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10 Movies That Defined Fashion History, Ranked

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10 Movies That Defined Fashion History, Ranked

The bond between fashion and film is an undeniably important one when it comes to storytelling. While costumes help bring a great narrative to life, some have gone above and beyond, going from simply being eye-pleasing designs to actually pushing boundaries, setting trends, and ultimately influencing viewers and fashion designers alike.




Whether it’s a simple but iconic, glamorous black dress or a groundbreaking, out-of-the-box portrayal of fashion that has redefined how people view style, these films have transcended the big screen and become cultural touchstones. From extravagant fashion statements as seen in Where Are You, Polly Maggoo? to the understated Americana flair in Paris, Texas, these are some of the best movies that have defined fashion history, ranked by greatness.


10 ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ (2006)

Directed by David Frankel

Image via 20th Century Studios

Directed by David Frankel, The Devil Wears Prada is a fan-favorite, entertaining workplace comedy-drama following Anne Hathaway‘s Andy, an aspiring journalist who travels to New York and starts working as an assistant to one of the city’s biggest high fashion magazines.


The Devil Wears Prada provides viewers with an intriguing take on the fashion industry, highlighting how dazzling yet demanding it is. It also showcases the role of fashion in identity and how clothing affects the way we’re perceived both in professional and personal arenas. Patricia Field’s costume designs have influenced real-life fashion and trends, with key looks like Andy’s Chanel boots and Priestley’s (Meryl Streep in an iconic role) tailored coats capturing the attention of viewers. No doubt, Frankel’s film has earned an iconic status and a special place in the hearts of pop culture enthusiasts. Its legacy extends far beyond the world of fashion, delivering witty one-liners and memorable characters that resonate with audiences.

The Devil Wears Prada poster

The Devil Wears Prada

Release Date
June 30, 2006

Runtime
109 minutes


9 ‘Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?’ (1966)

Directed by William Klein

A woman poses in a runaway in Where Are You, Polly Maggoo?
Image via The Rank Organisation

Starring Dorothy McGowan in the lead role, this aesthetically pleasing avant-garde film by William Klein provides an interesting satire about the fashion industry’s superficiality, not shying away from highlighting what makes it both absurd and captivating. At its center is a model who reveals her dreams of a life with a Prince Charming to a television crew while also fending off the lecherous advances of a horde of men.

Shot entirely in black-and-white, Where Are You, Polly Maggoo? is a visually striking feature that challenges traditional storytelling. Its unconventional but undeniably unique costumes, designed by the iconic Paco Rabanne, have helped pave the way for other futuristic designs and reinforce how fashion can be both an expressive medium and an entertaining exhibition. The film’s impact extends beyond its cutting-edge fashion designs: it also paved the way for other films — such as the previously mentioned The Devil Wears Prada — to blend clever and sharp social commentary with fashion’s allure.


Watch on Criterion

8 ‘Clueless’ (1995)

Directed by Amy Heckerling

Dionne and Cher stand together out the front of their high school in Clueless.
Image via Paramount Pictures

Amy Hackerling‘s Clueless is another stand-out film when looking back at the best films about fashion. The Alicia Silverstone-led romantic comedy, loosely based on Jane Austen‘s novel Emma, criticizes consumer culture while also delivering a handful of fashion inspo. The story centers around the wealthy and successful Cher, who is at the top of her Beverly Hills high school’s pecking scale and who sees herself as a matchmaker, first coaxing two teachers into dating each other.


After all these years, Clueless remains a pop culture touchstone, especially when it comes to style-centric storytelling. A pioneer in its own right, the ’90s essential has inspired fashion-themed movies and audiences alike, contributing to the rise of 1990s teen preppy fashion. No doubt, Hackerling’s feature still holds an immense cultural impact, whether because of Cher’s iconic costumes, which seamlessly evolve alongside her character and reflect her growth throughout the film, its memorable characters, or its totally quotable lines.

