Nobody Dressed Like This in the 1920s: 'Peaky Blinders' Creators Changed 3 Costume Details to Better Reveal the Characters

Most would agree that Peaky Blinders is one of the most stylish series of recent years. The British crime saga about the Shelby gang won audiences over not only with its gripping plot, but also with its impeccable visual style. Airing from 2013 to 2022, the series received numerous awards and became a cult classic — thanks in large part to its meticulously crafted costumes. Though not always historically accurate, they helped make the characters’ appearances truly iconic. Here are three interesting details about the costume design choices.

Long Coats Instead of Historically Accurate Short Ones

Over the course of nine years, four costume designers worked on the series, but the overall style was shaped by Stephanie Collie. She deliberately stepped away from strict historical accuracy: real gangsters in the 1920s wore shorter, heavier coats. It turns out the costume team wanted to create a visual reference to one legendary film:

"We made them longer on purpose, so it looked like High Noon. Gangsters walking toward each other, coats billowing in the wind," Collie explained.

Muted Palette Instead of the Era’s Bright Colours

Another intentional departure from reality was the colour scheme. In the 1920s and ’30s, wealthy men often wore bright ties, bowties, scarves, and even shirts — but in the series, darker shades dominate.

"While their suits could be described as elegant, the characters aren’t going to wear bright colours like wealthy men do," Collie said.

According to her, the sombre tones perfectly convey the harsh nature of the characters — especially Thomas Shelby. The dark palette also acts as a social marker: a reminder of the gang’s working-class roots. The boys from Birmingham may have borrowed aristocratic fashion, but they deliberately avoided the flashy colours of the upper class — they weren’t trying to imitate the elite, but to forge their own distinctive style.

A Mix of Styles to Reflect the Gang’s Identity

The costume designers intentionally combined upper-class tweed suits with working-class elements — high boots and flat caps. This hybrid style reflected the dual nature of Peaky Blinders perfectly: while striving for power and wealth, they remained 'their own kind of men' for people from all walks of life. And the razor hidden in the cap’s peak became a visual metaphor for the whole story.

It was precisely these conscious breaks from historical accuracy that made the show’s style so recognisable and truly iconic. Sometimes, creating the perfect look requires a little creative liberty — and Peaky Blinders proved that brilliantly.