From plaid and preppy to classy and chic, the popular rom-com from 1995 changed the game in the fashion world. Clueless was one of the first movies to make plaid schoolgirl looks seem cute and stylish, with the influence of the movie spreading throughout television and other popular media outlets.
Plaid, along with monochromatic ensembles paired with hints of bright color seemed to be the main theme for the film’s wardrobe. The girls were the main focus, and were seen constantly strutting the school hallways with new and eccentric looks each time.
In the film, Cher Horowitz is a Beverly Hills high school fashionista. She rules her life and her school by the different statements she makes with her bubbly yet confident aura. Her plaid yellow blazer and skirt set is seen as the most classic look throughout, with modern day Halloween costumes being modeled almost identically.
Alicia Silverstone as Cher quickly became a huge fashion icon. Within the film, the actress was able to pull of a number of stunning looks, all representing the quirky charm that came with the character and overall storyline.
As stated in Fashion on Television, “it is primarily the display of lifestyle within extra-textual material that contributes to the construction of the star as ‘glamorous’ and as an object of desire” (111). It’s no secret that Cher lived a life that every girl would dream of having. Let’s face it – there was basically no limit to the amount of clothes she could shop for.
The chapter focus primarily on Sarah Jessica Parker and Blake Lively being their own respective shows’ style icons living in a dream-like fashion world (110). Women like these are being portrayed as powerful protagonists who just also happen to be style icons. They are figures within the media that young girls look up to for style inspiration.
As one of the original movies to showcase a strong female protagonist, Clueless will be remembered as a classic moment in fashion history. Hints of the ’90s fashion being worn by all different characters in the film are still being incorporated into modern day fashion. Similarly, many streetwear styles show a lot of designs with plaid, or laid-back preppy looks.
Street Style in the City 