What happens to the wardrobe stock once a film is finished?

Question

Do they donate the clothes, shoes, accessories, etc? Does the cast take stuff home? What happens to all those clothes?

Answer 1

They keep most of it.  It will then be used again on another movie.  Sometimes they will sell it, usually to cast, crew members and extras.  Sometimes they will give it to the cast member who wore it in the film.  If all else fails, they will donate it to a charity shop.

Really special costumes like superhero costumes or very distinctive costumes might be donated to a museum.

This only applies to costumes actually bought or made for the movie.  A lot of the wardrobe will be hired, either from specialised suppliers (the Australian opera is one of the main suppliers of exotic costumes in Australia) or from the wardrobe assistants, most of who have a range, particularly of extras wardrobe.

Answer 2

Most studios keep the costumes to re-use in other films.  Warner Bros studio has a huge warehouse containing tons of costumes from hundreds of movies.  Recently they've started selling/donating to museums those that are too old/valuable to be used again.  Some costumes are kept for display.  Universal sells some of their costume pieces in their park.  I know once Disney retires a park cast member uniform they burn all the remainders- they might do the same with movie costumes I don't know...  

I guess it varies studio to studio.  I know they're have been some movie costumes that I'd sure love to have in my closet!    

Answer 3

they sell it

or put it in a museum if they movie does super good