Iconic outfits in movies

Author of the article: Tatiana Zhakova
Journalist, linguist, teacher of storytelling with 10 years of experience
In 2015, she created and promoted her project about Nizhny Novgorod nnstories.ru, after which she created the author's course "Storytelling: How to Tell Your Story" on its basis. More than 4,000 students have taken the course.

A linguist by training, she is very quick to master new fields. Now she is actively studying screenwriting and storytelling in films/series, about which she writes in the blog of her project.
Iconic outfit is a character's clothing that becomes so iconic and recognizable that it is immediately recognizable, even if the character has not been seen before. Sometimes it is a character's clothing that makes him or her more memorable and meaningful to the audience.

Iconic outfits are an integral part of culture and they play an important role in various aspects of people's lives. For example:
  • 1
    In film and television, iconic outfits are used to create images of characters that are memorable and leave a deep imprint on the audience's memory. They help to convey the characters' characteristics, emotions and moods, and reflect the social and cultural context in which they are situated.
  • 2
    Iconic outfits are also used in the fashion industry to create collections that are inspired by iconic outfits of the past. Designers use elements of these outfits in their new collections to create something unique and inspiring.
  • 3
    Some iconic outfits have become symbols of certain eras and cultures. For example, Chanel's "little black" dress became a symbol of elegance and chic, and Levi's jeans became a symbol of American style and culture.
  • 4
    Iconic outfits are also used in music and entertainment. Many celebrities wear iconic outfits on stage and in music videos to stand out and make a striking impression on the audience.
  • 5
    Finally, iconic outfits can be used as a symbol of identity and belonging to a particular group. For example, leather jackets can be a symbol of rock culture and T-shirts with team logos can be a symbol of sports fans.
For girls, iconic outfits from movies can serve as inspiration for shaping their own style. Here are a few ways they can use iconic outfits to create a unique look:

  1. Emphasizing details: girls can take some of the details of Iconic outfits such as necklines, decorative elements, prints, etc. and use them to create their own unique style.
  2. Combining styles: girls can use iconic outfits to combine different styles with each other. For example, combine vintage elements with modern pieces.
  3. Original combinations: girls can use iconic outfits to create bold and original combinations. For example, combining a dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's with a leather jacket and boots can create a unique look.
  4. Stylish accent: girls can use iconic outfits to add a stylish accent to an ordinary closet. For example, a pair of cowboy boots from Wild Calm can be an interesting element in a casual look.
  5. Seasonal options: girls can use iconic outfits to create seasonal looks. For example, Hans' iconic winter coat from "Gentlemen of Fortune" can be used to create a trendy winter look.

Let's remember what examples of iconic outfits we met in movies and TV series:
Holly Golightly's little black dress, "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
Holly Golightly, who played an iconic role in Breakfast at Tiffany's, wore several memorable outfits during the movie. But probably her most famous outfit is the little black dress she wore in the opening scene of the movie.

This dress was created by fashion designer Givenchy and had a simple yet elegant design. The dress was above knee length and had long sleeves as well as a deep neckline in the back. Holly Golightly completed her outfit with a wide-brimmed hat and long gloves, which made her look even more luxurious and elegant.

This outfit has become one of the most recognizable iconic outfits in film history. It became a symbol of elegance and style, and is still considered one of the most influential fashion outfits in the world.

Scarlett O'Hara's "Gone With the Wind" dresses.
In Gone with the Wind, Scarlett O'Hara, played by Vivien Leigh, wore several iconic outfits, but the most famous is the green dress she wore while attending a ball at Twelve Oaks at the very beginning of the dress. The dress was adorned with fabric flowers and had a wide round neckline in the back. Through this neckline was visible the bow that held the boat neck in place.

The second iconic dress could be considered another green one, sewn from curtains that had survived in Tara.
Scarlett had no other fabric, but she badly needed to make a good impression on Rhett Butler, from whom she planned to borrow money to pay her rent.

This dress became one of the most famous iconic outfits in movie history. It became a symbol of the spirit and endurance of the protagonist, who despite all the difficulties, found a way to survive and thrive in difficult times. In addition, this dress was a significant symbol of the time in which it was created, namely the era of the Great Depression and the World War.
Marilyn Monroe's white dress
The white dress with flared skirt worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch is one of the most famous iconic outfits in movie history.

