Wuthering Heights: Epic Inspiration

Dramatic landscapes, passionate storytelling and epic costumes; Wuthering Heights hit the box office over Valentine’s weekend and caused a sensation which hasn’t yet slowed down. With the film now arriving for at home streaming, we're sharing pattern suggestions inspired by the world of Wuthering Heights.

If you’ve seen the movie you’ll have been captivated by the extraordinary creations crafted by two-time Oscar winning Costume Designer Jacqueline Durran. Durran was responsible for Kristen Stewart’s Chanel looks in Spencer, the March sisters’ ballgowns in Little Women, and Keira Knightley’s iconic outfits in Anna Karenina, Pride & Prejudice and Atonement… Yes, that green dress!

Each look has its own language, especially when it comes to showcasing Cathy’s emotions — from the dramatic wedding dress with vulnerable off-the-shoulder silhouette, armour-like corsets, the rich red velvet cape and the two dresses that look like latex but actually made of ultra shiny, synthetic, plasticized fabric.

Durran spoke of another iconic look in her interview with British Vogue — "there’s a Russian hat, which she wears at Christmas with a white dress that’s got this silver thread running through it. It’s glamorous and appropriate for the weather, and there’s also an icy cold brittleness to the whole image."

With over 50 costumes made for Margot Robbie’s Cathy alone, our minds started whirring with designs in the Simplicity pattern collection that could fit into Emerald Fennell’s vision of the Wuthering Heights world. Think dramatic sleeves, laced bodices, ethereal layers, and boned corsets. Channel your own main character energy, with either a full ballgown creation or inspired nods you can add to your everyday wardrobe.

Corsets feature heavily, often worn over dresses or with dirndl skirts. With our huge range of designs you really can make your dream corset, whether historically accurate or a more modern interpretation. Adding boning creates a rigid structured silhouette but less restrictive unboned versions are available too. In the movie there are also lace front, lace back and underbust styles, floral prints and more.

The movie starts by showing us little Cathy and Heathcliffe, meeting and playing on the moors — Simplicity 9592 view C stands out as a good match. Take a look at Butterick 5935 for a popular corset. And S3095 for its striking rose trimmed straps.

When Cathy travels across the bleak snowy moors to see her father her rich velvet red cape stands out against the whiteness. Very "little red riding hood" coded. Simplicity 3190 is a gorgeous new cape design from Raine Emery with ruching that's reminiscent of a theatre curtain style swag detail. There’s also an extensive video sewalong.

A lot of Cathy’s dresses feature a wide neckline, off the shoulders with low bust line. Many with basque waists and voluminous skirts. The wedding dress features puff sleeves and padded hips — it looks really similar to Angela Clayton’s McCall’s 7885. Another perfect Cathy style dress is S8411 with plunging neckline and shaped centre front waist.

M7965 and B6501 are two great pattern options where you could lower the necklines and adapt the sleeves to create the billowing effect of the high shine black dress — That dress has been one of the stand out pieces people loved from the film.

There are many epic sleeves in this movie. There’s a white dress with amazing puff detail sleeves just like Simplicity 8839. And make sure to check out Gunne Sax design S3215 — Those leg of mutton style sleeves are huge and bold.

Butterick 7017 is a sleeve only pattern with some really interesting sleeves that fit into the world of the film. I love the gathered head balloon silhouette of view B as well as the dramatic ruched sleeve option of view A.

For the cellophane-inspired pastel nightdress Cathy wears on her wedding night, take a look at Vogue 2108 as a pretty place to start, perfect in tulle. The romantic shoulder details make it an eye-catching piece full of romantic drama. This advanced pattern would make a thrilling challenge for your next sewing project.

Our curated collection — Regency and Beyond — offers a wide range of patterns for both beginner and advanced sewists, perfect for this time period and more modern interpretations you can fit into your everyday wardrobe.