearing a white button front blouse, lace-up side jeans, and red pointy toe ankle boots, Selena Gomez wearing a black ribbed turtleneck, a black mini skirt with a metal detail, a gray and black plaid long coat, and red mules, and Charlotte McKinney wearing a red leather Moto jacket, a cropped white t-shirt, black corduroy flared pants, and red pointy toe heels

Celebrity Street Style of the Week: Bella Hadid, Selena...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer Lindsay says

    April 15, 2019 at 11:40 am

    Really going to miss the stage fashion, they were my favorite posts! Good luck in your future endeavors!

    Reply
    • Kayla Allen says

      May 29, 2019 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin

SEARCH CF

Get the latest CF updates! (Delivered weekly, no spam ever, unsubscribe anytime.)

Addison Rae

Addison Rae’s Clothes: How to Dress Like Addison Rae

Dress like a TikTok star: these are the key items for getting Addison Rae’s style, for less.

Bridgerton outfits

I Dressed Like Bridgerton Characters for a Week and Here’s What Happened

After becoming a smashing success, Bridgerton captured our fashion-attention. This week, I brought Bridgerton’s style to the 21st century.

Vintage Posts

Copyright © 2007-2021 College Fashion LLC | Contact • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service • Disclosure • Write for Us