7 ‘Belle de Jour’ (1967)

Directed by Luis Buñuel

Jean Sorel looks at Catherine Deneuve in Belle de Jour
Image via Euro International Film


Luis Buñuel‘s Belle de Jour, based on the 1928 novel by Joseph Kessel and starring the ever-elegant Catherine Deneuve in the lead role, is a steamy romantic drama focusing on a cold housewife who decides to spend her midweek afternoons as a sex worker.

The very definition of “chic,” this intriguing character study is elevated by its wonderful costumes, ranging from Séverine’s iconic trench coat to her tailored black dresses, designed by none other than the iconic Yves Saint Laurent. While it is a captivating film for many other reasons — including Deneuve’s flawless performance and the movie’s stunning aesthetics — all the classy and demure outfits featured in Belle de Jour are undoubtedly among its major triumphs, continuing to inspire designers like Marc Jacobs and Nicolas Ghesquière.


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6 ‘Funny Face’ (1957)

Directed by Stanley Donen

Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton in a gown coming down a set of stairs in Funny Face.
Image via Paramount Pictures

With the enchanting city of Paris as a backdrop, Stanley Donen‘s well-known romantic comedy musical stars Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Featuring plenty of memorable numbers, the plot centers around an impromptu fashion shoot at a bookstore, which brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk.

Hailed as one of the most defining films due to its vibrant illustration of the world of high fashion, Funny Face endures as a landmark when it comes to fashion cinema, leaving a huge legacy behind. The iconic collaboration between Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy helped elevate the star’s status not only as an actor but also as a fashion icon. Beyond the movie’s huge impact on fashion, it is also regarded as one of the funniest musicals of all time, with Hepburn’s unforgettable performances standing out as its heart.


Funny_Face_(1957_poster)

Funny Face

Release Date
February 13, 1957

Runtime
103 Minutes

Watch on Hoopla

5 ‘Sabrina’ (1954)

Directed by Billy Wilder

Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina looking at the camera while holding two dogs by the leashes
Image via Paramount Pictures

Billy Wilder‘s Sabrina has impacted fashion in many ways, but largely due to its stunning portrayal of glamour, sophistication, and elegance through Hepburn’s iconic transformation. The movie, which also stars Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, sees a young woman returning from school in Paris and capturing the attention of her long crush. However, Sabrina begins to take a liking to his more serious and mature brother.


Providing viewers with sophisticated but understated vintage outfit inspiration, Givenchy’s remarkable influence on Sabrina is noteworthy, particularly because Hepburn’s partnership with the designer is one of the most iconic in cinema. Much like Clueless, Sabrina uses fashion as a mirror for character development, with the evolution of its titular character’s wardrobe symbolizing her growth from an innocent girl into a confident young woman. On top of its entertaining narrative, Sabrina is praised for its memorable design choices, which have cemented it as a timeless and graceful symbol of style.

4 ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)

Directed by Blake Edwards

Holly Golightly, holding a croissant and a coffee and looking curiously at something off-camera in Breakfast at Tiffany's
Image via Paramount Pictures


Another stylish Hepburn feature worth mentioning on this list has got to be Blake Edwards‘ Breakfast at Tiffany‘s, a romantic comedy following a New York socialite who becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building only for her past to get in the way.

To say that Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany‘s is not one of the most iconic and easily recognizable in cinema would be a lie. In fact, one of the most defining moments in fashion history came with Hepburn’s fantastic portrayal of Holly, particularly in the iconic opening scene where she wears the now legendary piece of clothing. Again, Hepburn and Givenchy proved to be an unmatched actor and designer duo in this, effortlessly blending simplicity with luxury and elegance. As for the movie’s cultural legacy, Breakfast at Tiffany‘s is one of the most recommended classics for beginners and has become a touchstone in fashion, inspiring designers, stylists, and enthusiasts across the globe.


breakfast at tiffany's poster

Release Date
October 6, 1961

Cast
Audrey Hepburn , George Peppard , Patricia Neal , Buddy Ebsen , Martin Balsam , José Luis de Villalonga

Runtime
115minutes

3 ‘La Dolce Vita’ (1960)

Directed by Federico Fellini

Anita Ekberg as Sylvia in La Dolce Vita wearing a long black dress.

