It’s that time again when we get ready to change calendars, mark down the dates for all the awards shows, and start thinking about what movies we’re most looking forward to in the coming year. However, among the Top 10 lists brought to you by Movie Buzzers, we can’t forget my third year in a row of offering up the Top 10 Most Stylish Films of 2012 (see 2011 & 2010). Of course, these are the movies that have brought the biggest stars to the forefront of the media, rife with sneak peek stills in costume, interviews about their transformations, and even the most recent trend: movie-inspired collections for the mainstream mall shopper (Remember The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & H&M last year?).
And now the countdown begins…
10. Katy Perry: Part of Me
Yes, this is a documentary film about the pop star who was made famous for her first single, “I Kissed A Girl,” but the singer has brought her flashy pinup / naughty girl-next-door flavor to the big screen in this concert movie. Of course, we witness her rise to stardom with home movies, community performances for her church, and actual concert footage, but the over-the-top combination of Perry’s on-stage style and red carpet designer looks have solidified her status as a fashion icon. Next up for Perry on the big screen is her return as Smurfette in The Smurfs 2 next summer.
9. The Vow
I only just recently saw this movie, for fear of bawling my eyes out based on all of the female-driven gossip and heavy romance hearsay, however I was pleasantly surprised that amid the tragedy between Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum’s characters, their styles mirror their rekindling romance. Prior to an accident that leaves McAdams’ Paige without any memory of her entire four-year relationship and marriage with Tatum’s Leo, Paige goes from an artsy bed-headed brunette in mismatched separates of the boho-chic style to a frosted blonde in streamlined dresses that would have Michelle Obama swooning. While Paige tries to find her way back to herself, she clings on to the familiarly sheath dressed preppy style of her former law student self. This rivals nicely, in terms of fashion, with Leo’s model good looks and easy-going wardrobe as a small business owner with a passion for music.
8. The Hunger Games
The fashion blogosphere went crazy when casting began for The Hunger Games, especially when Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence gave the book’s female lead Katniss Everdeen a face. Katniss’s mix of utilitarian leather, sister-wife cotton frocks, no-fuss braids, and a literally flaming debut as District Twelve’s heroine makes for quite the aesthetic statement. Also, the notably flamboyant style of Elizabeth Banks’ Effie Trainket couldn’t be denied, setting a new trend among the cosmetics pages of the biggest fashion magazines, and surely inspiring a Halloween costume or two.
7. Perks of Being a Wallflower
This high school set film based on the acclaimed coming-of-age novel shows off the awkward best of the 90s. By throwing British beauty Emma Watson and Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev in the film, it’s sure to be a win of dark flannels, mumsy florals, all-black looks, unmanaged hair, and oversized cardigans. This makes sense of those early reruns of Friends and 90210, especially when each of the movie’s characters are on the brink n self-discovery. Looking back on those high school days, there are plenty of looks that we regret, but that kind of once-in-a-lifetime unawareness is what makes for a great movie.
6. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2
I shudder to put this movie on any top 10 list of mine, but the impact of the film on pop culture is forever embedded in our brains. In the finale of the franchine which shows Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattinson) as parents to doe-eyed daughter Renesmee, the formerly brooding teenaged lovers, well she was a teenager for a while there, are both vampires, looking paler than ever. The previous installment showed their wedding, with a gown designed by the one and only Carolina Herrera, but the feminine factor for Bella is different now since she’s more of a woman and now a mother. With richer brunette locks, more figure-flattering costumes, and a red-eyed stare to boot, Bella, and Stewart, have both evolved into their more maturely fashionable selves.
5. The Dark Knight Rises
Once word got out that Anne Hathaway was tapped to suit up as Catwoman, I wondered about the future of leather jumpsuits on the runways. This was a standout year for strong female characters in film (including The Hunger Games and Scarlett Johansson in The Avengers), but Catwoman took on Gotham City with a little extra pep in her kitty cat step. This included a newly revamped skintight boot-bedecked catsuit, as well as designer duds for Selina Kyle’s character by day. The feminine power didn’t stop there as Marion Cotillard’s classic style in formal evening attire as well as colder outdoor scenes was an unforgettable twist that Nolan surely utilized to downplay her character’s true identity. Also, Bruce Wayne’s rise to power included plenty of dapper suits and winter outerwear fit for Gotham royalty, whereas the flipside of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s cop-on-the-beat uniform has never looked more virile and street smart.
