Notes

Fashion Icon: The Unconcerned Costume
In terms of classic films for teens certain costumes have become immortal. Sandy's sultry black jumpsuit in Grease Sloane's glam white leather fringe jacket from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Napoleon Dynamite's flannel dress have stood the tests of time. But when it comes to giving the apex of the Nineties fashion scene, none of the costumes have been more iconic than Cher Horowitz's plaid yellow outfit from Clueless. The 1995 film is a modern version of Jane Austen's comedy manners Emma of 1815. The film has gained acclaim for its '90s fashion and also for its well-known phrases and Alicia's unique depiction of a style-obsessed teen living in the fictional Beverly Hills high-school.


Created by costume designer Mona May (who also worked on Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed and House Bunny), Clueless brought the world a whole new generation of fun, feminine ferocity. May has used the same style for a variety of films since, but it's the iconic outfit of the film that allowed her creations to stand the tests of time.


Cher's red Alaia (A-what? From Cher's adorable red ("A-what-a?") dress to Dionne’s large-than-life caps. The film is filled with fashion references and outfits which were cited as inspirations for decades. Clueless Cher Outfit Cher Horowitz 90s Outfits Halloween has recently teamed up with the online vintage boutique Thrilling to design a distinct collection of outfits that are inspired by Clueless.


As the movie celebrates its 25th anniversary we spoke with May to discover what it was about this wild romcom that created an iconic fashion icon. She reveals how her outfits were created to represent Cher's character. Cher and the reasons she believes that '90s fashion will live on for the foreseeable future.



Cher may believe that her carefully curated clothes are a sign of her strength, but the film shows her to not have confidence or self-confidence when she's not wearing her attire. When she's confronted in a gun-toting red Alaia dress, she first will try to fight the attacker by arguing that the dress is worth the money, but she ultimately she is left unable to defend herself. The lesson about the limits of fashion's power is perhaps the most lasting message from the iconic film.

Homepage: https://www.cluelesscostume.com/