Fashion movies give you a glimpse into the fashion world; you may find yourself inspired by all the colourful visuals. Or if you are curious about working in the fashion industry and have so many questions, fashion movies will answer all your questions.
Consider a fashion movie a work of art, as fashion has been an essential part of cinematography since the very start, just as it had played a huge role in theatre for thousands of years before movies existed. And clothes are considered self-expression because of how the outfit or style they wear reflects the character.
Of course, some fashion movies are hard to miss because of how good they are, and some fashion movies are classics that you must watch because you can not have seen them. There are numerous iconic fashion-related movies that you must see at least once in your life.
So, without further ado, here are the top 18 fashion movies that are not to be missed; don’t forget your snacks because you will significantly enjoy each one.
18 Iconic Fashion Movies
18 movies that will change your perspective on the fashion industry, and you may even consider a career change in the fashion industry after watching these interesting fashion movies.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Most people who saw The Devil Wears Prada probably decided to work in the fashion industry, specifically in a fashion magazine. It’s one of those fashion movies you can watch several times without getting tired.
The Devil Wears Prada is a 2003 must-read novel by Lauren Weisberger that was adapted into a brilliant movie. The movie follows a young woman who gets a job as a personal assistant to the editor of a well-known fashion magazine, Runaway. But, unfortunately, a job she thought would be a dream becomes a nightmare as she struggles to keep up with her boss’s hectic schedule and patronising demands.
The most important thing is to keep an eye out for stylish outfits in the movie. The real question is will she survive the job?
Coco Before Chanel (2009)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Yes, if you’re wondering if this fashion movie is about Coco Chanel, the famous designer. It is based on her personal life and career.
Watching this movie allows you to learn more about the creative mind behind Coco Chanel. Her real name is Gabrielle Chanel. Her father abandoned her in an orphanage, leading her to work in a local bar during the day, tailoring clothes for cabaret performers and performing at night.
Her stage presence earned her the nickname “Coco.” Coco meets wealthy heir Benoît Poelvoorde, who introduces her to French society’s social elite.
Coco became tired of the trendy styles of big skirts, tight corsets, and lace that were difficult to move in. So she decided to start from scratch to simplify an elegant and sophisticated line of women’s clothing that is chic yet comfortable, which helped catapult her to the top of Parisian haute couture.
Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
When it comes to shopping, you may find yourself having minor difficulties, such as buying everything you want; well, you are not alone, and the term “shopaholic” may be familiar to you.
Rebecca Bloomwood is constantly on the hunt for the newest Gucci bag or must-have Prada pumps to flaunt around Manhattan. A rom-com movie about a beautiful shopaholic who becomes a successful advice columnist for a financial journal despite being deeply in debt herself.
The most important thing to remember while watching this movie is to keep an eye out for all of the iconic looks and outfits that will make you want to dress up and go for a walk in your Versace pumps.
Phantom Thread (2017)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
In the 50s, London fashion was all about gowns and corsets; in the Phantom Thread fashion movie, you will travel back in time to this era and fashion.
The Phantom Thread is a captivating movie that keeps you guessing what will happen next. This fashion movie is set in 1950s London. It follows haute couture designer Reynolds Woodstock, a controlling freak who has built a career around designing dresses for elite society women. However, he does an unusual thing by leaving hidden messages in them. Alma Elson, a young woman he meets at a seaside café, becomes his muse, and from here, things start to spice up.
Sex and the City: The Movie (2008)
- Genre: Romance/Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 5.7/10
If you are a fan of the Sex and the City series, you will enjoy this movie. It’s a fashion movie you watch with your girlfriends on a movie night.
Every character in this movie has a wardrobe to die for!
The most-liked movie takes place four years after the end of the original series. The movie follows the lives of four stylish best friends, Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes, Charlotte York, and Samantha Jones, as they embark on a new chapter in their lives. Including marriage, children, careers, and, of course, living in New York and their adventures in the city
Expect this fashion movie to inspire you with all the stylish outfits, laughter from all the funny things they face and, of course; you might cry in some scenes, so keep a tissue nearby.
Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? (1966)
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
The fashion industry is known for being creative yet strict, but in this fashion movie, they hilariously make fun of the industry.
Who Are You, Polly Maggoo? is a 1960s movie that mocks the fashion world, and we all know that strange things happen on the runway. Polly is a supermodel who is being followed by a French television crew and hopes to meet her prince charming, but she is being followed by several desperate men who do not meet her criteria.
A black-and-white fashion movie that will make you laugh at everything from fashion to Molly’s love life. Just don’t forget your chips because you will enjoy them very much with the movie.
Mahogany (1975)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
Do you ever have to choose between two things you really want in life? The main character must choose between love and a career in this fashion movie.
A young student Tracy Chambers, with her fashionable taste in the 70s, gets into the fashion industry to become a designer. Fast forward, Tracy is torn between returning to her hometown of Chicago to fight Black activist crime and pursuing a glamorous modelling career in Europe.
The movie celebrates glamorous fashion while also including a political message that is still relevant today.
Prêt-à-Porter (Ready To Wear) (1994)
- Genre: Comedy/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 5.2/10
If you want to relive Paris Fashion Week in the 90s, you’ll love this movie; know you’re in for a treat.
We are all aware that Paris Fashion Week is always full of trends, drama, and fashionistas. The movie follows the story of Fashion Council head Olivier de la Fontaine, who dies oddly, choking to death on his sandwich. Olivier left behind a wife, a mistress, and a mysterious Russian companion who fled the scene. Let’s say the movie starts to get interesting here, but let’s not give anything away.
It’s a fashion movie full of laughter and, of course, magazine rivals. But this is an excellent movie after a long day.
Cruella (2021)
- Genre: Crime/Comedy Drama
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
This movie is brilliant in every way, from the acting to the soundtrack to the stylish outfits. It is a treat that you will enjoy every minute of.
Disney took a different approach with this movie, telling us the story of the Villan from 101 Dalamations, the iconic Cruella DeVil. The story begins with Cruella, a rebellious fashion designer who deviates from the traditional florals and flowy pinkish outfits of 1960s London style and introduces something much bolder and different than what people were used to.
Disney has never failed to amaze us with its movies, but you will undoubtedly enjoy this movie, which provides a fresh take on Disney villains.
Saint Laurent (2014)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.1/10
You will love this fashion movie if YSL is your favourite fashion house.
The movie begins with Saint Laurent, born in Algeria, who moves to France to pursue his dream of becoming a fashion designer. He was appointed as the new head designer of Christian Dior, France’s biggest fashion house, in 1957. A few years later, he suffered a mental breakdown and addiction for two reasons; he was forced to fight in the Algerian war, and back then, he was bullied for his sexuality and being gay, which wasn’t usual. The movie shows a different side of Laurent when he meets his other half, businessman Pierre Bergé, who becomes YSL’s bodyguard, business partner, and boyfriend.
The movie is brilliant, demonstrating that you must work hard to achieve your goals, and it is okay if there are a few bumps along the way; take YSL as an example of success.
The Dressmaker (2015)
- Genre: Thriller/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
The Dressmaker is a two-in-one movie; you get to see all of the glamorous dresses, and the movie keeps you guessing what will happen next.
The movie is set in Australia and follows Myrtle Dunnage, who was accused of murder as a child. Myrtle, a dressmaker, decided to return to her small Australian town to take revenge on those who falsely accused her and mistreated her.
If you enjoy thrillers and fashion movies, this is a great combination. The dresses might even inspire you!
Unzipped (1995)
- Genre: Comedy/Documentary
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
If you enjoy documentaries and want to watch something related to fashion, this comedy fashion documentary is for you.
