Schedule a night in - it's time for the most fashionable films ever
Put down the popcorn and start taking notes - we've rounded up the most inspirationally gorgeous movie costumes of all time
Rex FeaturesThe Great Gatsby, 2013
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Isla Fisher
The Story: We were hyped up about how darn stylish this film was going to be way before it even came out. If you’re not familiar with the classic tale or its 1974 cinema adaptation, it’s packed with suspense, double-crossing, affairs and twisted obsession – most notably the title character’s love for his first sweetheart, Daisy Buchanan.
The Style: With Baz Luhrman’s extravagant vision and Miuccia Prada’s involvement in the costume designs, you can expect a truly decadent fashion feast. The designer has reworked a host of dresses from the Prada and Miu Miu archives, as well as collaborating with the wardrobe team on the rest of the pieces featured to take us back in time to the Roaring Twenties: we mean furs, feathers, flapper dresses, fringing and sequins galore!
Rex FeaturesRosemary’s Baby, 1968
Starring: Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes
The Story: Young housewife Rosemary (Farrow) and her struggling actor husband move into a new pad in New York – which happens to come complete with a particularly creepy set of Satan-worshipping neighbours. When Rosemary falls pregnant, and things start to get even weirder, she begins to wonder if her husband is in fact the father of her unborn child at all…
The Style: Chic is everywhere in this flick - from the young couple’s immaculately decorated apartment to Rosemary’s collection of babydoll nightdresses – and if you’re into 60s vibe, you’ll be lapping up the trapeze dresses, flat pumps, Peter Pan collars, eyeliner flicks and gamine haircut that make up the rest of her wardrobe.
AlamyThe Virgin Suicides, 1999
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, Kathleen Turner, James Woods
The Story: Taken from the Jeffrey Eugenides novel of the same name and set in 1970s Detroit, this melancholy yet beautiful movie follows the story of the Lisbon sisters, five young girls who take their own lives during a hazy, sticky high school summer – as told by the boys who live across the street.
The Style: Thanks to their ultra-strict parents, the Lisbon girls’ outfits are full of innocence, all muted colours and long hemlines. Look out for 70s classics like wedges, flares and bell sleeves, which blended with a soundtrack penned by French band Air give this coming of age tale the perfect dreamy, wistful atmosphere.
Rex FeaturesThelma & Louise, 1991
Starring: Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Michael Madsen, Brad Pitt
The Story: In this ultimate story of female bonding, a holiday gone wrong leads to two women on the run from the law and their pasts, culminating in that legendary convertible-driving-off-a-cliff scene.
The Style: The girls’ misadventures in the Deep South call for All-American outfits of double denim, cut off shirts, sleeveless band tees and ass-kicking cowboy boots. A bad-ass wardrobe if ever we saw one.
Rex FeaturesFactory Girl, 2006
Starring: Sienna Miller, Hayden Christensen, Guy Pearce
The Story: Loosely based on the original It-girl and socialite Edie Sedgwick’s troubled real life, which sees her run from a difficult family background to New York City, where an intense friendship with Andy Warhol and a love affair with a high profile rock star become the making and the breaking of her.
The Style: A fashion icon in the truest sense of the word, the wealthy, bohemian Edie stole the New York scene in leotards, black tights, mini-skirts, oversized fur coats, geometric prints and monochrome colour schemes, along with her trademark heavy liner and grandmother’s dangling earrings – all of which is accurately represented thread-for-thread in the movie.
Rex FeaturesThe Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2012
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd
The Story: This highly-moving tale – again, based on a now-cult novel of the same name – is the story of intelligent but intensely shy ‘wallflower’ Charlie’s (Lerman) first year in high school. Taken under the wings of two extroverted and exuberant seniors, Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller), he navigates his way through parties, fights, drugs and falling in love, all the while suffering under the pressure of painful memories from his past.
The Style: Charlie and his new gang of friends look the way we all wished we had in high school: from Sam’s preppy hairbands and Letterman jackets, to Patrick’s silk scarves and Charlie’s own indie-boy look, this is one well-dressed group of teens.
AlamyMy Week with Marilyn, 2011
Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne and Kenneth Branagh
The Story: Sir Laurence Olivier (played by Kenneth Branagh) is preparing to shoot a film with the world-famous Marilyn Monroe – the problem is, when she arrives, he becomes increasingly agitated by her lack of acting skills and shaky professionalism. A young film student (Redmayne) working on the project gets close to the star, and learns the true extent of her neuroses, her struggles with fame and her desperate need to be loved…
The Style: Costume designer Jill Taylor laboured for weeks to create exact replicas of the real Monroe’s most well-known looks. Pencil skirts, men’s shirts and headscarves were her go-to pieces from this era, in a palette of black, white, camel and soft grey – while the men of the film get the chance to wear real vintage pieces from the decade. A must for the retro fashion fans amongst us.
PA PhotosRush, 2013
Gucci's Frida Giannini lent the brand's archives for the Chris Hemsworth film Rush, which charts the rise and fall of British Formula One legend (and playboy) James Hunt.
"James Hunt's style is full of animal sensuality, perfectly brought out by Chris Hemsworth in the period-evoking outfits", said Frida.
