The fashion month doldrums are about to hit us. After a season of truly fabulous designs – goodbye Sarah Burton’s Alexander McQueen! – many of us are still craving glitz, glamour, and groundbreaking beauty.
If you’re feeling the same way, look no further, because below is a list of the 25 best fashion films to watch right now. Barbie is finally available on demand, and cult hits like Josie and the Pussycats or Showgirls are practically begging to be rewatched a million times. Whether it’s a drag queen on a cross-country road trip, a pop star heading to diva-hood, or a young fashion intern locked in a battle with her tyrannical boss, why not spend the night in the best clothes ever captured on film?
A Single Man
A Single Man is devastating and gorgeous, a combination that director Tom Ford has total mastery over. (Yes, that Tom Ford.) George is a man grieving the loss of his lover, and in the midst of his grief, he meets several friends and companions who will shock first-time viewers. Plus, Ford, with the help of costume designer Ariane Phillips, has made A Single Man a must-watch classic.
B.A.P.S.
Thanks to Black fashion scholars and critics, B.A.P.S. has seen a significant reevaluation recently. Rappers, pop stars, drag queens and others have referenced its eccentric costume design on more than one occasion, and its visual impact on the culture can’t be underestimated. Plus, it’s a fun movie, and Halle Berry and Natalie Desselle shine as Niecy and Mickey, respectively, ambitious soul food slash hair salon entrepreneurs who move to L.A. for the Video Girl competition.
Barbie
From the hype cycle, it was clear that Barbie’s fashions—pulled from the Chanel archives and Mattel’s storied closets—were going to leave us breathless. Thankfully, Greta Gerwig and costume designer Jacqueline Duran delivered…and then some more! It’s the bestselling movie event of the year for a reason and instantly known as one of the most stylish films in Hollywood history.
Crazy Rich Asians
Crazy Rich Asians was an international success for good reason. In this update of Hollywood’s much-loved classic rags-to-riches tale, Constance Wu is positively amusing as Rachel, the fish-out-of-water girlfriend of Singapore’s most eligible bachelor, who finds that the lifestyle of the rich and famous comes with a lot of clothes.
Down With Love
Putting aside commercialism for a moment: Down With Love is one of my all-time favorite movies as a critic and self-proclaimed romantic-comedy lover. It’s hilarious, incisively written, and filled with so many extraordinary actors and costume choices that there’s barely a second to catch your breath! In a bizarre satirical take on the 1960s news media, Renée Zellweger plays Barbara Novak, a brilliant feminist writer with a fabulous wardrobe who finds herself hopelessly entangled with the handsome ladies’ man and writer Catcher’s Block played by Ewan McGregor. It has everything, everyone, and more.
Personal Shopper
More of a horror film than the others on this list, Personal Shopper tells the story of a supermodel’s personal shopper. Things quickly go awry, but revealing anything more about this Kristen Stewart film would spoil the surprise!
Funny Face
Often confused with Barbra Streisand’s hit musical Funny Girl, Funny Face actually stars Audrey Hepburn as Jo, a bookstore assistant who is pursued by iconic fashion photographer Dick (played by Fred Astaire) across New York and Europe. Its musical number “Think Pink” is one of the most infectious tunes ever recorded – not to mention the gorgeous, beautiful gowns.
Funny Girl
Another personal favorite of nearly everyone, Funny Girl introduced moviegoers to Barbra Streisand and her singularly iconic wardrobe as Fanny Brice. As the titular Funny Girl, she shines and glows in a variety of glamorous outfits, from minor showgirl to internationally renowned comic legend. As an added bonus, she sings “My Man” in the platonic ideal of little black dresses.
House of Gucci
Lady Gaga has the Midas touch when it comes to marketing the costume work for her recent film projects. From House of Gucci to the upcoming Joker sequel, there’s a veritable cottage industry surrounding paparazzi photos of her life on set. Though it’s received mixed reviews, House of Gucci is a treasure trove of vintage designs, and is worth it for Gaga’s delivery of the “father, son, and House of Gucci” line.
Josie and the Pussycats
Josie and the Pussycats was already a cult classic among camp enthusiasts like me, but the satirical film about a rock group who become unwitting pawns in a capitalist brainwashing scheme has found a second wind on social media. Its enduring popularity is thanks to the fabulous costumes by costume designer Lisa Evans. Beyond its cheesy movies, though, it’s a movie that has basically everything we want: cultural commentary, Parker Posey, musical numbers, and gorgeous visuals.
Life-Size
Before there was Barbie, there was Life-Size. Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan star in a comedy about a doll who comes to life — and yes, she brings all of her outfits with her. Poignant, funny, and nostalgic, this film will likely hold a special place in the hearts of future fashionistas.
Mahogany
There are more outfits to look at in Diana Ross’s 1975 camp classic Mahogany, about an aspiring fashion designer who becomes an international superstar. Do I like the purple get-up more or the rainbow chiffon? Or the embroidered peach gown I dream of most? The film’s tagline says it best: “Mahogany: the woman every woman wants to be, and every man wants to be.” Ross had already achieved her legendary diva status before the film’s release, but it certainly cemented a legacy that will endure for more than 40 years.
