Fashion Trends and the Stars that Started Them

Fashion is a massive part of our culture and it’s often influenced by the films that Hollywood produces. When an actor is seen wearing something new or a blast from the past in a film, the general public, with a sense for fashion, tend to follow suit.

For instance, right now the U.S. has seen a lot of changes in fashion trends. Not too long ago, animal print was shunned and gawked at. Now, cheetah and zebra print outfits are becoming one of the most stylish fashion choices.

Women might also remember how they were expected to wear clothing that showed off their feminine figure in past years. That’s not the case in the fall of 2018. The newest trend is focused more on modest clothing. Layers are more popular than ever and so are squared pantsuits that you would normally find on masculine forms.

Cowboy boots have been making a huge comeback for men. There’s a sudden interest in laid-back, blue-collar worker outfits that are paired with a solid array of modern cowboy boots. It’s simple, it’s fashionable, and it’s easy enough for men who aren’t fashion minded. Modern cowboy boots come in a variety of styles, like Ariat mens square toe cowboy boots, for example.

Today’s trends are interesting and attractive to the eye, but what about the fashion trends of yesteryear? Well, let’s look at some of the most iconic fashion trends that Hollywood inspired in the past.

Marilyn Monroe and the White Dress

Everyone knows who Marilyn Monroe is and has most likely seen the infamous scene where her dress is blown around from a gust of wind. That billowing white dress became an icon in both film and fashion during the time. The jaws of every person alive at the time dropped during the infamous scene and it cemented Monroe’s place in pop culture for decades to come. It was so impactful that it remains an icon in fashion to this day.

Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada is a classic from not so long ago. Not only was the film a massive success that is still referenced to this day, it also left a lasting impact on the fashion world. Anne Hathaway and her co-stars only wore the highest quality brands in the movie. This piqued the interest of the average woman to begin enjoying the class and sophistication that comes with Chanel, Fendi, and Prada clothing.

Diane Keaton as Annie Hall

In the 1977 movie Annie Hall, Diane Keaton was dressed in several layers of men’s clothing. At the time, it was completely unheard of. Diane started a firestorm in the fashion industry when women around the world rushed to copy the signature look. To this day, the look is still copied regularly.

Audrey Hepburn’s Little Black Dress

Audrey Hepburn was already a bright star in Hollywood, but in 1961 she starred in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Not only is the film a classic, but Audrey Hepburn’s outfit became an instant classic. The little black dress that she wore was accented with a three-strand, pearl necklace and little else. The simplicity of the dress became timeless and it remains iconic to this day.

Audrey Hepburn’s White Gown

As stated above, Audrey Hepburn was a star in Hollywood long before she wore the little black dress by Givenchy. In fact, as early as 1954 she was making headlines in another Givenchy creation. She wore a white gown with a black flower pattern in Sabrina. The outfit isn’t as well known or referenced as often as the little black dress, but it had a huge impact on fashion at the time.

Jennifer Beals in Flashdance

In 1983, Jennifer Beals created a look that would take the fashion world by storm and continue to do so for decades. In the movie Flashdance, Beal took an ordinary sweater that was too large, slipped it on, and utilized the massive neck opening to expose one of her shoulders. It was ridiculously simple, accessible to everyone, and overall, it became a timeless fashion statement.

John Travolta in Grease

Slicked hair, leather jackets, blue jeans, and black leather shoes are iconic of an entire generation. This can be attributed to John Travolta’s character in the 1978 film Grease. He was considered to have the coolest look around at the time and the outfit still influences men’s fashion.

If you can’t get enough of the fashion world and you want to learn more, Forbes has an article to help with that.