Glader Guide: Costumes of The Maze Runner
In preparation for The Maze Runner’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con this summer, I’ve decided to start working on a Glader costume. I spoke with Terri de Haan, the costume supervisor for the film, and she very kindly answered some questions regarding the Gladers’ costumes. I’ve included links to all the items I could track down, although some are no longer available, and most items were dyed and broken down (added stitching, patches, etc.) by the costumers.
All of the boots are from Palladium Boots, both the leather and canvas versions in earth tones. For example, Thomas’ are the Baggy Leather in the color chocolate, which has limited availability through third party retailers and is not to be confused with sunrise/chocolate. However, the russet/gum combination is similar and currently being sold by Palladium.
Teresa’s shoes are also from Palladium and are the Pampa Oxford in boue.
For the vegetarians like myself, or anyone looking to save a few bucks on a cheaper option, the canvas version of the boot is available. Frypan and another Glader appear to wear the Baggy Canvas in stonewash metal.
The lace-up shoes that Chuck and Newt wear, as well as Thomas in the first few scenes, are by Pantagonia. They wear the Banyan Lace Hemp, which you can find on a few different online stores, including Amazon and 6pm.com. (It appears the shoe is no longer offered by Pantagonia, so size availability and pricing varies on third party retailers.)
Most of the Gladers’ pants are classic fit Dockers from JCPenny. (“No skinny legs—we had too many body types to fit.”) They were dyed two different colors and stonewashed, as well as aged with additional stitching and patches. Thomas, Teresa and Alby wore linen pants from The Gap that were also dyed. I found a similar Straight-Fit Linen Drawstring Pant from Gap-owned Banana Republic with the same front pocket and back pocket flaps that are visible on Thomas’ pants. For Zart and Chuck, Ralph Lauren cargo pants were bought and turned into cutoffs.
The Henley shirts were made by the Canadian company Homespun Knitwear from actual vintage patterns. “They are reproductions from early 20th century men’s undershirts. "The designer Simonetta wanted costumes that were timeless. Those henleys have been around since the early 1900s, also the classic chino and those Palladium boots from the 40s.” The costumers purchased them from J.Crew in plain and heathered before dying them. “Thomas had that distinctive blue one whereas the rest had earthy tones.” They can be purchased online through J.Crew in Good Company’s Homespun Knitwear collection and through Indigo & Cotton’s collection.
Minho’s workwear-style shirt was also purchased from J.Crew. It’s the Selvedge Japanese Chambray Utility Shirt, likely purchased in coastal blue. The costumers then gave it an ombre wash, which gives the sleeves a cool, banded effect when rolled up. If you want to get super detailed, the buttons would also need to be replaced with darker-colored ones. For only a third of the price, the Factory Chambray Workshirt in medium blue on J.Crew Factory is another option.
My favorite piece is the hooded linen shirts worn by Newt, Zart, Chuck (whose was altered to be sleeveless) and other Gladers, and it kills me that it’s no longer available. It was made by Zara and bought by the film’s costuming department in the spring of 2013. (“It took forever to find enough. I had to send a shopper to NY to go to 6 stores and buy up what they had.”) They were then aged and dyed different earth tones for different characters. Zara’s current hooded linen shirt is quite different, but you can still view the one used in the film on LYST if you have the skills to replicate it.
All the leather weapon holsters were made custom for the individual characters, as was Frypan’s apron. “The designer Simonetta was very specific on each actor’s harness depending on their role. I.e. Ben and Minho were runners, so they needed harnesses that they could run in. Newt had a quiver-type sling.” The various accessories were also customized. “We made a lot of long thin strips of leather to wrap around their wrists with cloth or socks that we cut the toes off to make wristlets.” The bags many characters have were bought from army surplus stores and then customized with added pieces to make them unique.
I hope all of that helps. Let me know if any product links need to be updated depending on changes in availability, or if you find “look for less” alternatives. Feel free to check back for updates. Happy cosplaying, Gladers!
