15 Iconic Movie Outfits and Curious Secrets Behind Them

Thanks to movies and TV series, our world is filled with iconic scenes and lines that have become part of everyday life. But it’s not just that — cinema has also given us outfits that became pop culture symbols, some with fascinating stories behind them, and others that even inspired everyday fashion trends.

1. Vivian’s red coat from Pretty Woman

Julia Roberts’ look in Pretty Woman is iconic. Her charisma, elegance, and radiant smile helped make the film a timeless classic. Every outfit her character wore was memorable, but there’s a little-known story behind one particularly striking red jacket.

Director Garry Marshall was searching for the perfect jacket for the scene where Vivian walks the streets but struggled to find one — until inspiration struck. They spotted a passerby on the streets of Los Angeles wearing a coat that was just right. After some kids on set offered the wearer money to sell it, that very red jacket became the one Julia Roberts wore in the iconic film.

2. Bruce Lee’s yellow suit

The yellow suit worn by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill Volume 1, which has become a movie icon, is actually an homage to Bruce Lee, who wore a similar suit in Game of Death, the movie that the martial arts icon was filming when he tragically passed away. Since the audience of Lee’s film was much smaller than that of Tarantino’s, the movie did not achieve the accolades (either in terms of criticism or audience numbers) that Kill Bill obtained around the world — we can therefore say that the yellow suit became an icon thanks to Kill Bill.

3. Top Gun’s jacket

Another 80s classic, Top Gun, the movie that launched Tom Cruise to fame and glory, was a total blockbuster in its day. One of the songs on the soundtrack, “Take My Breath Away,” by Berlin, became one of the most famous slow beats of the decade, and together with the film, they both became classics. Tom Cruise’s character turned his sunglasses and jacket into a legendary outfit.

4. Brad Pitt’s leather jacket from Fight Club

Fight Club told a strange, violent story, full of black humor and disenchantment. At the time, it was a success and, over the years, it earned the status of modern classic. Brad Pitt’s character was a symbol of leadership, sensuality, audacity, and rebellion. Choosing the wardrobe for this character could have been a challenge for designers, but they clearly rose to the occasion, making the jacket he was wearing an iconic piece.

5. The Flashdance sweatshirt

Flashdance tells the story of a young working-class woman whose dream was to become a dancer. The film became a success both because of the great music and because of the love story that the protagonist had with the owner of the factory where she worked. Jennifer Beals’ shoulder-revealing sweatshirt became popular among young women and teenagers of the time, so much so that it became an enduring trend.

6. John Travolta’s white suit in Saturday Night Fever

The ’70s were the years of disco music, and Saturday Night Fever is, without a doubt, the best example of that trend. The movie was full of love, rebellion, social criticism, and, above all, lots of great music and dancing. The soundtrack included some of the most famous songs of the Bee Gees. The dance scene in which John Travolta wears a white suit with a black shirt made that outfit an icon and a reference to those years.

7. Jon Snow’s coat in Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is a series where every costume piece tells a story — but few know that the Night’s Watch cloaks started out as IKEA rugs. Yes, ordinary SKÖLD and LUDDE sheepskin rugs were cleverly transformed by the costume team: cut, trimmed, painted, and adorned with leather belts to become the iconic, rugged medieval capes.

This ingenious trick not only saved the production money but also added unique texture and authenticity to the look. IKEA even shared instructions for making your own version at home, so fans can feel like true members of the Night’s Watch. It’s amazing how simple rugs became legendary — and made watching the show even more fun.

8. Humphrey Bogart’s trench coat and hat from Casablanca

Casablanca is undoubtedly one of the greatest classics of all time, and it is not possible to talk about the history of cinema without mentioning it. It left us with memorable scenes, quotes that we have all heard a thousand times, like, “We will always have Paris,” or “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” and “Play it, Sam. Play ’As Time Goes By’.” And that’s not all: Humphrey Bogart’s trench coat and hat have become one with him; it’s very difficult to think of those clothes without the image of the actor coming to mind.

9. Nastassja Kinski’s dress from Paris, Texas

Written by Sam Sheppard and directed by Win Wenders, Paris, Texas is one of the greatest films in the history of cinema. Deep and ascetic, the story of “Travis,” a strange man who is first seen lost in the desert after having spent years away from his family, is one of the great classics of world cinema. The dress worn by Nastassja Kinski in the heartbreaking closing scene is an icon of the world of cinema, especially for film lovers all around the world.

10. A Clockwork Orange’s suspender pants

Directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1971, A Clockwork Orange generated controversy for its violent scenes. The movie certainly generated a lot of social criticism, especially among young audiences. The suspenders pants, the hat, and the boots became a reference of the world’s countercultural movements.

11. Marlon Brando’s tank from A Streetcar Named Desire

A Streetcar Named Desire, based on a play by Tennessee Williams, is another classic of film history. Marlon Brando, its protagonist, was launched to fame wearing this simple yet iconic attire. Brando’s incredible display of sensitive masculinity was perfectly portrayed by his strong arms and delicate hands.

12. Susan Sarandon’s handkerchief and sunglasses from Thelma and Louise

Directed by Ridley Scott, Thelma & Louise was one of the great successes of the 1990s. The film was considered an important symbol, and many women saw in the protagonists the representation of a new type of woman who rebelled against submission and brutality. Interpretations aside, the fact is that both characters became icons of the cinema, and Louise’s scarf and glasses earned their place in our list.

13. Princess Leia’s dress from Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope

Of course, this list could not leave out this classic outfit. Princess Leia, played by Carrie Fisher, is one of the most beloved and remembered characters of this sci-fi classic. Her particular hairstyle and her white dress are, without a doubt, true modern symbols.

14. The Joker’s purple suit from Batman: The Dark Knight

For many people, The Dark Knight is the best Batman movie of all time, and truth to be told, it does score 9.0 on IMDb. It’s actually one of the top rated movies on the site. But let’s not forget that the Joker, played by Heath Ledger, was just as important as Batman in this movie. His performance was brilliant and earned him a posthumous Oscar in the Best Supporting Actor category. The character’s insane costume is undoubtedly another icon of cinema and pop culture.

15. Marylin Monroe’s silk dress in Some Like It Hot

Even though Marilyn Monroe was pregnant during the filming of Some Like It Hot, she donned some surprisingly revealing outfits. Designed by Orry-Kelly, these costumes were so daring for the era that the film was even banned in certain regions — but that didn’t stop Orry-Kelly from winning an Academy Award for his work.

One standout piece was a close-fitting, nude-colored silk cocktail dress that almost mimicked her skin. Without the strategically placed sequins, it might not have passed censorship. A playful heart-shaped embroidery on the back added a charming touch. According to Tony Curtis, Orry-Kelly achieved the dress’s perfectly sensual fit by literally sewing Monroe into it.

No matter how much filmmakers aim for historical accuracy, costume mistakes still slip into movies. From anachronistic fashion trends to fabrics and cuts that didn’t exist in the period, even the most meticulously researched films can feature wardrobe inaccuracies.