The Most Iconic Fashion Moments in Film History!

Hello! My name is Noelle Eithun. I’m a junior at the University of Central Missouri majoring in Fashion Merchandising while minoring in Marketing. Because movies and fashion are my two favorite things, I decided to talk about some of the most iconic fashion moments in film history!

1# Marilyn Monroe in "Seven Year Itch"
The first moment to make the list is one of the most iconic moments involving a blonde bombshell in a white dress. Marilyn Monroe made history for her subway scene in “Seven Year Itch” made in 1955. The scene involved Marilyn standing over a subway gate, and a brief breeze comes up, causing her dress to blow above her knees. The scene created massive shockwaves throughout Hollywood and has been called the most iconic scene of the 20th century.

Marilyn Monroe in "Seven Year Itch"

#2 Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"
The second moment to make the list happens to be where the “little black dress” made its first debut and eventually became a dress every women had to have in their closet. The opening scene of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (made in 1961) starts with Audrey Hepburn getting out of a cab, while wearing the famous Givenchy dress, and walks up to the Tiffany’s window and pulls out a scone, dips it in her coffee and just…eats breakfast. It’s a pretty simple scene, but her all around look made fashion history. Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy dress has been called the most famous “little black dress” of all time.

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

#3 Olivia Newton-John in "Grease"
The third moment to make the list involves one of the most iconic makeovers of all time. Olivia Newton-John turned heads when she went from sweet Sandra Dee, to bad girl Sandy in “Grease” made in 1978. Sandy felt the only way to get Danny back, was to completely change everything about her. When you think about it, that’s not the BEST message to send to young audiences but, she rocked those sewn-on black trousers and red pumps, making men drool and women wanting to rock their inner bad girl. Let’s just say we were all “hopelessly devoted” to her skin tight ensemble.



Olivia Newton-John in "Grease"

#4 Jennifer Beals in "Flashdance"
The fourth moment to make the list became the main trend setter for 80’s style. In the film “Flashdance” (made in 1983) there was a scene where Jennifer Beals character gets comfortable with an oversized-off the shoulder sweatshirt while hanging out in her apartment. This scene made waves for creating a certain sex appeal to wearing oversized sweaters and became a huge trend in 80’s style. Along with oversized sweaters being a hot trend, leg warmers and leotards also became the key 80’s look after the film was released.

Jennifer Beals in "Flashdance"

#5 Alicia Silverston in "Clueless"
If “Flashdance” was the main trendsetter for 80’s style, then the fifth moment to make the list was the main trendsetter for 90’s style. The film “Clueless” (made in 1995) became the epitome of how a 90’s rich girl would dress. In the first scene of the movie, Cher wears a plaid skirt/matching blazer and knee-length socks. This iconic look has been an ongoing trend even to this day. Around the time this movie came out, “grunge” style was extremely popular ie: baggy clothes, greasy hair, and flannel. So when “Clueless” came out, it was like “goodbye grunge, and hellooooo preppy.”  How about we bring back head to toe plaid? …Ugh! As if!

Stacey Dash and Alicia Silverstone in "Clueless"

#6 Anne Hathaway in "The Devil Wears Prada"
The sixth and final moment on this list is from one of the most fashionable movies made thus far (in my opinion anyway) in the 2000’s…and one of my favorites. “The Devil Wears Prada” (made in 2006) was centered on the fashion industry and how it affected Andy (the main character) and her journey to finding who she truly is while dealing with a relentless boss, played by Meryl Streep. There is a scene where Andy is walking through New York while having various outfit changes, one cuter than the next, while on her way to work. Not only was the scene visually impressive, the outfits spoke for themselves as well. Considering this movie is centered on the fashion industry, it’s almost expected that the costuming was going to be on point and this film didn’t disappoint. It had all the latest trends, designers, and Meryl Streep. What more could you ask for?

Anne Hathaway in "The Devil Wears Prada"

There are plenty of iconic fashion moments that didn’t make the list, but were just as important and memorable. These were the ones that stood out to me the most and seemed like ones that would either surprise you or ones you already agreed with. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed my list of “Most Iconic Fashion Moments in Film History!”

Written by: Noelle Eithun