The Best ‘90s Movies for Fashion Inspiration
all the most stylish 90s movies for fashion inspiration.
In a previous article on the best fashion YouTubers, I talked about how I prefer longer-form content for fashion inspiration. Accordingly, films are a particularly large source of fashion inspiration for me.
Fashion is “an essential part of the human experience,” and what art form captures this quite so well as film? Indeed, there’s no doubt that there’s a symbiotic relationship between fashion and film.
Both in real life and on the big screen, fashion tells a story about its wearer: who they are and what their world around them is like.
Moreover, fashion is an integral element of mis en scène—the visual “look” (and therefore feel) of a movie. And when a movie happens to capture each aspect of this just right, it creates a lasting mood that follows you into your daily life.
The looks we see on the daily and the screen interact with each other in harmony, creating a cycle of influence and inspiration—it’s one of those “art imitates life” and “life imitates art” things.
Because of this, film can effectively encapsulate an era it hails from, carrying us back in time and inspiring us forward.
Today, I wanted to bring us back to the ‘90s to take a look at the best movies for fashion inspiration that the decade has to offer.
One note before we get started: I rated these movies by how good they are as a whole as opposed to how good the fashion is (which is maybe more subjective) —each of them have a fashion element that I took inspiration from.
With all that said, here are the top 23 ‘90s movies for fashion inspiration.
90s Fashion Movies: the Best of the Best
Before Sunrise (1995)
rotten tomatoes rating: 100%
A man and a woman meet on a train to Vienna and decide to make the most of their time Before Sunrise, when their respective departures will be. What follows is something truly special—a peek into accidental love on a time-limit in all its charm, awkwardness, and longing for what could be.
Admittedly, our character in spotlight, Céline, only wears one outfit in the film but plays around with her limited options of a dress, t-shirt, and flannel jacket—as one might on a spontaneous adventure. Her outfit and the outfits in the film as a whole give us a glimpse into mid-’90s fashion, effectively transporting us.
Fallen Angels (1995)
rotten tomatoes rating: 95%
Fallen Angels follows interweaving tales of crime and infatuation in a neon-lit Hong Kong.
Reminiscent of the jump cuts and freeze frames from Jean-Luc Godard in the French New Wave, director Wong Kar-wai captures a similar (though unique) high-energy style—this time, in a dark, bustling, and hazy urban maze.
This film is a stylistic masterpiece, and, naturally, the fashion follows suit. With tight dresses, chokers, and oversized, hypebeast-esque officewear, the film perfectly captures the gritty, expressive, even romantic elements of 20-something angst.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
rotten tomatoes rating: 92%
Another noir film, Pulp Fiction, follows three stories set in a dark and incredibly stylish Los Angeles. The film, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is guided by its punchy, memorable dialogue, landing itself as a black comedy.
It’s likely that you’ve seen Uma Thurman’s Mia Wallace at at least one Halloween party, and for good reason; her style in the film became instantly iconic.
Whether in her white button down and tight, flared black trousers or black collared dress with the oversized army green jacket, Wallace’s sleek black bob and cool confidence made the character a style muse, both in the ‘90s and for decades to come.
Leon the Professional (1994)
rotten tomatoes rating: 74%
Leon the Professional is a sleek revenge flick about a kindred pair of hitmen (well, hitman and hitchild).
Our character in question, Mathilda, is styled as an abandoned girl who’s been forced to grow up quickly—rugged, rebellious, yet still expressively adolescent. You’ll see Mathilda sporting bomber jackets, knitted beanies and cardigans, crop tops and cutoffs en masse, and, of course, her signature choker. What makes her looks so cool are her playful creativity with fabrics and patterns. And that, in conjunction with her signature short bob and choker, elevates her style to provide viewers a cool punch of ‘90s fashion inspiration.
Rushmore (1998)
rotten tomatoes rating: 90%
A different kind of coming-of-age story, Rushmore follows a bright, eccentric tenth grader, Max Fischer, who is falling for a teacher while on the brink of expulsion from his prep school. The film is uniquely hilarious and full of charm.
We can take style inspiration from both Max and his teacher, Miss Cross, in this film; the two donned in a preppy ‘90s fashion that reflects their respective personalities. Miss Cross appears sweet, put-together, and teacherly, and Max as a bold and quirky Renaissance kid.
In an era where academia, both “light” and “dark,” remain trending in fashion, we can certainly pull a ton of outfit inspiration throughout this film via uniform blazers, berets, and academic palettes galore.
90s Fashion Movies: Must-Watch
Ever After (1998)
rotten tomatoes rating: 90%
There’s something about ‘90s period pieces that were so fresh and fun, especially when it came to the costuming. Ever After is no exception.
Set in 16th century Europe, Ever After is a particularly charming Cinderella story with a Late Renaissance twist.
The looks in this movie are just stunning, and while they may not be applicable for everyday fashion, they’re still sure to provide you with a strong dose of inspiration—especially, with their crossovers into modern cottagecore, fairycore, and the like.
Danielle (played by ‘90s darling Drew Barrymore)’s ball look is unforgettable; the intricately beaded, off-the-shoulder gown, gossamer wings, and glittered makeup are forever ingrained in my head (and heart).
