It's no secret that the majority of our daily-style heroes are fictional characters played by A-list stars in silver-screen flicks.
Since the dawn of the camera, film and fashion have maintained a unique symbiosis - with iconic characters setting global trends and defining eras. From Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to James Dean’s rebellious denim and leather look in Rebel Without a Cause, cinema has influenced fashion’s evolution and vice versa. Characters often become style icons, with their clothing symbolising aspects of their personalities and the cultural zeitgeist. For instance, Diane Keaton’s tailored menswear in Annie Hall sparked a craze for androgynous style, while Carrie Bradshaw's eclectic wardrobe in Sex and the City epitomised fashion as self-expression.
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Unlike with photography, the 360° element of the film camera captures a piece's movement, conveying dimension for added drama. Consider the flowing silhouette of Penny Lane's eponymous 'Penny Coat' in Almost Famous, the sumptuous silk layers of Marilyn Monroe's candy pink gown in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and the beautifully puffed skirt of Dorothy's gingham frock. Cinema captures the essence of clothing in all it's splendour.
From opulent costumes worn by Old Hollywood on-screen muses to more light-hearted flicks featuring some eternally quotable lines, we've taken a look back at some of the best movies to satisfy your sartorial curiosity.
Hello! Fashion shares the best fashion films for a serious dose of cinematic style inspo:
If you've had the pleasure of sitting down to witness the visual splendour of Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things unfold before you, then you'll know just how dreamy Bella Baxter's wardrobe is. Featuring frothy Victoriana collars, mutton leg sleeves, corsets, tiered skirts and ballet flats, the film serves as a style symphony from start to finish. The Academy thought so too, awarding the film's costume designer Holly Waddington the Oscar for best costume.
Challengers, 2024
Not many films kickstart an entire Gen Z trend, but Luca Guadagnino's sporting spectacle did exactly that. The film's costumes championed 'tenniscore' aesthetics, blending sporty elegance with Hamptons-esque high fashion. Designed to reflect the competitive and glamorous world of tennis, outfits worn by the troublesome trio featured sleek polo dresses, crisp whites, and athletic-inspired streetwear. We may never recover from Zendaya's hot pink Juicy Couture hoodie.
Greta Gerwig's 2022 think-pink blockbuster starring Margot Robbie single-handedly inspired the entire world to start wearing pink. Designed by Jacqueline Durran, the film's preppy outfits ranged from classic pink suits and sequinned gowns to modern, playful ensembles, capturing Barbie’s evolving image. Each look reflects Barbie’s iconic status, merging fantasy with today’s fashion trends and of course, feminism.
Olivia Wilde's 2022 mystery/thriller Don't Worry Darling starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles is a fashion-fuelled flick of 1950s glamour with a subtle, eerie twist, highlighting the film's underlying tension. Designed by Arianne Phillips, the outfits feature chic, structured silhouettes, vibrant prints, and polished accessories. These vintage-inspired looks emphasised the film’s idyllic yet unsettling atmosphere, adding depth to each character’s facade. Think Slim Aarons meets a suburban 1950s Tupperware party.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, 2019
Tarantino did it again. The famed director served up late nostalgic style by the bucket load in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, encapsulating the vibrant, rebellious aesthetic of late 1960s Los Angeles. Designed by Arianne Phillips, the outfits ranged from Sharon Tate’s bohemian chic to Cliff Booth’s laid-back denim and Rick Dalton’s Western-inspired wardrobe. Each look reflected the era’s free-spirited fashion, immersing viewers in Hollywood’s golden age. Sharon Tate's family even lent Margot Robbie some of the late actress' pieces for the picture.
The Great Gatsby, 2013
As expected, the costumes of 2013 Roaring Twenties classic The Great Gatsby exudedopulence and jazz-age glamour. Designed by Catherine Martin, the outfits featured lavish flapper dresses, beaded gowns, and tailored suits that reflected the characters' wealth and status. These art deco-inspired looks, rich in detail and sparkle, embody the era’s decadence and Gatsby’s pursuit of grandeur. Now, where's our party invite, old sport?
