What is the importance of "clothing" in the motion picture, All About Eve?

Throughout the film, the dresses and coats that the characters wear helps to tell the viewer something about them. These are used to symbolize personalities and sometimes even motivations. Though many people might overlook the clothing, it is one of the most revealing aspects of the film.

In the beginning of the film, we learn the status of the characters by looking at their clothing. We first see everyone at the awards ceremony and realize that they are all dressed in fine clothes, so they must be wealthy. Then, we see Eve in the beginning, and realize that, unlike the others, she has not always had fine clothes. Eve's shabby clothes, which she wears in the street while it's raining, help us to see the comparison between her status and that of the other main characters.

Later, we are also able to learn about peoples' motivations through their dress. Eve holds Margo's costume up to her and begins taking bows early in the film, and we realize that Eve's goal is to become the next Margo. In the final scene, we see Phoebe take Eve's coat and do the same thing; the connection is clear - Phoebe will be to Eve what Eve was to Margo.