Fashion in movies: my favourite style moments…

Film and fashion are a match made in heaven. Both, of course, are a visual medium, both involve famous people looking great (for the most part) and both have that aspirational, fantasy element to them. Being born in the early eighties, the first films that really made an impact on me were those released in the nineties. I remember a time before the internet and before technology started with an “i” and our style icons could only be found on screen or at a newsstand. This was also a time of renting VHS tapes, and recording movies on these bulky items, labelling them so annoying siblings wouldn’t record over them.

Some of my favourite looks are still inspired from those early trips to a video store. Being young and impressionable, I would see a piece of clothing on screen and covet it for weeks and weeks, wanting to have it in time for a school social or a ‘free dress’ day. Some of my favourite wardrobe items from that era are the daisy print dress (with overall clasps at the top), Dr Martins (re-surfacing thanks to Brit ‘It’ girls), the original Sportsgirl sweatshirt, the cropped woolen jumper and platform sneakers (may they rest in peace, never to reappear again). And there were also some amazing hair and make-up trends that were stolen from the blockbusters. Our poor hair had to endure all forms of product and physical damage. Remember the rows of twists back into a big pony tail with a few fake, bright pink plaits thrown in for good measure? And this was long before we wanted the words “natural” and “organic” anywhere near our hair care products. A big tub of hair gel would suffice for boys to do their spikes and for girls to twist and sculpt their ‘do.

Here are my top five nineties movies that sparked of the most lasting and influential fashion trends…

Clueless (1995)

I had to start with Clueless. The idea of a weathly, spoilt, label adorned kid struggling with all the drama that goes with being a teenager is still a hugely popular theme. Think Gossip Girl, The OC and The Hills. But Clueless was the original and had every girl wanting their own mobile phone, a computerized wardrobe and roofless jeep. It also gave us sayings like “Whatever” and “As if!”. Rumour has it a sequel is in the works!

Empire Records (1995)

After seeing Empire Records, I went out and bought Dr Martins, A short tartan skirt and a cropped, light blue jumper. In short, Liv Tyler’s entire outfit. It was one of the first sightings of grungy/indie fashion and I was hooked.

The Craft (1996)

Ahh.. The Craft. One of the first movies to make witchcraft seem cool. It also resulted in a rise of a lot of dark clothes and black lipstick. If you were having a slumber party in the nineties, I believe The Craft was almost compulsory. Light as a feather…. stiff as a board…

Spice World (1997)

I love, love, loved the Spice Girls. I can’t tell you how many times my girlfriends and I dressed up as the Spice Girls and took photos. I was usually Posh Spice, which is funny because she is still making an impact on the fashion world.

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

This isn’t a very well known movie so if you haven’t seen it, rent it now. It’s by the same directors as Trainspotting, so has that gives it some cred, but I love it for the clothes Cameron Diaz wears. Lots of pale colours, animal print and amazing coats, pure nineties perfection. I love Ewan McGregor’s bright shirt too!