Starring Isla Fisher, this fashion-centric romcom is a total joy if you need cheering up. Not quite managing to practise what she preaches, shopaholic Rebecca accidentally lands a job as a financial columnist and finds herself in trouble when her splurgy past catches up with her.
One word: divisive. But for true SATC stans (guilty as charged), it's totally watchable for the fashion alone. Big may have jilted Carrie at the altar – don't get me started – but you'd have thought that Vivienne Westwood bridal showstopper would have softened the blow a little, right? The actual film is an acquired taste, but the dead bird fascinator? Passes with flying colours.
Atonement, 2007
Atonement's periodic costumes reflect quintessential 1930s elegance, with the green dress worn by Keira Knightley’s character as an unforgettable highlight. Designed by Jacqueline Durran, the iconic emerald silk gown symbolises passion and tragedy, becoming central to the story's passion-fuelled tension.
No best-of fashion film list would be complete without a mention of this bona fide noughties classic. Meryl Streep gives the performance of a lifetime (she's delivered a fair few at this point) as acerbic editor Miranda Priestly, a playful caricature of fashion mag royalty Anna Wintour. Anne Hathaway's character Andy Sacchs gets the metamorphosis makeover treatment, and wears – the Chanel boots? Yeah, she does. Take that Emily Blunt.
This 1990s retelling of Jane Austen's Emma holds a special place in the heart of fashion fanatics, myself included. From Cher's genius digitised wardrobe (why is this still not a thing?), and her endlessly cool tartan layering moment, this film is filled with killer outfit inspo, and yet, it's the sheer shirt over the Calvin Klein slip that does it for us. Perfection. May you never stumble into some bad lighting…
Julia Roberts. If that doesn't convince you, frankly what will? This classic rags-to-riches romcom features so many fashion victories, from Vivian's glossy thigh-high boots and the OG Hunza G cut-out mini to the opera-worthy Marilyn Vance red gown and demure polo polka dots. I believe that's what they call two hours well spent…
Baby carried a watermelon, and she also carried this entire film. Not strictly true, Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle is reliably dreamy, but Jennifer Grey's costumes are seriously first-rate. The balletic, frothy pink number from the iconic lift scene gets all the love, but I'm still forever obsessed with Baby's cropped white shirt and jorts moment from the steamy rehearsal.
If you're in the mood for a musical, Grease hits the spot every single time without fail. Highlights include: Rizzo's bad-girl hourglass silhouette, Pink Ladies jackets and silver Beauty School Dropout babydolls (a personal fave), but obviously Sandy's nature-defying disco pants – Olivia Newton-John had to be sewn into them – trump the lot.
This 1967 neo-noir crime film features ravishing beauty Faye Dunaway, and rest assured, the fashion does not disappoint. Silk bandanas, editorial-worthy berets and 1930s-inspired cuts all get a look-in, but that flicky bob? Talk about hair heaven.
If Audrey Hepburn stars, the costume is set to be an utter delight. In My Fair Lady, characters are bedecked in dazzling displays of Edwardian elegance, with protagonist Eliza Doolittle experiencing one of film's most captivating fashion's evolution. Designed by Cecil Beaton, the outfits capture Eliza's journey from flower girl to refined lady, featuring ornate gowns, delicate lace, and striking hats. The iconic black-and-white Ascot ensemble epitomises the film's grandeur and attention to period detail.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall during the early days of 'Le Scandale', as Richard Burton so fondly dubbed it. Oh, indeed. No big-budget epic will ever properly compare to Cleopatra, a project that saw a staggering $194,800 allocated to Elizabeth Taylor's Queen of the Nile costumes. Designer Renié Conley rightly won the 1963 Academy Award for her exceptional work, which included sensual serpent motifs, larger-than-life headpieces and Midas-grade swathes of gold.
Bringing Truman Capote's classic novella to life, this film tells the story of the inimitable Holly Golightly, and offers a commentary on wealth and happiness. The wildly glamorous and enigmatic protagonist is played by vintage beauty Audrey Hepburn who, in one of the most memorable on-screen fashion moments of all time, sports a little black dress created by Hubert de Givenchy.
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