Top 10 Famously Styled Films
November 3rd 2011 20:35
The 1930s are one of the most fascinating periods for style for films, such as we will take a closer look into the glamour of the period. I have put together a list of the top ten most stylish films of our time, honing in on titles such as Gone with the Wind, Moulin Rouge, The Great Gatsby and Water for Elephants.
Gone With the Wind
Filmed in stunning Technicolor and with lavish costumes, set dressings, and an extremely high (for the time) price tag, Gone With the Wind is a fascinating look back at the Civil War-era South. Fashion plays a huge role in the film, often reflecting the fortune – and misfortune – of the characters. Scarlett O’Hara’s beautiful gowns, including her iconic (and widely imitated) gown made from drapes, often help set the tone in the film, and are a large part of why the film is considered so stylish.
L.A. Confidential
L.A. Confidential is a noir-style film set in 1950’s Los Angeles that highlights police corruption and celebrity. Glamour is a major part of the story as much of it centers on the Hollywood lifestyle and the style and allure of stunning celebrities. Despite this film being a dark crime drama, many scenes are stolen by Kim Basinger who plays the ultra-stylish Lynn, a Veronica Lake look-alike prostitute. Basinger dons countless beautiful, slinky gowns and flawlessly styled hair and makeup throughout the film.
Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants, set in Depression-era America, is a stunning look back at the period. Set in a traveling circus in the 1930s, this film is filled with beautiful imagery – everything from stunning landscapes to old-fashioned circus acts, stunts and animals. Perhaps the greatest style moments in the film belong to Reese Witherspoon’s character, Marlena, who is constantly decked out in beautiful, extravagant silk and satin gowns (even her “casual” clothes are glamorous and perfectly styled).
Moulin Rouge!
The dramatic, eye-catching Moulin Rouge! is more than just a fan favorite for its style: the film won Oscars for art direction and costume design in 2002. Set in the Moulin Rouge nightclub in 1899, this film had over 300 elaborate costumes created for it – everything from elegant gowns wore by Satine (Nicole Kidman) to fun cabaret outfits worn by the club’s many dancers. The style in this film really glamorizes the historic Moulin Rouge through unique takes on contemporary music and traditional love stories.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is iconic for more reasons than one. The film is equal parts comic, romantic, and poignant, and had a fresh style, all its own. Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, carrying an oversized cigarette holder and wearing that famous Givenchy little black dress, is widely considered to be one of the most iconic images in the history of cinema. Hepburn’s glamorous style in this film has helped make her a fashion icon for generations of women.
American Gigolo
Richard Gere’s turn as the male prostitute, Julian Kaye, in American Gigolo represents many important events for both the film and fashion industries. Gere’s character has expensive taste in cars and clothing, often wearing Armani (this film put Armani on the map), until he is down on his luck and framed for murder – then his style significantly changes. The overall look and feel of the film is really indicative of the glamour and style that was prevalent in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
The Great Gatsby (1974)
1974’s The Great Gatsby, starring Mia Farrow as Daisy and Robert Redford as Jay, is another beautifully styled film that won an Academy Award for best costume design. The sets and costumes make for a physically beautiful film that does a good job of capturing the shallowness and frivolity of the characters in the glamorous Jazz Age. Daisy’s style in the film, which consists mainly of flowing, loose fitting dresses, is inspired by both the fashion in the 20’s and actress Mia Farrow’s pregnancy during filming.
Australia
Set between 1939 and 1942, Australia takes place in northern Australia and stars Nicole Kidman as Lady Sarah Ashley and Hugh Jackman as Drover. Australia features many Asian-inspired costumes to represent the romanticism of the time, and authentic apparel for the Darwin stockmen in order to be historically accurate. This visually stunning film was shot in a remote region in Western Australia, and boasts breathtaking landscapes combined with the glamour and style of 1940s cinema.
Pleasantville
Pleasantville takes place in both the real world 1990s and within a black and white TV sitcom in the 1950s. Because of this, Pleasantville boasts both 90’s and 50’s fashions and settings. Asthe characters are transported into the 50’s sitcom world, they begin making changes to it, which starts transforming the world from black and white to color. As this film required black and white characters and objects to interact with those in color, the film had a lot of digital effects, more than any other film at the time.
Clueless
1995’s Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone, brilliantly showed off the oh-so-90’s fashion sense and “Valspeak” of the teens of Beverly Hills. The film showcased all different types of styles, everything from the skater shoes and baggy pants worn by the burnouts to the swanky designer duds worn by Cher (Silverstone) and her friends. This film inspired many a girl to don knee socks and miniskirts, and is considered a modern comic classic by many people.
Currently, two websites -- Screenhead and MobileWhack -- are sponsoring a giveaway for the Blu-ray/DVD copy of Water for Elephants.
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