Why the Iconic Costumes in 'The Matrix' Are About So Much More Than 'a Black Shiny Coat'

"The Matrix," which premiered in theaters on March 31, 1999, more than holds up two decades later — and not only because Keanu Reeves is evergreen , Carrie-Anne Moss will forever take names and Laurence Fishburne always commands the screen.

So "fashion was the last thing, honestly" on Barrett's mind in 1998 while prepping for the movie. "All I thought was: How can I make these worlds be real and be distinctive?" she explains. "It was all about how to create a language that the audience could clue them into what we were doing subconsciously. So when the story began to reveal itself, it was already embedded in some way in the consciousness.

Barrett ran with the concept to create the characters' now-iconic and differentiated sleek looks with the duster-length coats and micro-sunglasses . "When they go into the Matrix, they create their persona, which is how they see themselves," she explains. "So that was a chance to have a little bit of fun."

The practicality for the outfit also served a purpose for Moss's strength and athletic abilities in real life. "Apart from the visual storytelling element, all my actors are doing stunts and they still have to be actually really protected," Barrett explains, about building costumes to allow for wires, harnesses and safety padding, especially since Moss did a bulk of her own stunts.

To help Neo sartorially channel "The One" in his duster-length wool coat, Barrett looked a mix of cultures and religions around the globe, starting with Japanese Samurai and 18th century Chinese warriors in the vein of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Barrett also incorporated influences of "cassocks" worn by clergy leaders in various Western religions.

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