The paths of film and fashion often cross but every once in a while there is a stand out film that really captures the style of the time and pinpoints the fashion of the era. Here is our pick of the films that defined a decade in fashion:
The 60’s – Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Arguably one of the most iconic films of all time; this film will always have a place in a fashion lover’s heart. Audrey Hepburn is chic as always as the quirky, vulnerable Holly Golightly but it is the character’s wardrobe that is always referenced by fashionistas. The iconic black dress and pearls is a classic look that never goes out of style. From the gamine dressed down capri trousers to the exuberant cocktail dresses, Holly Golightly could work a trend and women the world over have been copying ever since.
The 70’s – Annie Hall
Today it doesn’t matter whether you are a girl dressing like a boy or a boy dressing like a girl; anything goes. But it wasn’t always the case and it is characters like Diane Keaton’s Annie Hall that led the way in androgynous dressing. The vintage finds and menswear used in the film sparked a trend and fashion has never looked back.
The 80’s – Working Girl
Whether you were working 9 to 5 or not, Melanie Griffiths big hair and even bigger shoulder pads epitomised eighties power dressing. The shoulder pads may now be a lot smaller and the overall look may be softer but the work wear seen in offices today are still likely to trace their roots back to this film.
The 90’s – Clueless
Every teenage girl in the nineties wanted to be Cher. From her motorised wardrobe to her electronic outfit picking system (why haven’t these happened yet by the way?), Cher took her fashion seriously. The All-American Girl with her bodycon dresses, knee socks and tartan skirts is the spiritual home of many nineties trends, not least matching your outfit to your best friend’s. If there was one film that defines the Nineties is was Clueless.
The 00’s – Sex and the City
Since they strutted their way onto our TV screens and into our hearts at the end of the 90’s, the Sex and the City girls were a fashion force to be reckoned with. Whether you lived for fashion like Carrie, was a super girlie girl like Charlotte, sexy like Samantha or serious like Miranda you could find your fashion inspiration here. Once the TV show ended we were cast adrift, unsure of our fashion path, until the eagerly awaited film hit our screens and costume designer Patricia Field wowed us once again with her bold fashion choices.
Which film will define our current decade? It’s still too early to call but with rumours of a potential 3rd film from the Sex and the City ladies let’s keep our fingers crossed for a final dose of fashion from our favourite four.
By Samantha Vandersteen