Fashion movies are underrated! But what’s more overlooked is the joy of truly appreciating them. It’s not just about documentaries, it has never been. A good fashion movie thrives on sartorial eccentricities, meet-cute romances and the dramatic turn, when everything hinges on that one party, one meeting and one dress that says “I got you, babe. Be as unhinged as you want to.” We are thinking Carrie Bradshaw running through the streets of New York in her wedding dress (never liked that Mr. Big, anyway) or Katherine Heigl navigating love and chaos in no less than 27 unforgettable bridesmaid looks.
See, fashion movies demand your attention to detail. Every fabric, every stitch, every silhouette is telling a story. They celebrate transformation, emotions and breakthroughs. And if you are willing to look closely, you will realise these films aren’t just about clothes, they are about the courage to take up space exactly as you are.
So while the world waits (impatiently) for The Devil Wears Prada 2, consider this your sign to revisit some of the best fashion movies ever made in the recent past.
Clueless (1995)
If you like Jane Austen’s Emma, you are going to be swooned away with Clueless. Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz is a rich and popular lady, who is navigating through romance and academics in Beverly Hills. She plays matchmaker, gives a strong makeover to a student eventually falls for her former stepbrother.
What is striking from the fashion scenario is Cher’s understanding of the ’90s teen style. She carried off preppy polish dresses with a touch of rebellion really well. The coordinated sets, knee-high socks, mini skirts and cropped cardigans are still in trend. Interestingly, the clothes also reflected Cher’s confidence, social status and evolving sense of self.
Legally Blonde (2001)
The iconic Legally Blonde needs no introduction. It is still quotes and remains famous, even when GenZs are unapologetically flaunting their shorter attention spans and endless scrolling habits. The film has managed to stay not just relevant but endlessly rewatchable. Legally Blonde follows Elle Woods, a fashion-loving sorority girl who defies stereotypes by getting into Harvard Law.
The fashion in the movie stands as legendary. Elle’s all-pink wardrobe, plush textures, coordinated sets and statement accessories redefine power dressing on her own terms. She wears tailored suits with feminine twists. She plays with bedazzled details, even while establishing herself as a successful lawyer. Elle meant business, when it came to looking quite the opposite of subdued. To this day, the film’s aesthetic continues to inspire runways, pop culture and social media trends.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
As you anticipate the release of The Devil Wears Prada 2, it would be wrong of us to not include the OG movie. Andrea Andy Sachs is an aspiring journalist, who takes a job as a personal assistant of the notoriously demanding Miranda Priestly. The fashion in The Devil Wears Prada is the very pulse of the film. The fashion is sharp, aspirational and ruthlessly exacting. Miranda wears tailored and power-driven clothes, in contrast to Andy’s frumpy outsider wear to polished insider looks. Miranda’s wardrobe is a masterclass in luxury dressing, which made the film one of the most influential style references in pop culture.
Sex and the City (2008)
Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2 (2010) are about the four friends, Carrie, Samantha,Charlotte and Miranda, making the best out of their careers and personal relationships. Carrie and Big get into a godforsaken marriage in the first movie. The second movie is mostly about a luxurious getaway to Abu Dhabi.
While this movie is a romcom-ish affair, the fashion carried out by the four leads stands to be impeccable. One cannot forget Carrie Bradshaw’s closet, as many of us still try to replicate her glamorous and playful looks. Her fashion is one of the most defining style legacies in pop culture because it treats clothing as an extension of one’s emotions. Through Sex and the City, Carrie made tutus with tank tops, oversized florals, newspaper-print dresses, sky-high Manolos and mismatched layers feel effortless, despite them being excessive. Her wardrobe never followed conventional rules and women loved to dress as fearless as her.
27 Dresses (2008)
Imagine being a bridesmaid in 27 weddings! Jane Nichols (Katherine Heigl) helps people get married, by supporting them as their bridesmaid. At the heart of the story are Jane’s infamous collection of bridesmaid dresses. These are 27 wildly different, often over-the-top ensembles that range from frilly pastels to bizarre thematic looks. Each of these dresses symbolise her habit of always putting others first. These dresses are intentionally exaggerated. Why? They highlight the absurdity of her self-sacrificing tendencies. In contrast, her everyday wardrobe is soft and feminine. The understated dresses define her true self and her longing for her own love story.
Fashion (2008)
Many ’90s and 2000s kids have gotten introduced to the Indian haute couture industry through Fashion. A small-town girl Meghna Mathur, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, goes for ambition and deals with addiction and betrayal. Meghna rises, falls and tries to manage her career through tough times.
As the name suggests, it is safe to say that the movie deals with fashion at its best and worst. The fashion in Fashion is both glamorous and brutally revealing, mirroring the highs and lows of the industry it portrays. It shows runway couture, edgy editorial looks and off-duty styles. Priyanka’s character begins with aspirational outfits but eventually transitions to high-fashion ensembles. Kangana Ranaut portrays Shonali, who comes in daring and provocative looks.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
Isla Fisher as Rebecca Bloomwood is the most relatable character ever. This London journalist’s uncontrollable shopping addiction led to a massive credit card debt. But how do you bring yourself back from financial ruin? More importantly, how do you stop yourself from shopping more and more? She resorts to lying, avoiding creditors like the plague but the love angle makes it all better. She falls for entrepreneur Luke Brandon and eventually gives up on her exhaustive spending habits.
Aisha (2010)
Another Jane Austen’s Emma-inspired movie, Aisha is a happy watch. Played by Sonam Kapoor, Aisha is an elite Delhi girl who makes it her personality to meddle in other people’s love lives. She is her best friend Shefali’s confidant when it comes to romance but keeps ignoring her own feelings for her friend Arjun, played by Abhay Deol.
Sonam Kapoor’s chic clothes in the movie scream regularity and restraint, making high fashion feel surprisingly wearable.
Helter Skelter (2012)
What is a horror drama doing in this list, you ask? Well, Helter Skelter is a fashion-focused movie too, as it follows Lilico, a top fashion model. Her fame is built on extensive, illegal and full-body plastic surgery.
The fashion in Helter Skelter is as provocative and unsettling as the story itself. It serves as the glossy façade that slowly begins to crack. There are hyper-stylised and avant-garde looks. They portray drama and boldness. There’s also high-concept editorial fashion that feels almost surreal. Every outfit is meticulously constructed to project perfection and to reinforce the illusion of beauty as something manufactured and untouchable.
Khoobsurat (2014)
Dr. Milli Chakravarty is a cheerful psychotherapist, who travels to Rajasthan to treat the paralysed king of a royal family. While doing so, Milli also makes a strong case for elegant and regal fashion. The fashion also brings in a burst of colours in a rigid, royal setting. Think printed jackets, mismatched separates, chunky jewellery, juttis and easy silhouettes that feel lived in. The royal family’s wardrobe, on the other hand, leans towards structure, elegance and muted ensembles.
Also Read: Prequel of Legally Blonde to focus majorly on the high school life of Elle
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: filmfare.com
