13 Iconic Fashion Films to Rewatch this Summer
- Tinaa Ramrakhiani
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
As hard as it is to believe, there’s more to fashion movies to watch than just The Devil Wears Prada. Yes, we all quote Miranda Priestly’s legendary cerulean monologue, but that moment? It wasn’t just about belts or sweaters. It was about how deeply fashion is stitched into our everyday lives. As she coolly put it:
“You think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select... that lumpy blue sweater... But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue... It’s actually cerulean.”
That scene? Not just iconic. It’s a reality check.
See, fashion isn’t fluff. It’s storytelling without words. One of the most underrated storytelling tools we have is what we wear every day. From House of Gucci’s fur-lined drama to Funny Face’s Parisian charm, these iconic fashion films for style inspiration give us more than just pretty outfits. They’re windows into culture, power, identity, and ambition. Whether based on real designers or fictional fashionistas, these movies about the fashion industry reveal how clothing can build empires, challenge norms, and sometimes change lives.
So if you’ve ever dismissed fashion as shallow (or know someone who has), this is your stylish wake-up call. Grab a latte, get cozy, and press play on these unforgettable fashion films to rewatch on a lazy Sunday because fashion isn’t dumb, darling. It’s everywhere.
1. Funny Face (1957)
Watch on: Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video
Set in Paris with Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton, a shy bookstore clerk turned accidental fashion model, this musical blends haute couture and old-Hollywood charm. Dressed in custom Givenchy, Hepburn dances through dreamy backdrops in a sweeping red gown beneath the Eiffel Tower, black beatnik turtlenecks, and romantic pastel dresses. Paired with Fred Astaire and Parisian elegance, Funny Face is a visual celebration of mid-century fashion photography and unapologetic style fantasy.
2. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)
Watch on: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video
Holly Golightly’s black Givenchy gown? History. From the oversized sunglasses to the strands of pearls and opera gloves, every detail is etched in pop culture. For the promotional posters, Audrey Hepburn wore the legendary 128-carat Tiffany Yellow Diamond-an accessory of historic proportions. Holly’s wardrobe is the epitome of effortless elegance and timeless charm.
3. Clueless (1995)
Watch on: Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video
Cher Horowitz’s virtual closet? Still legendary. The yellow plaid skirt suit, the feather-trimmed cardigans, fuzzy pens, and “an Alaïa!” dress? Each outfit is meticulously chosen and high on 90s glam. Clueless may be a teen comedy, but fashion is serious business. Costume designer Mona May helped define a generation with coordinated looks that remain meme-worthy and runway-inspiring even decades later.
4. Legally Blonde (2001)
Watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Elle Woods uses fashion as both armor and statement. Whether it’s her glittery bikini in her Harvard admission video or the iconic courtroom pink suit, every outfit is a power move wrapped in pastels. Her style refuses to conform, insisting that femininity and intellect are not mutually exclusive. Her wardrobe is proof that pink is powerful, and being underestimated can be stylishly corrected.
5. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Andy Sachs’s closet transformation? Cinematic gold. From ill-fitting sweaters to sleek Chanel coats, her fashion journey is a masterclass in personal style. And then there's Miranda Priestly-whose monochrome looks and cold stare could stop a Birkin in its tracks. Patricia Field's styling gave us thigh-high boots, oversized belts, and the eternal relevance of a good black turtleneck. Fashion is the plot here.
6. Sex and the City (2008)
Watch on: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)
Carrie Bradshaw’s closet is the epitome of fashion fantasy, where every shoe and bag tells a story. The Manolo Blahnik heels, Christian Louboutin stilettos, and the legendary Fendi Baguette bag set off countless trends. Costume designer Patricia Field’s work turned Carrie and her friends into style icons, Charlotte’s elegant Chanel pearls, Miranda’s sharp suits, and Samantha’s bold prints all showcase different facets of modern luxury fashion.
7. Coco Before Chanel (2009)
Watch on: Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy), Tubi (free)
Before the double-C logo came the story of a girl with vision. Audrey Tautou embodies the early life of Gabrielle Chanel with a wardrobe that evolves from plain linen shirts to sharply tailored menswear. The minimalist palette black, white, and beige foreshadows the empire Coco would later build. It’s a quiet, poetic film that tells the story of fashion’s greatest rule-breaker.
8. Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
Watch on: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)
This biopic dives into the designer’s early career, from Dior’s protégé to launching his own label. The film is rich in archival pieces, dramatic silhouettes, and emotional design moments. The Mondrian dress, Le Smoking tuxedo, and YSL’s love for rich textures and bold color all take center stage. A must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the soul behind the seams.
9. Phantom Thread (2017)
Watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video (rent/buy)
Set in 1950s London, this psychological drama explores the relationship between a couturier and his muse. Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock crafts every gown like a fragile masterpiece. The silk-lined dresses, hidden messages sewn into hems, and controlled palettes reflect the obsessive beauty of couture. Costume designer Mark Bridges won an Oscar for this haunting and elegant fashion tale.
10. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Luxury drips from every scene. Astrid’s sculptural caped ensembles, Rachel’s soft-blue Marchesa wedding gown, Eleanor’s regal cheongsam the clothing isn’t background; it’s character development. Designers like Ralph & Russo, Dior and Elie Saab add to the opulence. You’re not just watching a rom-com, you’re attending a high-society fashion gala.
11. House of Gucci (2021)
Watch on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani delivers over-the-top 80s and 90s fashion: leopard prints, gold jewelry, silk scarves, and structured power suits that scream drama. The film’s aesthetic is rich, decadent, and unapologetically loud.
And of course, we get the iconic line:
“Father, Son, and House of Gucci.”
It’s camp, it’s couture, it’s killer fashion storytelling.
12. Cruella (2021)
Watch on: Disney+
Punk rebellion meets couture drama. Cruella’s wardrobe is one long performance: a garbage-truck gown made of newspaper, a military-style motorcycle jacket, and the infamous fiery red dress that self-ignites into black. The visuals channel Vivienne Westwood meets Alexander McQueen. It's theatrical fashion at its most rebellious.
13. Inventing Anna (2022)
Watch on: Netflix
Style and scam? Anna Delvey had both. Her Celine sunglasses, Hermès scarves, perfectly tailored blazers, and courtroom-ready fits blurred the line between illusion and aspiration. Fashion was her con tool, a way to buy credibility. It’s a commentary on branding, image, and the power of appearance in the age of Instagram and influence.