Fashion in Film continues with the top 10 best looks in recent film history! We previously shared our top 10 worst looks in preparation for the the upcoming release of “The Neon Demon,” starring Elle Fanning and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
There are plenty of timeless iconic looks like Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and Diane Keaton in “Annie Hall,” along with the monstrosities like Ruby Rhod AKA Chris Tucker in “The Fifth Element.” This list is all about exploring the new because like fashion: it’s all about next season. When fashion in film gets it right, the audience can immerse themselves with these characters and the fantasy of what they are seeing on the big screen.
These are the top 10 best looks I think fit the description in their respective film worlds.
“Atonement” (2007)
Who can forget the vivid green silk dress that Keira Knightley wore in “Atonement”? Talk about green with envy! How many of us wanted to be in a room full of books getting up close and personal with James McAvoy in that fancy green dress? Show of hands?!
“The Devil Wears Prada” (2006)
The classic book nerd makeover got an update with “The Devil Wears Prada.” Anne Hathaway’s Andy went from frumpy to chic and made us all have fashion goals for the right reasons. Andy thought she was being practical for work, but Miranda Priestly, played by the timeless and fabulous Meryl Streep, makes it quite clear that us peasants derive our boring sweater colors from high fashion. We all definitely rethought our work wardrobe after watching this film.
“Alice in Wonderland”(2010) and “Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass” (2016)
I know these are technically two, but I think both have fashion that is are mesmerizing. Fantasy films have leeway in their fashion because of the worlds that they are set in, but it is very important that it doesn’t cross its own line or else it just becomes silly. Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” captured the essence of the the crazy wacky world down in the rabbit hole without going to the extreme even by Alice’s standards. The modern take on Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Red Queen and White Queen’s fashion choices have even been inspiration for the runway in real life! And we can’t blame them!
“The Great Gatsby” (2013)
Talk about a classic! The film starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford had its own winning style moments, but this update to “Gatsby” starring Leonardo DiCaprio made us swoon even more on the dapper vintage look. Who doesn’t want to throw a ‘20s rager just to dress up as Daisy?
“Marie Antoinette” (2006)
Throw me in a time machine and take me back to the time of big hair (not talking Texas hair), powdered lips, and outrageously beautiful dresses all tucked nicely with a corset. There are plenty of period piece films out there, but Sofia Coppola managed to capture the essence of Marie Antoinette with her extravagant gowns! What a statement and unforgettable looks!
“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)
So in a hypothetical post-apocalyptic world, I’d hope I’d look half as cool as Max. I’m a sucker for a great jacket and Max pulls off the rugged warrior look very well. The interesting thing here is that Max could step out in today’s world, dust off his jacket, and be ready to hit the runway or the cover of GQ with fury!
“Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012)
If you’re going to be the Evil Queen, might as well have a fierce wardrobe to go with it, right?! The Evil Queen’s fashion in this film is one of my favorites of all time. Her outfits literally feel like they could kill me, but I can’t stop staring at how intricate they are as well.
“Cinderella” (2015)
Every girl dreams of a “Cinderella” moment, but seeing it in the live action made me want that dress stat! Bringing to life that classic dress from the animated film was a hard task but was beautifully done. The volume, the shine, the color make it an instant classic for iconic looks in film history.
“Spectre” (2015)
Much fashion praise goes to the female characters on screen, but James Bond definitely wins the competition in male counterparts. Always dressed to kill, Bond, James Bond is a man of fine tailored suits. In “Spectre,” no matter the climate, Bond was never one to lose style in any element. Now that’s going above and beyond.
“Me Before You” (2016)
Like leather jackets, red dresses are iconic and classic. Emilia Clarke is Louisa, a quirky, independent girl who doesn’t care what anyone thinks. She has her own “Devil Wears Prada” moment, from Zooey Deschanel quirky to Audrey Hepburn classic. This red dress is a knockout and will stand the test of time in terms of always being in and I think it fits her character well and was exactly like it was in the books. Also, the bumblebee tights are a must have for all us quirky girls!
“Neon Demon” comes out in theaters June 24.
Catherine grew up watching action flicks at a very young age which led to her love of film. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors in Radio-TV-Film in 2012. Always the adventurer, Catherine traveled and lived in Sydney, Australia for a year where she took a selfie with Brad Pitt. She runs Shuffle with passion, lots of caffeine and tacos. When she’s not editing or writing you can find her crafting and planning her next adventure.