“Funny Face” (1957)
Critics hated this film, audiences skipped it, and the musical Funny Face was only saved by the great success of My Fair Lady. Taking advantage of Hepburn’s popularity, it was re-released in 1964, and the rest is history.
Hepburn transforms from a gray mouse in New York to a supermodel in Paris. Not surprisingly, in a film about fashion, fashion itself plays a central role. Fred Astaire, as a photographer, became an example of the American post-war style. His loafers and oversized chinos can still be worn today. Kay Thompson as Diana Vreeland is also just beautiful.
“Breathless” (1960)
Jean-Paul Belmondo, as Michel, portrayed true Parisian with some hints: dark sunglasses, a cigarette in his mouth, and the New York Herald Tribune under his arm. The first film by Jean-Luc Godard was shot literally for a penny, and the actor had to be responsible for his own images. Belmondo opted for the loose suits, plaid ties, and trench coats in the style of Bogart and the American bandits that his character so intensely imitated. At the same time, the actor secured the title of the hero of the “new wave” forever because clothes do not need subtitles.
“The Godfather II” (1974)
Why the second part? Because it contains two stories at once, the beginning of the twentieth century by Robert De Niro and the glamorous 1960s by Pacino. Everywhere you look, men are dressed deadly well (and ready to be killed).
“The Great Gatsby” (1974)
“I’ve never seen shirts so pretty,” says Daisy (Mia Farrow) as Jay Gatsby (Robert Redford) throws shirts of all colors of the rainbow around the room. Redford is simply the epitome of a 1920s playboy. The use of pastel colors makes this movie special, and notice the pink suit with a lavender shirt in which Gatsby stands next to his yellow Rolls-Royce I.
“Jaws” (1975)
For those moments when you are not distracted by the presence of a giant shark, pay attention to the images of Police Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider). Why are they so beautiful? They are effortless to repeat—turtlenecks with straight-leg jeans, navy blue tees, high-rise chinos, and his sunglasses. The selection is so good that in 2007, Michael Bastian released an entire collection inspired by the film.
“Grease” (1978)
Everyone watched the film, which became the biggest box office success of 1978. The look of Danny Zuko (John Travolta) in his white T-shirt and leather jacket is probably one of the most famous looks ever created. And Travolta is outstanding in the finals: his tight black T-shirt, cropped trousers, and white socks with derby shoes. And of course, what is his hairstyle worth! The guy was just great. The film secured Travolta’s reputation as one of the best dancers in Hollywood, and perhaps only Elvis Presley could compete with him.
“Reservoir Dogs” (1992)
Without a doubt, this is one of the most stylish and sound films in history. In addition to the vintage black suits (Keitel’s suit was a gift from designer Agnes B), which Tarantino turned into a bandit uniform, it’s worth remembering the Nike nylon suits, which we still actively wear today.
“Léon” (1994)
In an unexpectedly gentle and stylish thriller by Luc Besson, Jean Reno defends young Natalie Portman from the corrupt cops who killed her family.
Reno had the best role of his life and looked like he had just starred in a beer commercial: long-sleeved Henley, beanie hat, round sunglasses, cropped trousers with white socks.
“Kids” (1995)
Larry Clark’s film exemplified teen fashion in the 1990s. The cast wore bell bottoms, Converse All-Star sneakers, bandanas, printed T-shirts, plaid shirts, and hoop earrings. And these are still current trends. In 2015, Jonathan Anderson co-authored The Smell of Us, a book inspired by the film directed by Clark, and teamed up with Supreme that released an entire collection that same year to celebrate the film’s anniversary.
“Trainspotting” (1996)
Danny Boyle’s film is one of the finest works in the British film industry. A difficult film about Renton, a drug addict who unsuccessfully tries to start a new life in London. It’s a Brit-pop classic on the big screen with skinny Ewan McGregor wearing grunge tees, plaid shirts, mustard tops, bomber jackets, work pants, and extra short shorts. And of course, don’t forget about the actor’s orange hair.
“William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet” (1996)
So many open flowered shirts, so little time. Baz Luhrmann brought Shakespeare’s play from 16th-century Verona to Miami in the 1990s, and here Versace rules – richly, odious, and so sexy.
“Fight Club” (1999)
The first rule of fight club is that clothes are the very best in fight club. Second rule: if you know, then you know. The film by David Fincher is one of the most influential films of the 1990s, and the characters of the antihero Tyler Durdon (Brad Pitt) played a special role in this. The costumes were designed by legendary Michael Kaplan, and it looks like Durdon borrowed more than one shirt from Tony Montana.
“American Psycho” (2000)
If you’ve read the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis, you’ll understand why protagonist Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) has such incredible costumes. When he doesn’t kill people, he just can’t help but talk about brands, fashion, and what he wears. While this obsession fades over time, there are few characters out there who are so preoccupied with their style. Unsurprisingly, so much attention has been paid to his costumes in the film – this is the sophisticated, exuberant fashion of Wall Street in the 1980s.
“The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)
In 2014, Wes Anderson released a film that won more than one Oscar later. The picture is sustained in the director’s classic style – pastel colors, luxurious decorations, thought out to the smallest detail, and characters that are close to madness. The costumes deserve special attention, especially the messenger, who was then inspired by Tyler, the Creator of the Grammy ceremony. Worth noting, of course, is Ralph Fiennes in purple and Jeff Goldblum in his three-piece suit.
“Kingsman: The Secret Service” (2014)
When you consider that this film starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, and Samuel L. Jackson is about secret agents who pretend to be tailors on Savile Row, then you can expect the perfect costumes in the frame. Huntsman tailors in London provided not only their shop for filming but also the costumes themselves. The brand has created an exclusive collection for the film that fans can still purchase. If you are more into accessories, then you might know that London-based company Lock & Co provided hats for the film.
“Call Me By Your Name” (2017)
The film “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and this particular picture will teach you how to dress in the summer. The relationship between Oliver (Armie Hammer) and Elio (Timothee Chalamet) is developing in the Lombardy region of Italy. Sufjan Stevens’ music and perfect imagery are added to the gripping script. Adidas shorts, short-sleeved shirts with open top buttons, and pastel hues create the 1980s vibe you want to achieve in summer.
“Cruella” (2021)
The film Cruella details the path of this remarkable woman to the top of the world of haute couture, the transformation of a talented orphan into a luxurious rebel against the backdrop of the London punk revolution of the 1970s.
Any appearance of Cruella is an anarchic performance, a symbiosis of fashion and contemporary art. She storms London in a form-fitting jacket with massive military orders and epaulets made from hundreds of small figures and a huge pink skirt that can cover the entire car. On her feet – Dr. Martens, of course. She arrives at receptions on a motorcycle, wearing a graphic leather jacket and shiny gold pants with FUTURE on her face. Or on a garbage truck, in a corset of newspapers and a “trash” skirt (created by Australian artist Kirsten Fletcher, who works in “wearable art”). The black and white pointed coat from Cruella Emma Stone’s debut show is an homage to Cruella Glenn Close from the 1996 remake of 101 Dalmatians.