Marie Antoinette
Were you on Tumblr if you didn’t reblog the photos from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette at least once? Cleverly crafted and brilliantly designed, the film remains a favorite of fashionistas — no small feat. Costume designer Milena Canonero won the 2007 Oscar for Best Achievement in Costume Design thanks to her work on the film, and went on to design for equally stylish films like The Grand Budapest Hotel (for which she also won an Oscar) and Asteroid City.
Phantom Thread
Paul Thomas Anderson’s drama about a tortured dressmaker and his muse-wife is thrilling, sexy, and beautiful to look at. Daniel Day-Lewis loses himself in the role of Reynolds Woodcock, and aside from the glamorous clothes he sends out to customers, he and costar Vicky Krieps have a chemistry so intense it could be cut with a knife.
Ready to Wear
Julia Roberts, Sophia Loren, Kim Basinger – 1994’s Ready to Wear was the best fashion movie before The Devil Wears Prada. A murder mystery set against the backdrop of Fashion Week, it follows two reporters going undercover to solve the most glamorous crime of the 20th century. Brash, funny, brilliantly written and directed by Robert Altman, Ready to Wear (original title: Pret-a-Porter) will take you back to one of the most memorable and most glamorous decades in fashion history.
Sex and the City
The Sex and the City movie was divisive when it was first released, but has since become a cult favorite, especially after the release of the equally divisive first two seasons of And Just Like That…. There’s a lot to like in the movie—most obviously the Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, which stands out from almost everything else onscreen that Sarah Jessica Parker wears as fashion savant Carrie Bradshaw.
Showgirls
It doesn’t matter where you are, who you are, what you’re doing, or where you’re going: if you haven’t seen Showgirls yet, drop whatever you’re doing and head to the nearest television. If you already have, maybe do so, because this is a movie that needs to be rewatched (at least) once every six months. Paul Verhoeven’s 1995 epic tells the story of an ambitious Vegas dancer who becomes wrapped up in forces far greater than her ambitions. Sensual, thrilling, and with the finest clothing, Showgirls has earned its reputation as a controversial masterpiece.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Before Wong Foo, there was Priscilla. A favorite among drag queens, the Australian comedy lovingly depicts a trio of fashion icons who embark on a cross-country trip on the titular bus. It features some of the most referenced costumes in recent cultural memory, and it’s such a wonderful love letter to the LGBTQ+ community at a time when the world was still coming to terms with the reality of those suffering from the AIDS crisis.
The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant
Another cult classic on Tumblr and old-fashioned online fashion boards, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s West German romantic drama unfolds in the spacious bedroom of narcissistic fashion designer Petra von Kant, and explores themes of beauty, isolation, and emotional co-dependency.
The Devil Wears Prada
Did you expect the summary of this entry to begin with a joke about blue sweaters – even though it was 2002, I think, when Oscar de la Renta created a collection of blue sweater jokes? Plus, there’s a lot more to love about this movie than blue sweaters and Chanel thigh-highs. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep’s chemistry as Andy and Miranda is absolutely brilliant, and it remains as one of the most memorable windows into the world of fashion and publishing ever.
The Neon Demon
Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2016 fashion thriller stars everyone from Elle Fanning to Christina Hendricks and Keanu Reeves. Moody, emotional and beautiful to look at, the film is worth rewatching just for its visuals.
The Princess Diaries
This is Anne Hathaway’s second appearance on this list, and for good reason. Like many good fashion films, it features a teenager who is suddenly thrust into the world of the rich and famous… and royal! Even better, it has a makeover montage.
The Wiz
Diana Ross makes her second appearance on this list with The Wiz, one of the most memorable films in film history. An update on a classic, The Wiz takes the familiar story of The Wizard of Oz and combines it with contemporary themes of racial liberation. As an added bonus, the costumes are absolutely divine.
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Like Priscilla before it, To Wong Foo has made its place in the fashion landscape with its costumes and more. Referenced and replicated by nearly everyone, this familiar cross-country romp is a stunning ode to drag culture and its integral function in American culture and history. Plus, To Wong Foo is hilarious, and like Priscilla, a must-see for everyone.
Zoolander
While many fashion films poke fun at the world of female supermodels, Zoolander was one of the first to take on their male counterparts. Endlessly quotable and full of eternal Halloween costume ideas, we’ve all probably seen this movie a hundred or more times.
Conclusion
Fashion has always played a vital role in shaping cinema’s storytelling, elevating characters and immortalizing iconic moments. The films on this list not only provide entertainment but delve deep into the artistry of costume design that influences on-screen and real-world fashion trends. Whether you’re a seasoned fashion lover or a casual viewer looking for visual inspiration, these films encapsulate the transformative power of style. So grab some popcorn, sit back and let these iconic films transport you to a world where fashion reigns supreme.
