How the Cruella Movie Made Me Rethink Fashion in 5E D&D

You’re probably going to get the wrong impression when I tell you this entire article was inspired by the Cruella movie. It’s not readily apparent how exactly fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons meshes with this zany, beautiful disaster of a movie. Much like the Cruella movie, which doesn’t quite know what it wants to be at any given moment, so too this post may seem haphazard at first. Let’s hone in on the thing — fashion — something underrated by a great many 5E D&D players.

Notorious fashionistas of 5E D&D

When I first watched Cruella on Disney+ I laughed out loud many times at the plot shifting and zany devices the writers employed. Then came the definitive scene. You know the one, with the dress and the fire. It got me thinking about fashion in 5E D&D and specifically how fashion for adventurers holds so many possibilities. It’s true fashion can make a roleplaying statement and reveal a lot about a character. Even more so, imagine the potential function when designers go all out for adventurers!

What’s it got in its pockets, Precious?

People who wear skinny jeans or jeans with fake or shallow pockets know the frustration when you just need one functional pocket more than you’ve got. But it goes beyond this. Rogues everywhere would kill for clothes and armor with all sorts of hidden pockets.

I’ve seen many characters try to customize clothing with some extra hidden pockets. If you commission it, you risk the fact a vendor might remember who had the special, weirdly-sized pocket sewn into the inside of their pants. Weaver’s tools proficiency isn’t looking so useless now, is it?

Maybe your Trickery cleric needs a clandestine pocket for their holy symbol. Your barbarian or ranger might want to tailor a fresh kill to have a little bit of style or fashionable function. Alternatively, we already have bags of holding. I could totally envision a wizard with pockets of holding. Heck, give that thing to the rogue and they’ll never get caught stealing!

If looks could kill

One of my favorite ideas for fashion involves improvised weapons. Many nerdy franchises incorporate weapons into their characters’ sense of style! From bladed hair clasps to poisoned throwing hair needles, covert weapons work for any given look. Before you say these ideas are only for the ladies, remember how Altair in Assassin’s Creed wears his blades on spring-loaded bracers. Those are definitely less improvised but no less deadly.

Utility belts are always in fashion. Just ask Batman! What’s more, utility is subjective. Artificers take note — the utility belt is the penultimate piece of gear for any inventor worth their salt.

If you’ve ever been kicked with a steel-toed boot you know the weapon damage potential with a weaponized boot. One of my favorite NPCs from Dungeons & Delving had a blade-toed boot.

We’re not even going to touch the spiked codpiece from Munchkin.

Whether it’s hiding weapons, holding weapons or simply being a weapon in itself, an adventurer’s garb should absolutely slay!

Only limited by your im-MAGIC-nation

Spells are super versatile and magic items are a staple of the genre. Mystical fashionistas everywhere, rejoice! Every great magic item only needs an effect or two — or ten, plus a dash of congruent aesthetic.

Of course, you can talk all day about +1, +2, etc. pieces of armor and clothing but it’s not the bonus that makes the magic item. Not really. Flavor is everything here. Sure, a cloak of protection is nice and winged boots are handy but it’s so much cooler if the cloak of protection literally wraps around you to guard you in an instant, much like the Dr. Strange’s Cloak of Levitation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Those winged boots are all the more interesting when you realize they have dragonfly or humming bird wings letting you flit like a super fast helicopter. Who’s to say glamoured armor always has to be leather?

Imagine the style of shifting when your armor transforms. When your white dress goes up in flames revealing a shimmering ruby gown, nobody will give a second thought to its illusory nature because they’ll be blinded by the flashy glamour.

Free spells to cast, fabric that’ll last. Shifting colors, styles, patterns or cloth-based armor class that matters! Resistance to elements, attracting all the gents. Initiative, proficiency! Expertise! Ammo efficiency! If you can dare it, you can wear it!

What’s your impression?

Do any of your 5E D&D characters have a memorable outfit? Do one of your current or retired characters have attire with some character? Whatever your thoughts, drop us a comment and a share!

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*Featured image — Emma Stone stars in Disney’s Cruella, which explores the rebellious early days of one of cinema’s most notorious — and notoriously fashionable — villains, Cruella de Vil. Set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock revolution, the movie follows a young grifter named Estella and reveals the series of events that cause her to embrace her wicked side and become the raucous and revenge-bent Cruella. [Image courtesy Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]