Let’s Do The Time Warp Again: How Columbia’s iconic tap outfit reveals her vulnerability

Nell Campbell as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). 

Image Copyright: 20th Century Fox

Not much is known of Columbia’s life before meeting Frank-N-Furter, despite being the only human living in his castle prior to the arrival of Brad and Janet. But if we look closely at her wardrobe choices, we may be able to understand a lot more about Columbia. Columbia’s style is playful and eccentric; who else could pull off her iconic sequin overcoat or her Mickey Mouse ears and striped pajama outfit?

But of the four outfits Columbia wears in the movie, her most easily recognizable one is her outfit during the time warp. Nothing about an outfit covered in sequins (especially in such bold colors) is subtle, and her eye-catching bowtie, rainbow striped shorts, and her gold top hat all point to a delightfully gaudy Vaudeville influence, borrowing from a genre that’s far from understated.

All of these style choices indicate that Columbia is someone desperate to be seen, and this is a big reason why her first real introduction during the Time Warp proves to be tragically fitting for her character.

At first, she’s seated on a jukebox and is telling the story of how she came to join Frank while surrounded by the dancing crowd of Transylvanians. After sitting on her jukebox for a while, she finally finds the courage to join them, and she breaks into a beautiful tap dance, gleefully spinning and dancing around the room as the supportive party guests watch her, allowing her the space to dance to her heart’s content.

Sadly, her moment of confidence is cut short when she trips at the base of Frank’s throne, and she quietly puts on her hat and stands back up, trying to regain her dignity in front of an unsupportive Magenta.

In short, Columbia’s tap outfit reflects a person in desperate need of care and validation, with her over-the-top festive outfit indicating she uses fun and escapism to hide her own feelings of pain, trauma, and rejection. She might try to hide behind the party but no amount of surface level festivity can truly distract from what she’s going through while living in Frank’s castle.

About the author: Rachel St James is a lover of fashion, film, and part of the longest running continuous screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show in the world. Tickets to see the show and the Sensual Daydreams Shadow Cast in Milwaukee, Wisconsin can be purchased here.