Turner Classic Movies is honoring New York’s Fashion Week with a list of the films it has deemed the most sartorially influential of all time. First, a look at their Top 15 (in chronological order):
Pandora’s Box (1929)
Letty Lynton (1932)
It Happened One Night (1934)
Pat and Mike (1952)
Rear Window (1954)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
And God Created Woman (1956)
Auntie Mame (1958)
Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Shaft (1971)
Annie Hall (1977)
Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Flashdance (1983)
Most notable is the ’50s- and ’60s-heavy lineup — which perhaps makes some sense, as films were likely the dominant way style was passed from Hollywood to the masses (as opposed to the TV, Us Weekly and internet of today). And there’s no arguing with the likes of Breakfast at Tiffany’s (which I would deem the most fashionable movie of all time), Bonnie and Clyde, Shaft, Annie Hall, Saturday Night Fever, and Flashdance. But, really, nothing after 1983 at all? Surely arguments could be made for Clueless, Moulin Rouge, Almost Famous, Swingers, Legally Blonde, or Ocean’s Eleven. Maybe Grease, which revived ’50s looks in the ’70s? Or Reality Bites, which still somehow makes me want to have short Winona Ryder hair and wear flowy ’90s dresses while falling in love with unambitious, unshowered grunge musicians.
What do you think, PopWatchers? Which fashionable films did TCM miss? What would you name the most influential fashion movie of all time?
Photo Credit: Elliot Marks
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American Gigolo = Armani greatness
The Matrix. Long, black trench-coats and dark sunglasses.
Sabrina-the movie started the partnership between Hepburn and Givenchy and made both of them powers in the fashion world.
I agree with Sabrina! That movie was amazing! I desperately wanted Hepburn’s wardrobe from that movie, and I’m only 27!
Sabrina!!! What a great movie!!! What wonderful style!!!
What about The Untouchables?
I think the Matrix inspired more style in movies than the masses, Morgan. I mean, how many women tried, and still try, to pull of a beret after “Bonnie and Clyde”? And thanks to “Breakfast”, the little black dress is known for being the MUST have staple item in a woman’s wardrobe. If anything, the Matrix’s style is associated with Columbine situations…hmm, maybe it was influential, just in a bad way lol
That was not a little black dress, that was a full-length evening gown. Very big difference.
The Matrix was released AFTER the Columbine incident. There was no affiliation with the two at all, except for timing.
What about “Pretty Woman?” Not my favorite movie, but I think the dress shopping scenes were true highlights that catapulted Julia Roberts into stardom.
I’d echo the original Sabrina, and add Hepburn’s Funny Face as well. However, for the masses, I don’t think the power of Clueless should be ignored. We were wearing those fashions for years.
I haven’t seen all the movies that TCM’s picked, but Clueless should definitely be on the list. That movie changed fashion in the 90’s forever. The 90’s shouldn’t be ignored.
Definitely Clueless. The amount for fashion trends that came out of that movie was insane.
Wizard of Oz made me long after a pair of sparkly red mary janes for years.
Fight Club! Tyler Durden’s vintage Ts, big sunglasses and tight pants are everywhere today.
It is Turner “Classic” Movies so anything after 1983 might not be deemed a classic yet. Plus they don’t have accesss to all films, only to the ones in their collection.
“Out of Africa” — I remember the safari look for men & women being popular during the mid-80’s. And who would not like a man to look like Robert Redford?
The cat dress on Elizabeth Taylor in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’?
House Party. Everybody I knew wanted to dress like Kid and Play.