The most stylish films in history, by decade

I love fashion and I love film, and I thought it might be fun to combine those two loves into a little rant about the most stylish films in history. These are, of course, selected by me based on my own completely biased opinion. But I love each one for a different reason and each one has exhibited some influence over fashion in one way or another. Enjoy!

Gone with the Wind 1939

The Civil War classic, this film introduces us to the very first DIY queen. Scarlet O'Hara, played with perfection by Vivian Leigh, driven to desperation, crafts a gown fit for a southern belle from the only fabric she can find, the curtains leftover at her beloved home of Tara. She whips up the gown in a final attempt to secure money from the handsome Rhett Butler, knowing that he needs to be impressed and that only wealth and decadence will cause him to pay attention.

The Big Sleep 1946

When screen goddess Lauren Bacall struts into Humphrey Bogart's life in this film noir classic, he is instantly smitten by her cool demeaner and -of course- her classic jacket and skirt combination; a romance and style that both lived on in the real world. Bogart and Bacall married when he was in his 40s and she was just 19. To this day women strive for her poise and quiet cool.

Rear Window 1954

Grace Kelly raised eyebrows when she announced she planned to spend an unforgettable night with photojournalist James Stewart, but she opened eyes in her classic black cocktail dress and white pearls, in one of her most stylish Hitchcock roles. Not her most memorable role, however: that would be saved for her future life as a real princess.

 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s 1961

Probably the most famous character of all time, the intrepid, fearless Holly Golightly remains Audrey Hepburn's most memorable. She put the little black dress into the spotlight and the famous diamond store is likely still thanking her for thrusting their 5th avenue store window into the realm of pop culture forever.

Blowup 1966

This is a film about a fashion photographer who spots a crime in one of his photos and becomes obsessed with finding the meaning. But this film is better remembered in the fashion world as showcasing the mod, super cool fashion of the swinging 60s in hip London.

Bonnie & Clyde 1967

The real life Bonnie Parker may have been a criminal, but Faye Dunaway's unforgettable portrayal paved the way for the famous skirt-and-sweater combo, along with the sexy cami top, not to mention her strategic use of the beret hat.

 

Annie Hall 1977

Annie Hall, perhaps one of Woody Allen's most famous titles, is also known for thrusting menswear onto a stylish New Yorker woman's radar.

Clueless 1995

Everyone's favourite high schooler, Cher Horowitz epitomized mid-90s fashion with a wardrobe - and a closet - that got every girl drooling. Her use of matching skirts and blazers took girls everywhere out of the grunge phase and back into a more affluent, put-together style.

Marie Antoinette 2006

Marie Antoinette the film is perhaps not the most influential in terms of fashion, but the real woman certainly made an impression on her peers. Young, carefree, the Austrian import came to Paris without a worry and wanted to live her life with that same free spirit. Unfortunately for her, the rest of her country disagreed, and soon she paid the ultimate price. This film is just a nice reminder of the decadence that every little girl dreams about.

The Devil Wears Prada 2006

The now-classic tale of a certain fictional New York based magazine editor and the trials and tribulations of her two over-worked assistants, this film was a fashion explosion that broke all the rules. Sex and the City's Pat Field designed the costumes and taught women everywhere that you don't need to have a terrible job to look good. And that while fashion may seem shallow, that it really does represent the hard work and dreams of millions of people.

Atonement 2007

I needed to include this title for the infamous green dress alone. This dress caused an uproar when the film was released. The perfect evening dress, the sexy material and shade of emerald green that is found nowhere else in the world (literally, they created their own colour by mixing dyes until they found the perfect shade) is something that had women everywhere lusting - and the steamy library scene with James McAvoy probably didn't hurt either.

Sex and the City 2008

Ah Sex and the City. With the release of part 2 this year, it is impossible NOT to include it in this compilation. The show that represented a new wave of sexual liberation for women exploded when it hit the box office. And while most women realized that the world of Carrie Bradshaw is entirely a fantasy (come on, she has $40,000 worth of shoes and she only writes for a weekly paper?!), most women preferred to enjoy the dream and imagine their own little SATC world - cosmos with girlfriends in sky-high heels. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday night on the town!