Underrated Fashion Movies That Deserved More Hype

But somehow they live in the shadows.

POSTED 07.05.26 07:33 BY ANNMARY MAILYAN

When thinking about fashion movies, a few titles instantly come to mind: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Clueless, Funny Face, Pretty Woman, and many others. But not every good film in this genre gets to become iconic like these. Some stay in the shadow not because they lack strong visuals but because, for some reason, they didn’t get the same level of attention, which isn’t really fair. So, as a fan of both cinema and fashion, I feel like it’s my duty to highlight these underrated movies that delivered equally memorable style moments.

After the Ball (2015)

Katie Kassel is the daughter of a famous designer, trying to follow in her father’s footsteps. Things take a turn when she argues with him and gets fired from the family business. That’s when Katie decides to create an alter ego, Nate, to re-enter Kassel and prove her worth. It’s a lovely rom-com filled with family drama, romance, good humor, and, of course, strong fashion moments. I loved how they portrayed the contrast between creating safe, yet unremarkable clothes and adding personality to the pieces, making them truly stand out.

Honestly, it’s surprising this film didn’t gain more attention, as it had real potential.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)

The story follows Mrs. Ada Harris, who decides to chase her dream and travel to Paris to buy the Dior dress she always wanted. Imagine her awe when she finds herself at a Dior fashion show, suddenly immersed in the world of haute couture. It’s one of those warm, feel-good movies with a meaningful message about dreaming big, believing in yourself, and staying kind. By the way, this is actually the third adaptation of the 1958 novel. And while each film is definitely worth watching, the 2022 one easily became my favorite.

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

At first glance, Rebecca Bloomwood’s life seems like every fashion lover’s dream. She lives in New York, spends her free time shopping, has an impressive wardrobe, and hopes to work at a fashion magazine. But things aren’t so perfect as they seem: Rebecca struggles with compulsive shopping and mounting debt. When she suddenly lands a job as a financial columnist and joins Shopaholics Anonymous, she slowly starts to rethink her priorities, realizing there’s more to life than chasing the next outfit.

Cruella (2021)

Cruella is the film that doesn’t even need an introduction. And I know what you’re thinking: having it on this list doesn’t really make sense, since it was a huge success. But hear me out. Sure, it’s not underrated in the traditional sense, but I have 2 reasons for adding it here. First, after its peak of popularity, everyone seems to have forgotten about it, which is honestly a shame. Second, people don’t usually consider it a fashion movie, focusing more on Cruella’s backstory. And while that part was interesting, I enjoyed the fashion storyline just as much. I love how her growing self-confidence is mirrored in her bold and peculiar looks.

Bratz: The Movie (2007)

If you ever feel nostalgic about those fun high school years and '00s outfits, this is definitely the movie to watch. It follows four best friends with a shared passion for fashion, who, after entering high school, have to stand up against the forced clique system. Bratz were the ultimate style dolls back in the '00s—sorry, Barbie—but for some reason, the movie didn’t meet expectations. And even if this isn’t the most successful teenage movie of that period, its Y2K wardrobe moments—bold colors, layering, and statement accessories—remain iconic to this day. Plus, I couldn’t possibly leave it out, because it shaped my taste in fashion during my early teenage years.

Check out my Fizzypicks to find pieces that will make you feel like the main character of a fashion movie.

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