Top 10 Most Fashionable Characters from Classic Hollywood Movies
#10: Lisa Fremont “Rear Window” (1954)
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Grace Kelly’s wealthy character Lisa Fremont wears six lovely costumes in this movie about a man, Jeff, who suspects his neighbor of murder. In her first scene, Lisa wakes Jeff with a kiss, the camera slowly zooming out from her face to her whole exquisite outfit. As her costumes get slightly more casual throughout the film, her character gets more entangled in Jeff’s detective work. Edith Head, the designer for “Rear Window,” deliberately made the costumes mirror Lisa’s development. When the mystery is solved, she is just as laid back in dress as her boyfriend. Another iconic Grace Kelly character is Frances Stevens from 1955’s “To Catch a Thief,” with costumes also designed by Edith Head.
#9: James Bond & Honey Ryder “Dr. No” (1962)
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The first “James Bond” movie set the precedent for the classy fashion featured in all the following installments. Sean Connery as the famous secret agent encapsulated the image of a high-class man with his expensive tuxedos and black bowtie. At the same time, the Bond girl of the film, Honey Ryder, is credited with popularizing the bikini in the United States. First appearing in an unforgettable white two-piece bathing suit, Honey Ryder immediately became a fashionable sex symbol. In fact, bikini sales soared after “Dr. No” was released in theaters.
#8: Gilda “Gilda” (1946)
Rita Hayworth brought high-end glamor into focus with “Gilda.” Playing the title character, who is caught in a love triangle between a gambler and a mobster, Hayworth embodied the femme fatale of film noir. In her first appearance, she wears an white, off-the-shoulder dressing gown with her voluminous hair down on her shoulders. This scene was also included in the 1994 movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” Even more gorgeous and influential is the black satin dress from “Put the Blame on Mame.” In an act of rebellion, Gilda sings and performs a quick, provocative dance before being forced offstage. The alluring number also inspired a scene in 1988’s “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” in which Jessica Rabbit sings “Why Don’t You Do Right?” in a classy nightclub.
#7: Jim Stark “Rebel without a Cause” (1955)
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In the 1950s, fashion for teenagers was a growing market. Caught between the aftermath of World War Two and the growing tensions of the Cold War, teenagers often showed their discontent with authority through their styles of dress. Young heartthrob James Dean popularized the look of a red jacket, plain white T shirt, and blue jeans in 1955’s “Rebel Without a Cause.” Costume designer Moss Mabry observed real high school and college students of the time to get the look of rebellious youth just right. Countless teens saw themselves in Dean and continued to dress in ways their parents disapproved of.
#6: Madeleine Elster & John “Scottie” Ferguson “Vertigo” (1958)
James Stewart as John “Scottie” Ferguson and Kim Novak playing dual roles as Madeleine Elster and Judy Barton provided perfect examples of classy outfits for the late 1950s. With Madeleine’s gray, tightly-buttoned suits and conservative blouses, she gives off a cold appearance that fascinates Scottie. Judy costumes go from dowdy and unflattering to the mirror image of Madeleine. Dress plays a huge role in “Vertigo,” showing character development, symbolism in color, and the foreshadowing of events. Although the movie got mixed reviews upon release, it has become known as one of Hitchcock’s best films, if not the best. In 1989, the U.S. Library of Congress selected it for preservation on the grounds that it is "culturally, historically and aesthetically significant.”
#5: Jerry Travers & Dale Tremont “Top Hat” (1935)
Bernard Newman was responsible for most of the dreamy costumes in this musical comedy starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Astaire sports an easy-going tweed sports jacket, bold tie, and gray trousers in one scene. This look still inspires men’s fashion designers. Of course, he also appears in his classic black and white tuxedo, while Rogers goes through an array of costume changes before her memorable ostrich feather dress for the song “Cheek to Cheek.” This ostrich feather dress was actually Rogers’s own creation. It was aesthetically beautiful, enhancing the elegance of the dance, but it was a nightmare to work with, as it shed feathers whenever Rogers twirled.
#4: Tracy Samantha Lord “The Philadelphia Story” (1940)
Actress Katharine Hepburn brought her own tomboyish sense of fashion to many of her films, “The Philadelphia Story” included. Playing socialite Tracy Samantha Lord, she appeared in sleek, flowing dresses and long pants. Women wearing pants were still uncommon in the 1940s, so this choice was the subject of conflict on set. Eventually, Hepburn won that battle. “The Philadelphia Story” was remade as “High Society” in 1956, starring Grace Kelly as Tracy and changing the style from toned-down elegance to more decadent beauty. Costumes designed by Helen Rose emphasized the ‘50s style of small waistlines and full skirts.
#3: Jo Stockton “Funny Face” (1957)
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As a film centered on the fashion industry, it’s no wonder “Funny Face” was so influential. Audrey Hepburn stars as meek bookseller Jo Stockton, who is transformed into a high fashion model. The character begrudgingly accepts this turn of events so she can meet her favorite philosopher. One of the best-known scenes in this movie is from the underground club in Paris, where Jo dances in a tight, all-black outfit with white socks. This look was featured in a 2006 Gap commercial as well as a 2011 Beyonce music video. Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy designed the gorgeous costumes and earned an Oscar nomination for their work.
#2: Rick Blaine & Ilsa Lund “Casablanca” (1942)
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Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, set the bar high for sensible, elegant women’s fashion during World War Two. Fabric restrictions during the war made opulent dresses harder to come by, so Ilsa’s looks of simple suits and blouses became a model for women’s fashion at the time. In the famously heartbreaking final scene of the movie, Isla has to flee the Nazis and leave behind her love, Rick Blaine. The characters bid a tearful farewell in mirrored costumes: a trenchcoat, a white shirt, and a wide-brimmed hat, fashionably tilted to the side. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. The Cast of “West Side Story” (1961) Color-Coded Opposing Gangs & Costumes Bridging 1950s Dresses & Form-Fitting 1960s Fashions Norma Desmond, “Sunset Boulevard” (1950) Norma’s Costumes Combined Contemporary Fashion with Passe 1920s Fads The Girl, “The Seven Year Itch” (1955) Contains One of the Most Iconic Images of Marilyn Monroe Angela Vickers, “A Place in the Sun” (1951) Angela Vickers’s Strapless White Debutante Gown Inspired Prom Dresses for Decades to Come
#1: Holly Golightly “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)
Prominent fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy dressed actress Audrey Hepburn in many films, and perhaps his greatest achievements are the little black dresses from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” The type of dress, often referred to simply as an “LBD,” remains a staple in any fashionable woman’s wardrobe. Edith Head also helped create Holly Golightly’s look, which included oversized sunglasses, an orange coat, a pink cocktail dress, and a simple yet refined sweater and jeans outfit. This last costume is worn in the “Moon River” scene, where the character lets down her haughty facade. Even the blonde-streaked, brushed-back hairstyle became a popular style due to this movie. Did we miss any of your favorite Golden Age Hollywood costumes or characters? Let us know in the comments!
