
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," which was named one of TCM's favorite fashion films. Photo: Paramount Pictures/Getty Images
So, it's no surprise that, just in time for New York Fashion Week, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) has named the network's 15 Favorite Fashion Trendsetting Films.
TCM experts were joined by designers Manolo Blahnik and Todd Oldham in selecting the movies, which include "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955), starring the epitome of cool, James Dean. "Even I had his red biker jacket," Blahnik says.
Oldham sang the praises of "Auntie Mame" (1958). "While not as influential at the time of its opening, it features one of the most fashionably daring wardrobes on screen, always worn perfectly by Rosalind Russell," he says. "Every fashion designer knows Auntie Mame."
TCM host Robert Osborne says fashion remains an integral part of the images of many stars. "The greatest leading men and leading ladies all had distinctive styles," he says. "Today, we remember not just the acting skills of someone like Cary Grant -- we also know him for his indelible fashion sense."
Here's the list, in chronological order. Start adding to your Netflix queue, stat.
- "Pandora's Box" (1929): Louise Brooks' sleek black bob and half-naked beaded gowns.
- "Letty Lynton" (1932): Joan Crawford and designer Adrian, a match made in fashion heaven.
- "It Happened One Night" (1934): Bare-chested Clark Gable led men stopped buying undershirts.
- "Pat and Mike" (1952): Katharine Hepburn cements her liberating, gender-bending - image.
- "Rear Window" (1954): Grace Kelly plus Edith Head equals fashion magic.
- "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955): James Dean, T-shirt, red jacket. Trouble. And we loved it.
- "And God Created Woman. . ." (1956): Brigitte Bardot's turns bikini into international sensation.
- "Auntie Mame" (1958): Rosalind Russell's Mame Dennis lives and breathes fashion.
- "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961): Audrey Hepburn's little black dress becomes crown jewel in any woman's wardrobe.
- "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967): Faye Dunaway in printed scarves, pencil skirts, knitted sweaters and bias-cut dresses. Perfection.
- "The Thomas Crown Affair" (1968): Steve McQueen in sexy tailored suits.
- "Shaft" (1971): Three-quarter-length leather jackets and leather pants combined with turtlenecks made Richard Roundtree a fashion icon.
- "Annie Hall" (1977): Diane Keaton's mismatched menswear sent women running to the neighborhood thrift shop.
- "Saturday Night Fever" (1977): John Travolta in his white disco suit. Enough said.
- "Flashdance" (1983): A sweatshirt fashion craze was born.