Ten Movies that changed fashion

Movies are a great source of style inspiration: they can capture the look of an era or create a style that just begs to be taken to the streets.

Audry Hepburn’s little black dress. Jennifer Beals’ torn T-shirt. Richard Gere’s pale suits. Movies all helped bring those looks into the real world’s wardrobe.

This weekend, yet another movie will offer a glimpse behind the scenes of the fashion world—“The September Issue,“ a documentary that follows Vogue editor Anna Wintour as she puts together the 2007 September issue (an important annual issue that focuses on emerging fashion trends for the fall).

But as influential as Wintour and Vogue have been, movies have left their celluloid fingerprints on fashion trends. Turner Classic Movies acknowledged that recently, releasing its Top 15 most fashionable movies. And there’s no arguing with “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,“ “Annie Hall” and “Flashdance” (which also made our list).

But there’s nothing on the list after 1983? Surely, they forgot about “Pulp Fiction,“ “Clueless” and “Desperately Seeking Susan.“

So, for the sake of competition, we decided to compile our own list of 10 flicks that changed the fashion world and the way we dress.

Here they are, in no particular order.

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961). Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) cemented a place in fashion history for the little black dress, along with big sunglasses, the Burberry trench coat and pearls.

“Flashdance” (1983). What a feeling we got when Alex Owens (Jennifer Beals) donned oversized sweatshirts, torn T-shirts and leggings outside the gym — and it looked awesome.

“American Gigolo” (1980). Never has (male) prostitution looked so fashionable than when Julian Kaye (Richard Gere) sported tailored suits, skinny ties and turtlenecks and helped launched the career of fashion designer, Giorgio Armani.

“Annie Hall” (1977). Diane Keaton as Annie Hall borrowed from the boys long before it became fashionable for women to sport masculine trousers, loose-fitting men’s shirts and ties. It remains a popular look.

“Grease” (1978). All that singing and dancing in a plethora of petticoats, leather and tight spandex had us hopelessly devoted to Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John), Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and the whole Rydell High gang.

“Urban Cowboy” (1980). Girls in cowboy hats and miniskirts, dudes in cowboy hats and blinged-out denim shirts. This movie did for Western wear what Gilley’s did for mechanical bulls. Ooee!

“Desperately Seeking Susan” (1985). The rhinestone studded boots, leather pants, underwear as outerwear, black lace and wayyy too much jewelry — Susan (Madonna) made it all seem cool.

“Pulp Fiction” (1994). From Jules Winnfield’s (Samuel L. Jackson) slimming monotone suits to Mia Wallace’s (Uma Thurman) crisp white shirt and black capris; these looks are still anything but square, Daddy-O.

“Clueless” (1995). As if! Cher (Alicia Silverstone), a cell-toting teen who loves to dress up, turned us on to knee socks, brightly colored mini suits and tank dresses.

“The Devil Wears Prada” (2006). Designer power suits, double-C logo pearls, tweed newsboy caps, thigh-high boots and status handbags. Even if we couldn’t afford it, we were willing to get a knockoff.

So, do you agree or disagree with our choices?

Has a movie ever inspired your style? E-mail us a picture in the outfit inspired by a film along with a few details — your name, film inspiration, description. Come on, don’t be shy. We’ll post the photos on our style blog at TBO.com, Keyword: Hot Pursuits.