Fashion & Film #11 ~ Pretty Woman...

By Lucy Harbron - 19:17



The 1990 movie Pretty Woman is everlasting and iconic as both a beautifully unconventional love story, and a time capsule displaying the hand-over between 80s and 90s fashion.

Pretty Woman has remained one of my favourite films since I was young. Julia Robert's performance as Vivian is infatuating, her classic smile on a character that is so optimistic and charming despite her situation makes the character endlessly likeable. She has little to no flaws, and I want her to be my best friend.

Dealing with the topic of sex work, the movie tackles the idea of 'cheap', 'tacky' fashion. If anyone ever attempts to insult your outfit by likening you to a 'hooker', please point them in the direction of Pretty Woman and say thank you, because Vivian smashes all the stereotypes by dressing impeccably from start to finish.

We first see Vivian in a cut out dress, baker boy hat, thigh high boots and an oversized red silk suit jacket. Incredible. Iconic. Beautiful. 10/10 would wear. Her style of edgy and overtly tryna-be sexy dress is the dream cross-decade attire, displaying several trends and pieces that we're all lusting after at the moment. Then her change into tryna-be classy attire towards the end of the film shows us exactly how to wear masculine shapes as she wears jewel-toned co-ords and tailored shapes. Perfect from start to finish, Vivian turns 'hooker' into a well-crafted aesthetic (and a successful career that bags her a man.)

At the start of the year I decided my vibe was Pretty Woman; ironically sexy while also totally not sexy and practical. Like a hooker that wants to stay warm and also has uni at 10am. So I've been wearing fishnet tights with short skirts paired with baggy jumpers and berets. I've been dreaming of an all-red get up, pairing a red vinyl skirt with a red knit jumper. Anything PVC, vinyl or leather is ideal.

Think jewel tones, fishnets, pieces that look borrowed from a boy, tailoring, masc/fem and the kind of sexy you'd see in 80s music videos. Think wearing all that in a fancy hotel. That's what Vivian would want for us.

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