Flowers are synonymous with beauty and femininity, so it makes perfect sense that movie costumes that use floral are super lovely.
This is a ranked list of floral costumes from modern set movies, which are ranked by aesthetics, memorability and how well they suit the character/film. Undergarments, cover-ups, sleepwear, outerwear, swimwear etc are not included, but in some instances, especially on this list, a matching outerwear was added.
Costumes should have more than just a few rosettes or trim. The florals should be either an all over print ie. embroidery, paint, beading or woven into the fabric and should have some visual contrast against the main fabric, we should see that the focus are the flowers or leaves or other botanicals like fruits.
Floral costumers from Period and Fantasy/Sci-fi movies are also not included, as they have their own respective ranking lists. Also I didn’t want to cross-reference with other costumes on other list so some costumes might not be list or got moved. Also while I do try and be objective as I can, my own subjective do contribute.
List is subject to change.
Spoilers!
10. Carrie from Sex and the City Movie (2008)
Designer: Patricia Fields
Following the HBO series the first movie of Sex and the City sees Carries (Sarah Jessica Parker) moving in with her boyfriend and getting married, however drama ensues.
Much like the series the fashions the ladies wears is considered a fifth member. While there are many floral outfits, it’s Carries green on green flower patterned strapless dress with complimentary jacket that makes this list. The look is very much in Carries’s style as it’s playful, exuberant, and bold. The combination of differing green piece that both have different types of flower is surprising and works very well.
She pairs with it her signature studded belt and and an Eiffel Tower purse.
Shout-out to Carries’s red rose vintage dress with the peplum and Charlotte’s black and white dress with the yellow flowers
9. Mona Lisa from My Cousin Vinny (1992)
Designer: Carol Wood
This maybe considered a conversionary pick as the pattern has been liken to a granny’s couch but Mona Lisa (Marisa Tomei) is an under-appreciated fashion icon.
Her style is a great example of early 90s New York style and is similar to Fran Drescher’s fashion icon character Fran Fine from The Nanny. So if this floral pattern is take from a grandma’s couch, she must have been very trendy lady at one point in time.
Mona Lisa’ floral jumpsuit has a subdue color pallet against a black ground. The sleeves are 3/4 length and the legs are long but this off-set by and open back.
8. Rose from Ocean’s 8 (2018)
Designer: Dolce and Gabbana
Part of the Ocean’s franchise, Ocean’s Eight features an all female crew, set on stealing a priceless diamonds from a necklace during the MET gala.
As part of the plan they need a fashion designer who is disgraced and Rose (Helena Bonham Carter) fits the bill.
As part of the effort to blend in with the rest of the gala, Rose wears a white gown with a floral motif. The look suits Rose 1950s aesthetic and is part of Dolce and Gabbana couture collection, Alta Mode collection.
7. Gilda from Gilda (1946)
Designer: Jean Louis
Gilda (Rita Hayworth) is one of the iconic femme fatale, though she is not the fatal type, she’s chaotic, dangerous and desirable. She also carries the movie and gets many iconic movie moments.
After running away from Buenos Aries, she takes a job at nightclub. While it’s not the hair flip or “Put the Blame on Mame” number, her performance of “Amado Mio” is still memorable.
Her costume is a white long sleeved two piece outfit with an exposed midriff and stylish structured shoulders. The design pattern is beaded gold gingko looking motif all over the skirt and the top. The skirt has a long slit and the back of the top is open making for a very sultry and glamorous look.
6. Lisa from Rear Window (1954)
Designer: Edith Head
While recovering from a leg injury, professional photographer, Jeff, watches the tenants neighboring building from the rear window of his apartment. His girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) is a socialite who wears glorious examples of mid- 1950s fashion.
As Jeff watches he suspects one of the tenants murder his wife. During the climax of the movie Lisa wears a white sleeveless dress with white sheer overlay with a gold floral print.
The dress though it’s casual for her it’s still completely her style as it’s chic, cool and effortless.
5. Schatze from How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Designer: Travilla
How to Marry a Millionaire is a screwball comedy that follows three models who are all hoping to marry rich however like any great screwball comedy hijinks ensue. Schatze (Lauren Becall) is the resourceful no-nonsense one of the group who is set on marrying for money and not love.
Working as a model in a store, she models a dreamy afternoon tea dress. The pattern is a light floral in pinks and blues. The flowers look like hydrangeas. The neckline is sheer is draped to be lower in the back
4. Rachel from Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
3. Molly from Uptown Girls (2003)
Designer: Bluemarine
Uptown Girls was marketed as a upbeat fun movie but really the film has deeper message of grief and trauma through eyes of very unserious shiftless adult and super serious eight year old girl.
At beginning of the movie Molly (Brittany Murphy) is celebrating her birthday meets Ray, young girl in the bathroom. Molly’s party dress is a spring 2002 Bluemarine slip dress. The main color is a nude taupe color which perfectly off- sets the colorful pink flowers, leaves and fan details.
It have an effortless fun fairy-like quality which suits Molly.
2. Jo from Funny Face (1957)
Designer: Givenchy
After an impromptu photoshoot at the bookstore where she works, Jo (Audrey Hepburn) becomes a fashion model though as only a means to go to Paris to meet her intellectual ideal.
During a photoshoot montage, Jo wears a series of gorgeous dresses. One of these costumes is a gray off-the shoulder tea length gown. The gown is decorated with white roses on the bodice and the full skirt. The shoot likens this scene to a fairy tale which very well with the romantic nature of the gown.
Shout-out to her yellow floral tea dress that is shown very briefly during the montage. Also Hepburn’s Givenchy gown from Sabrina was ALMOST recategorized for this list but seems better suited to a different list.
1. Princess Mia from The Princess Diaries (2001)
Designer: Gary Jones
Very loosely based on the novel by Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries is a comedic coming-of-age story. It centers around a shy and clumsy American teenager Mia (Anne Hathaway) who is really a Princess and next in line to the throne.
Throughout the movie it’s up in the air whether or not she will step-up an assume her role but at the end of the movie she delivers a speech and solidifies her role. After this there is a ball to celebrate.
Her ballgown is white strapless a-line gown. The gown has a delicate all over gold beaded flower pattern. This costume blends Mia’s youthful and new regal status perfectly which is the total sum of her character growth throughout this charming movie