4. Sparkle
Sadly, this film marks the final big screen appearance of music legend Whitney Houston, however as the matriarch to a rising girl group, she’s never looked more radiant. Also in tow is American Idol winner Jordin Sparks whose retro hairstyles and ever so sparkly costumes made for a flashback to 2006’s well-coordinated Dreamgirls. The trio which included Sparks, Tika Sumpter, and Carmen Ejogo might not have seen the Blockbuster success that they expected with Sparkle, but it still makes for a fun reference for the token performance film of 2012 with sequin bedazzled stage costumes hitting the spotlight, especially if you’re looking for some style inspiration when celebrating the new year.
3. The Amazing Spider-Man
This was one movie that I didn’t quite get around to seeing this year (yet), but it was hard to miss Emma Stone’s consistently enviable red carpet appearances while promoting the action / romance, especially since designers and fashion houses like Chanel, Balmain, Bottega Veneta, and Lanvin have been seen on the blonde star. However, here it’s important to remember that Stone’s on-screen style as Peter Parker’s high school love, Gwen Stacy, is the focus. Her playful school girl ensembles full of miniskirts, classic headbands, sweater sets, and bows made her the fantasy of every high school guy, as well as the older viewers who’d never seen Stone’s sexy side. The Golden Globe-nominated actress returns as Gwen Stacy in 2014, reprising her role and I’m really looking forward to seeing her character’s style evolve from high school sweetheart to a minimalist science-loving grown woman.
2. Skyfall
Naturally, I always want to focus on women’s fashion, especially since it’s so accessible, what with coverage from the latest and greatest fashion magazines, but it was hard to resist not putting Skyfall close to the top of the list. Daniel Craig’s long-awaited return as the sexy, suave, and debonair 007, James Bond, put Craig on the forefront of men’s fashion, especially since his on-screen style was created by American icon of fashion, Tom Ford. Whether Bond is in a classic black tuxedo, stealthily sipping a martini, wearing a crisp creamy suit, or protecting M in ruggedly handsome separates, every scene was like watching the best of the runway. Also, Bond girls Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris contrasted with ravishing evening elegance as Bond’s next conquest and professional agent / exotic bombshell, respectively. Lastly, without any spoilers, it’s certainly worth it to mention Judi Dench’s always stellar attire as M, looking every bit a woman of style in luxe tweed (perhaps by Chanel?), Swarovski stud baubles, and only the most primly proper brooches for every lapel.
1. Anna Karenina
Is it a surprise that this is the #1 most stylish film? With a special edition collection inspired by the film reimagined for the Banana Republic customer, the pages of every single major magazine were smattered with Keira Knightley’s pout as Leo Tolstoy’s tragic heroine, Anna Karenina. It’s only fitting that this movie about eighteenth century Russian decadence, high society status, and rebelling against power shows a daring Anna always in her most luxurious furs, glittering diamonds, and delicately lace-trimmed gowns. Major kudos to costume designer, Jacqueline Durran, for bringing the details of Tolstoy’s novel to life in an unforgettably beautiful way, which will hopefully snag an Oscar for its visually stunning onslaught of old world glamour.
This year’s honorable mentions include Hitchcock for its spot-on depiction of Alfred Hitchock’s production of Pyscho, starring the always gorgeous Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren donning the fashionable duds of the 60s, opposite a very portly, but always suit-clad Anthony Hopkins as the legendary director. Cloud Atlas transformed Halle Berry throughout several different periods with multiple storylines, including her in “white face,” as well as her portrayal as an Asian man. Hyde Park on Hudson shows off Laura Linney’s soft and reserved side as FDR’s distant cousin in the late 1930s.
America’s sweetheart Reese Witherspoon is a dating magnet in This Means War, as friends and CIA operatives Tom Hardy and Chris Pine fight for her affection in a series of dates gone wrong and hilarious action sequences. Lastly, I wanted to mention The Five Year Engagement because I think Emily Blunt can do no wrong. Movies that span a certain amount of time always seem to rely on fashion and costumes as an external radar of a character’s progress.
I’d also like to mention Les Miserables, but this isn’t a film known for its luxury period piece costumes, especially since the musical’s heroine, Fantine, played brilliantly by Anne Hathaway, is a penniless prostitute who chops off all of her hair. True, Amanda Seyfried looks every bit angelic opposite a dashingly handsome Hugh Jackman, but the film’s multiple red carpet premieres are where the notable fashion moments in history are truly taking place. This is also the case with any film that Jessica Chastain has promoted in 2012.
What movie styles are you looking forward to in 2013? You can bet that next summer’s epic, The Great Gatsby, will appear on my list, especially since Italian designer Miuccia Prada is behind the flapper fete. Also, the fantasy world behind Oz: The Great & Powerful will bring out the most ethereal and evil in Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, and Rachel Weisz.
Do you agree with my picks for the most stylish films of 2012? Did I leave any out? Which were your favorite on screen looks?
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