Whether dramatic and sweeping or charmingly short, a beautiful dress is the cure-all for any fashion woe—at least, in my opinion.
Needless to say, I have always been a firm believer in the power of the dress. There’s just something so feminine and yet so commanding about a fantastic frock. It’s got that indelible X factor that makes it impossible to put on anything else once you’ve found the right fit. Hopeless romantics gush about “The One” when speaking of a great love—but in my case, “The One” is The Dress I Will Never Get Sick Of (which could also be a great love, depending on how you look at it!).
My fondness for frocks is so great that I will probably remember a character in a movie or television show by the color and cut of her dress and whether or not I liked it, even if I didn’t catch her name. This usually happens when I’m trying to identify the heroine’s BFF or the kontrabida’s underling, like Renee Zellweger’s friend in Down with Love with the black and white houndstooth dress or Blair Waldorf’s brunette minion who is forever in B’s rip-offs (with less fabulous headbands). You get the picture.
In any case, there are three things I pay close attention to when I’m really sinking my teeth into a dress—especially if I’m looking to imitate its wearer.
First is how it falls on the figure. I got obsessed with the cheongsam after watching In the Mood for Love and seeing how it nipped and sloped the heroine’s curves just right. I’m not exactly partial to Oriental trends, but this parade of sharply-tailored cheongsams in sophisticated prints made me rethink my stance—stat!
Second is how the dress looks against a particular skin tone. I live for a little white dress against dewy, bronzed skin, or a blood-red number against an ivory complexion—and the list goes on. Of course, this contrast also works with other garments, but a pretty frock exudes that fresh, breathless, carefree feeling that you simply can’t capture with a blouse and trousers.
Third is how the dress plays up your personality. Now, especially, when fashion is a fluid being that you can bend to your will, there is a dress out there for everybody. I love classic movies and their iconic dresses, but lately, I have been witnessing a wonderful revolution in modern film costumes—how even supporting characters are given unique style personas to adhere to and strengthen themselves by, rather than playing frumpy seconds to the lead. After all, there are no rules anymore, except that you be yourself and that you wear the dress rather than let the dress wear you.
Below, I’ve chronicled 15 of my favorite dresses in film and television since the 2000s. Of course, there were more than enough before this period—I could make an entire list from Audrey Hepburn’s frocks alone—but I thought I’d put a spin on things in homage to this generation.
What are some of your favorite dresses? I’d love to hear about them!
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