The Fifth Element (1997)
rotten tomatoes rating: 71%
The Fifth Element is the second Luc Besson film on this list and is easily one of the top ‘90s fashion movies thanks to Jean-Paul Gaultier’s brilliant costuming.
Watch the fate of the world—in the form of a celestial girl—fall into a cabbie’s car and the spectacular battle of good vs. evil that follows. Did I mention this is a sci-fi movie?
Brenden Gallagher of Grailed Magazine suggests the movie’s cult success could not have happened without Jean-Paul Gaultier’s costume design, and I have to agree. While it’s an exciting and zany flick on its own, the style—bright, avant-garde, and funky-punk—is incredibly memorable and nudges the film into a must-watch.
Clueless (1995)
rotten tomatoes rating: 81%
You didn’t think I would forget Clueless, did you? Yes, Clueless easily earns a top spot among must-watch films for fashion inspiration—especially ‘90s fashion inspiration.
Somewhat parallel to Jane Austen’s Emma, Cher is a “handsome, clever, and rich” budding Cupid… who happens to be an incredibly stylish Beverly Hills high schooler too.
It’s a fun film all-around, but the fashion undoubtedly makes it. From plaid mini skirts to that Calvin Klein dress, Cher and her best friend, Dionne, wear too many iconic ‘90s outfits to count.
The Matrix (1999)
rotten tomatoes rating: 88%
Unknown to the world, humans in the future are actually living in a simulated reality called The Matrix. One day, a computer programmer, Neo, discovers this truth, and dazzling fight choreography and shoot outs ensue.
All black and leather-clad, fashion in The Matrix oozes cool and has inspired runway and street style for years to come.
Just recently, we saw ‘90s Matrix-style glasses come back via George Keburia. And you’ve probably seen Bella Hadid or Instagrammers like Regina Anikiy wearing Matrix-esque black leather trenches, pants, and the like with slim black frames.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You follows the beautiful and witty—yet caustic—Kat, who has absolutely no intention of dating anyone at her high school. And the first man to tempt her affection… happened to be to paid to ask her out. You can see where that goes.
Based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Have About You is a rom-com that holds to the test of time; the film is still incredibly watchable and features a ton of great looks that have circled back into fashion; think: low-rise jeans, cardigans, and cropped tops galore.
The Mask
The Mask is an underrated choice for stylish 90s movies. It’s a superhero film with a slick—yet cartoonish—vintage sci-fi feel.
The movie follows the down-on-his-luck bank clerk, Stanley Ipkiss (Jim Carrey), who discovers a magical mask… and when he puts the mask on? Bam! A whole lot of mischief and zany heroism ensue.
But our fashion icon in the film is the stylish Tina Carlyle, played by Cameron Diaz. Carlyle’s costumes perfectly encapsulate 90s runway glamour, giving viewers a dazzling source of inspiration to follow to this day.
90s Fashion Movies: Still Worth Watching
Notting Hill (1999)
rotten tomatoes rating: 83%
Charming with a dose of cheese, Notting Hill is one of the best rom-coms for those seeking to escape real life for an hour or two. What could be better than Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts in one movie, anyway?
The film is about the owner of a London bookstore (Grant) who’s just minding his own, when one day a fabulous American actress Anna Scott (Roberts) walks in and changes his world forever…
Both leads are tip-top trendy in all their looks; Anna is seen sporting leather blazers, berets, and sneaker + trouser combos that have fashion coteries starry-eyed to this day. It’s no secret that this movie is a go-to movie for 90s fashion inspiration.
Romeo and Juliet (1996)
rotten tomatoes rating: 73%
A freshly ‘90s take on the ill-fated Shakespearean romance, Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet needs no real plot rundown. But here’s what’s new: set in the post-modern city of Verona Beach, this crime flick follows two rival gangs, the Capulets and the Montagues, donned in a garish, modern aesthetic.
The film as a whole is incredibly innovative and iconic, and the fashion follows suit. You’ll see the Montague boys’ in open Hawaiian shirts, utilitarian pants, and combat boots by Prada, and the Capulet gang in Dolce & Gabbana quilted vests with decorative belt buckles and gun holsters.
Then, in contrast, we have Claire Danes as Juliet, dressed in outfits pure as snow—white and angelic—with clean lines and conservative cuts.
No doubt, this movie is a cult classic that safely ranks among the most stylish 90s movies.
Pretty Woman (1990)
rotten tomatoes rating: 64%
Dazzling, camp, and reasonably unconvincing, Pretty Woman is another escapist’s dream. The film is about a businessman and a prostitute who fall for one another… and all the subsequent difficulties they’ll need to overcome in the face of true love.
From masculine, oversized button-downs paired with mini skirts to iconic dresses that radiate glamour, Vivian (our hooker in question played by Julia Roberts) stuns in every look through the film. Whether grunge or classic, you’re sure to find a ton of great 90s fashion inspiration in this film.
90s Fashion Movies: (Dis)honorable Mentions to Watch When You’re Bored
‘90s fashion movies that are objectively bad but still kept me inspired in the style department.
