As the year winds down, multiplexes fill up with films vying for award-season consideration. Thanks to a bumper crop of period movies, late 2012 has showcased some serious talent in the field of costume design. Some of the films are worth watching for wardrobe alone while others serve up but a handful of standout screen-style moments. But whether it's Lincoln's stovepipe hat or Janet Leigh's curve-hugging dress, the costumes here have one thing in common: they help advance the story without hijacking it.
--Adam Tschorn