Few films have managed to capture an era’s fashion culture quite like Amy Heckerling’s Clueless. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, continues to inspire contemporary clothing and pop culture references almost three decades after its release. From countless celebrity Halloween costumes to campy recreations (i.e. Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy” music video), the cult classic’s costumes stand the test of time and have become some of the most recognizable costumes in cinematic history.
“For the movie, I mixed thrift store with designer because I did not have a lot of money in my budget to buy designer things,” costume designer Mona May explained in a Vanity Fair interview. “It was about taking fashion from all different sources and predict what would be on the street six months ahead, like a fashion designer would.”
Many of the film’s iconic outfits were either thrifted or entirely made by May, with the exception of Cher’s classic yellow suit which was designed by Dolce and Gabbana. Regardless of what the occasion or setting, Cher and Dionne cemented themselves as one of the best dressed duos of all time.
Though we can’t go back in time to thrift Cher’s red Alaïa mini dress or Dionne’s custom black and white suit, the film’s fashion inspiration lives on, in both contemporary culture and current fashions. To celebrate the anniversary of the film’s release, see how CR would reimagine some of the film’s best outfits with a 2024 twist.