It’s a documentary/fashion movie that takes you behind the scenes during the launch of New York City designer Isaac Mizrahi’s 1994 fall collection. We learn more about the collection and how Mizrahi has inspired by Eskimos and ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show‘ to create his exclusive fashion line in the movie. The documentary also portrays a side of the fashion industry that many people are unaware of, the hectic reality of putting on a major fashion show.
If you thought creating a collection or putting on a fashion show was simple, you should reconsider after watching this fashion movie.
Zoolander (2001)
- Genre: Comedy
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
This movie portrays the modelling scene in a very funny way that you can’t help but laugh about the things you will see.
The plot revolves around Derek Zoolander, who loses the title he had always desired to his rival. Derek decides to reboot his career, and a designer offers him a huge fashion show, which Derek has always wanted, but ends up brainwashing him into killing Malaysia’s Prime Minister. Will he murder him? You’ll have to wait and see.
Expect to laugh your heart out while watching this movie, and you might end up watching part two as well.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
It’s not a fashion movie, but if you like the 1770s era and its fashion, you’ll love this one.
Following the death of King Louis XV in 1774, an Austrian teenager married the king of France and became that country’s queen. After years of luxurious lifestyle and social advantage, the French Revolution occurs, and Marie Antoinette loses everything.
Please keep in mind that the movie is historically inaccurate and not based on true events; however, you will enjoy the fashion in the movie, which ranges from big gowns to tight corsets that are difficult to breathe in.
Dreamgirls (2006)
- Genre: Musical/Drama
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
A movie you will sing your lungs out with. The dancers’ stage outfits are mesmerising in this film.
The movie tells the story of three young women, Deena Jones, Effie White, and Lorrell Robinson, who aspire to be famous singers. When they were hired as backup singers for the legendary James “Thunder” Early, their dream came true. From greed to romance, the movie takes you on an emotional roller coaster.
Another movie to enjoy on your girls’ movie night because you’ll be singing along to every song they sing.
Clueless (1995)
- Genre: Comedy/Romance
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
This fashion movie has everything a ’90s teen comedy should have: teenagers who look and dress like adults, a fantastic soundtrack, and outfits that you might remember more than the plot if you’ve seen it before.
The plot revolves around the beautiful popular girl playing matchmaker for her teachers and giving new students makeovers, with a lot of funny drama in the middle. Still, it’s a movie you watch every now and then to see the makeovers she gives.
Of course, fashion tastes in the 1990s were very different from today’s, but the good news is that most 90s style trends are making a comeback so that you can take inspiration from the movies.
Greed (2019)
- Genre: Comedy/Satire
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
Have you ever considered how you want to celebrate your 60th birthday? This movie may give you some ideas.
Richard McCreadie is a wealthy fashion billionaire whose reputation has suffered as a result of a government investigation. He decides to try to get back in the game and clear his name by throwing a lavish party in Greece to celebrate his 60th birthday. The real question is, what happens at this party?
Rumour has it the movie is based on Philip Green, the former owner of Topshop, but we’ll never know. But don’t worry about that; instead, concentrate on the snacks you’ll enjoy while watching the movie.
House of Gucci
- Genre: Drama/Crime
- IMDb Rating: 6.610
Who murdered Maurizio Gucci? A frequently asked question, but what is the backstory? Well, the movie will provide you with some fascinating insights.
The story is told from Patrizia Reggiani’s point of view. It follows Maurizio Gucci, who is calm, intelligent, and hides his emotions, and Patrizia Reggiani, who is brave and manipulative. These two dramatically opposed personalities’ love story transforms from pink and love to fire, burning everything to the ground.
This movie is incredible on so many levels, and the fashion choices are chef kisses! We all wish we had Patrizia Reggiani’s wardrobe.
Unfortunately, the Fashion Movies List Has Come to an End
There are many great fashion movies out there waiting for you to watch; just grab your snacks and a blanket and binge-watch them over the weekend. Hopefully, you’ll find yourself inspired to do something after watching these incredible movies.