When The Silver Screen Defines Fashion
From inspired everyday wear to timeless Halloween costumes, the movies have birthed countless looks that'll go down in history. The outfits actors wear play a more significant role in the film than meets the eye at first, capturing characters, eras, and representing themes and motifs integral to the storyline. Here are 20 of the most iconic fashion moments ever to go down in movie history.
Trailer screenshot on Wikimedia
1. Diane Keaton in Annie Hall
Diane Keaton in 70s menswear? Yes, please! The waistcoat, tie, and bowler hat look had a lasting impact on women's fashion and there was no better person to pull it off.
Leo Stern (publicity) on Wikimedia
2. Alicia Silverstone in Clueless
Alicia Silverstone in Clueless can pretty much be given all the credit for popularizing prep in the 80s. The plaid yellow blazer and mini skirt ensemble will forever be remembered and recreated.
Caroline Bonarde Ucci on Wikimedia
3. Gwyneth Paltrow in The Royal Tenenbaums
Wes Anderson movies are celebrated for their unique and beautiful aesthetic and the costume design is a big part of that. Gwyneth Paltrow's Margot Tenenbaum wouldn't have been complete without the heavy eyeliner, fur coat, and pink gloves.
4. Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's
You can't think about 1960s glamour without thinking about Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. The form-fitting long black dress, elbow-length gloves, and big pearl necklace were undoubtedly the most iconic look in the film.
The Fun Chronicles on Wikimedia
5. Keira Knightly in Atonement
Keira Knightly in that green silk dress in Atonement is a movie moment we're still obsessing over. It's the picture of elegance that perfectly captures an era.
photo: Tony Shek,retouch: Patrol110 on Wikimedia
6. Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction
Inspiring Halloween costumes for decades to come is Uma Thurman's overdose outfit in Pulp Fiction. The iconic white button-down shirt, black pants, black bra, black bob, and bright red lipstick will forever be recreated.
Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
7. Margot Robbie & Ryan Gosling in Barbie
It's hard to say who had a bigger fashion moment in last summer's Barbie, Margot Robbie or Ryan Gosling. It's also impossible to pin down just one costume as there were so many iconic ones from Barbie's pink cowgirl to Ken's fur coat, headband, and sunglasses.
8. Emma Stone in Poor Things
Another major fashion moment to occur in the summer of '23, Emma Stone's unique looks in Poor Things won the film the Oscar for Best Costume Design. The quirky and whimsical blending of Victorian-era fashion with off-the-wall elements like those small yellow shorts perfectly represented Bella Baxter's partially childlike, partially-mature mind.
9. Maggie Cheung in In the Mood for Love
Maggie Cheung in that floral dress in In the Mood for Love. Need we say more? We can understand why Chow fell in love with her.
10. Olivia Newton-John in Grease
Grease is a film that perfectly encapsulates the development of the characters through their outfits. Olivia Newton-John's black leather ensemble that represents her "bad girl" phase and growth into womanhood is as iconic as it gets.
Bert Verhoeff for Anefo on Wikimedia
11. Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface
It takes a special kind of person to pull off a glittery spaghetti-strapped dress and make it look elegant. Michelle Pfeiffer is that special person. Her Scarface looks are the types we all wish we could rock but think it's best not to try.
12. Audrey Tatou in Coco Avant Chanel
It's to be expected that a film about one of the most famous fashion designers of all time should feature some pretty great outfits. Coco Avant Chanel did not disappoint in that regard. Audrey Tautou in that classy white suit and pearls will forever live in our memories rent-free.
13. Jude Law in The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Talented Mr. Ripley is full of amazing men's fashion moments. Jude Law sporting boat shoes, linen pants, and a bowling shirt is as dreamy as it gets.
14. Ryan Gosling in Drive
This neo-noir garnered itself somewhat of a cult following moreso for its aesthetic and stylized elements than for its storyline. Ryan Gosling in that scorpion bomber jacket was such a vibe, you can find film buffs around the world sporting that exact look.
15. Keanu Reeves in The Matrix
It's safe to say The Matrix changed fashion in the 90s. Suddenly, everyone wanted that futuristic cyberpunk look and started wearing floor-length leather trench coats with dark sunglasses and combat boots. Quite the departure from grunge and hip-hop fashions that were dominant then.
16. Mia Jovovich in The Fifth Element
Can we even call that bandage costume in The Fifth Element an outfit if the vast majority of Mia Jovovich's was exposed? Either way, that look was hot and it deserves a place on this list just for the fact that it inspired countless amazing Halloween costumes.
17. Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch
The most iconic Marilyn Monroe moment is of course her in that white dress standing over the subway grate. Most of us have never seen the movie, but we all have that image in our mind when we think of her.
18. Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde
Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde is the epitome of prep. It's almost humorous how many colorful pencil skirt-suit sets she has and of course, Reese Witherspoon rocks every last one of them.
19. Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman
Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman develops a lot throughout the film and so do her outfits. From her thigh-high boots, mini skirt, and bangles to elegant gowns, her life is turned around and so is her fashion sense.
20. Marlon Brando in The Godfather
Although his actual screen time in The Godfather is quite limited, his presence is huge and is made even more immense by his larger-than-life outfits fitting for the head of a crime family. He rocks three-piece suits, tuxedoes, button-ups with suspenders, and fedoras throughout the film.