Image via Riama Film

This cinematic masterpiece by Federico Fellini is one of Italy’s most important films, helping redefine Italian cinema and leaving an indelible mark on fashion. La Dolce Vita chronicles a series of stories following a week in the life of a philandering tabloid journalist living in Rome. Starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg in the lead roles.


Those who enjoy beautiful black-and-white visuals are likely fascinated by La Dolce Vita‘s cinematic flare, which has cemented it as one of the most visually influential movies of all time. Translated to “The Sweet Life,” this European essential is true to its meaning, playing a role in shaping Italian fashion, elevating Rome as the global fashion capital that it is known for today, and wrapping the lives of high society in glamour. At the heart of it all is Ekberg’s iconic wardrobe and chic fashion moments, which have quickly become symbols of Italian sophistication.

la-dolce-vita-film-poster.jpg

Release Date
April 19, 1961

Cast
Marcello Mastroianni , Anita Ekberg , Anouk Aimee , Yvonne Furneaux , Magali Noël , Alain Cuny , Annibale , Ninchi , Walter Santesso

Runtime
174 Minutes

Watch on Plex

2 ‘Scarface’ (1983)

Directed by Brian De Palma

Formidable gangster Tony Montana, played by Al Pacino, sits behind his decadent desk.
Image via Universal Pictures


While crime and ambition take the front stage in Brian De Palma‘s fan-favorite, Scarface is also a solid and influential showcase of men’s fashion, with Tony Montana’s wardrobe taking the spotlight. Starring Al Pacino, this drug crime epic set in 1980s Miami follows a determined Cuban immigrant who becomes the biggest drug smuggler in Florida.

Fans of over-the-top fashion and unrestrained glamour may be drawn to Tony Montana’s gangster style, which includes lavish suits and gold accessories. While De Palma’s movie excels in several different aspects — namely Pacino’s powerhouse central performance — Scarface‘s influence on streetwear is notable, as it has slowly become a huge inspiration for fashion enthusiasts, including hip-hop artists, and stands the test of time by continuing to resonate with many. To this day, the boldness of Tony Montana’s style is replicated and reinvigorated in modern fashion.

Scarface movie poster 1983

Release Date
December 9, 1983

Cast
Al Pacino , Steven Bauer , Michelle Pfeiffer , Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio , Robert Loggia , Miriam Colon

Runtime
170 minutes


1 ‘Paris, Texas’ (1984)

Directed by Wim Wenders

Harry Dean Stanton as Travis Henderson calling someone on the telephone and Natassja Kinski as Jane Henderson standing in the background in Paris, Texas.
Image via 20th Century Studios

Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas may not be the most obvious and traditional choice when it comes to influential fashion films. However, its minimalist costume design, which draws heavily from the Americana aesthetic, is a crucial part of its storytelling and makes it a significant addition. The road trip drama follows an aimless drifter (Harry Dean Stanton) who has been missing for four years as he wanders out of the desert and must reconnect with society, himself, and his family.


Paris, Texas‘ carefully curated wardrobe is an integral part of the movie’s visuals, offering a window into the characters’ backstory and storytelling. Featuring worn-in leather jackets, rugged denim, and dusty boots, Wenders’ film celebrates the timeless appeal of the Americana style while adding a touch of refinement through Jane’s more elegant, delicate, and effortlessly chic costumes. By breathing new life into American-inspired fashion, the 1984 film showcases that style does not need to be extravagant and different to be impactful and how it can thrive through a more minimalist and grounded approach.

paris texas poster

Paris, Texas

Run Time
145 minutes

Release Date
May 19, 1984

Watch on Max

NEXT: 10 Movies With the Best Costume Design, Ranked

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