The dress was created by designer William Travers and sewn from silky fabric. The skirt was flared and was mid-calf length. The top of the dress was fitted and had a square neckline and straps that crisscrossed at the back. The dress was completed with white gloves and high-heeled sandals.

The scene in which Marilyn Monroe stands over a subway ventilation shaft, and the flared skirt of her dress rises from the air flow, became one of the most famous in movie history. This scene, combined with Marilyn's beautiful dress, made her one of the most colorful and beloved movie stars of the time.

Today, Marilyn Monroe's white dress with flared skirt is one of the most famous iconic outfits in the movie world and continues to inspire many fashion designers.



But there was another dress, too.

The dress in which Marilyn Monroe sang a birthday greeting to John F. Kennedy on his birthday in 1962 is often described as a "nude dress." In fact, it was an illusion style dress, creating an effect of incomplete nudity.

The dress was made of thin, sheer tulle in beige. A lace trim was stitched onto the tulle, which gave the impression that the dress was skin-tight. In fact, the dress was actually worn over a leather bodysuit to maintain decorum. It was a mermaid style with a slim silhouette and knee-length. It was completed with a high collar, long sleeves and a closed back.

Marilyn Monroe's performance in this dress became legendary and is one of the most memorable moments in cultural history. She looked incredibly sexy and sensual in the dress, which was the epitome of her famous image.

Today, this Marilyn Monroe dress is one of the most famous iconic outfits in fashion history and continues to inspire designers.
Carrie Bradshaw's tutu skirt, Sex and the City.
The tutu skirt worn by Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City is another one of the famous iconic outfits in the fashion world.

This skirt was created by designer Patricia Field, and its first appearance was in the second season of the series (well, not counting the credits). The tutu skirt was a layered skirt made up of several bright colors: green, pink, blue, and orange. It was knee-length and had a voluminous shape that created an effect of movement and lightness.

Carrie Bradshaw wore this skirt in various scenes on the show, and it became a symbol of her unpredictable and eclectic style. This skirt epitomized the new wave of fashion in the early 2000s and became one of the most popular pieces among fans of the series.

Carrie Bradshaw's tutu skirt continues to inspire many fashion designers and is an example of an iconic outfit that has become an object of cult reverence.
Rosa's dresses, "Titanic."

The clothes that Roz wore in the movie were recreated from what she looked like on the real Titanic in 1912.

One of the most famous iconic outfits in cinema is the Edwardian-era dress. It was made of delicate red silk and embellished with embroidery, lace and beading. It was very elegant and fitted, but also had a luxurious voluminous skirt.

This dress was worn by Rose when she appeared at the party aboard the Titanic and was one of the most memorable moments in the movie. Rose looked incredibly beautiful and elegant, which emphasized her rich status and beauty.

During the famous kiss on the bow of the Titanic, Rose wore a beautiful blue dress with long sleeves and a stand-up collar. This dress was made in the style of the 1910s and had a deep neckline on her chest, which emphasized her femininity and beauty.

The dress was made of a silky fabric with a velvety sheen and was embellished with many details including embroidery, lace and beads. The gown was long and flowing around the waist and hips, and then extended downward to create a luxurious skirt with plenty of pleats and draping.
The dress that Roz was wearing at the time of the Titanic disaster was very simple and unusual. It was styled like a simple white cotton nightgown and reached down to her ankles. The dress was made of a lightweight material similar to cotton and had a very simple cut with no additional details or embellishments.

Despite its simplicity, this dress was one of the most memorable elements of the movie Titanic. Rose looked very vulnerable and delicate, which emphasized her femininity and youthfulness. In addition, this dress was a symbol of her decision to survive despite all the hardships and dangers.

Although this dress is not luxurious or elegant, it has become iconic in the movie world and continues to inspire designers and fashion historians. It is an example of an iconic outfit that has come to symbolize survival and the spirit of human resilience.
Iconic outfits play a major role in film and television. They help create unique images and complement the stories told on screen. Characters' clothing often becomes symbolic of a particular era, style, or mood of the movie. Iconic outfits, such as Audrey Hepburn's dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's or the superhero costume in The Avengers, can remain in viewers' memories for a long time and become cultural heritage objects.

Iconic outfits also influence fashion and inspire many people to create their own style. These outfits can help express one's individuality, experiment with fashion and create unique looks.

Overall, iconic outfits are an important element of storytelling, helping to create memorable images and embellish the stories told on screen. They are an important part of our cultural and historical heritage and continue to inspire people around the world.