Winter Watchlist: It girl (fashion) films you MUST watch

Cinema is a true art and one that quite often feels under-appreciated.

After a long day at work, on a flight, spending quality time with loved ones. The list is endless but a film is almost always involved, often being bonded to particular memories or people.

There is such a power transcended through cinema that no other media can produce, and as we delve into the Winter months I want to share some of my favourite fashion oriented films that you should watch this Winter!

Coco before Chanel

Before the double C’s became a symbol of elegance, there was Gabrielle – ambitious, headstrong, and unafraid to challenge the corseted norms of her time. Coco Before Chanel is a masterclass in minimalist rebellion, chronicling how a seamstress with an opinion turned simplicity into power. 

Every muted tone and clean line in the film feels intentional, like a slow move toward liberation. This isn’t just a fashion biopic; it’s the origin story of Miss Chanel herself, and where she got her unique and understated confidence.

The Holiday 

When life unravels, swap your postcode, possessions, and even your brother. The Holiday is a cinematic warm hug – equal parts Nancy Meyers interior design fantasy and cashmere-laden escapism.

Although not exclusively a fashion film the knitwear speaks for itself! From Cameron Diaz’s icy LA chic to Kate Winslet’s cosy English countryside knits, it’s the definition of a “feel good film” and one of my favourite ever films. 

It’s about heartbreak, healing, and the kind of self-reinvention that starts with a good coat and a plane ticket. I can attest to that from an avid plane ticket purchaser myself. 

The Dressmaker

If revenge is best served cold, The Dressmaker proves it’s even better when served haute couture. Kate Winslet plays ‘Tilly’ a disgraced seamstress returning from the glamour of Paris to her small, scandal-ridden Australian town armed with a sewing machine and an immaculate wardrobe. 

Very Dior esque silhouettes, in a desert environment, paired with a touch of madness. This film is bold, funny, and unapologetic,  a reminder that transformation, in life or in fashion, often comes with drama.

House of Gucci 

Camp, chaos, and couture – House of Gucci delivers all three in unapologetic abundance. 

Lady Gaga’s Patrizia Reggiani struts through betrayal, murder, and Milanese boardrooms with an accent as sharp as her tailoring (How is she good at everything?!?!) 

And as for fashion… Pure excess: fur, leather, and gold dripping from every frame. But beneath the spectacle lies a darkly fascinating tale about ego, ambition, and the dangerous allure of legacy. It’s proof that money buys luxury, but not class, and definitely not loyalty. A lesson that even with family once money is involved things change. 

Love Actually 

The ultimate British comfort film, as we can all attest to! It just has a cosy characteristic to it, watching Love Actually is like wearing a wool coat in December. Love Actually isn’t even a “fashion film”, but the outfits can spark a debate, oozing early-2000s charm with chunky knits, velvet blazers, and timeless London energy.

Jamie & Aurélia

It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to devour an excessively decorated hot chocolate in an impractical Santa mug. Amid all the overlapping love stories, it reminds us that love, like personal style, isn’t always perfect – but it’s always worth the risk. 

My favourite love story of the film is Jamie and Aurélia who fall in love despite not even speaking the same language, it reminds me each and every time that love can come in many forms, and is rarely perfect - yet is always worth it.

The Devil wears Prada

No list of fashion films is complete without The Devil Wears Prada. It is a true classic! Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly is the icy, immaculately dressed deity of the fashion world,  terrifying, brilliant, and oddly inspiring.

Anne Hathaway’s Andy lived the life aspired to by many, making a hellish internship look like heaven, stumbling through Runway’s glossy corridors in cerulean sweaters and Chanel boots, learning that ambition often comes with a dry cleaning bill and lots of coffee runs. 

Beyond the iconic one-liners and impossible stilettos, it’s really a story about power, and what it takes to get there. Finding your own voice in a world that demands perfection.

(The teaser for The Devil Wears Prada 2 just came out - premiering May 1, 2026!!!) 

The Intern

Fashion may evolve, but style and grace are timeless. The Intern pairs Anne Hathaway’s driven and always impeccably dressed CEO with Robert De Niro’s old-school intern, creating an unexpected duo that’s as heartwarming as it is stylish. 

The film’s aesthetic is modern minimalism done right: silk blouses, tailored trousers, and subtle confidence. Beneath the soft lighting and tech start-up gloss, it’s a story about purpose, mentorship, and how reinvention doesn’t have an age limit.

This shot is SO iconic!!!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

I mean as if i could make this list without putting in Breakfast at Tiffany’s!!!! Before influencer culture, there was the original It Girl. Breakfast at Tiffany’s isn’t just a movie; it’s an aesthetic education. 

Audrey Hepburn’s black Givenchy dress, pearls, and oversized sunglasses remain the blueprint for effortless chic and a classic piece of fashion history at that. But beneath the polished exterior is a complex woman chasing connection in a city that celebrates independence. It’s a delicate mix of glamour and melancholy – proof that the most stylish people are often the most human. 

Audrey redefined elegance with a croissant and a cat. Still the ultimate mood board for anyone who knows that style and sadness can coexist beautifully. A lot of people can relate to that I’m sure. 

to have friends like this is a true blessing

Sex and the City - The Movie

If fashion had a religion, Sex and the City would be its scripture. Every outfit - from Carrie’s tutu to Samantha’s power suits, tells a story of friendship, freedom, and fabulousness. 

It’s a world where heartbreak can be healed by girls brunch and a new pair of Manolo's, and where self-expression is the ultimate accessory. More than just a show about clothes, it’s about identity - how what we wear reflects who we are becoming. Sex and the City always reminds me of the importance of good friends and an equally good shoe. 

(I watch Sex and the City when I feel behind in life to remind myself I’m still 13 years younger than Carrie Bradshaw in Season 1 of SATC!!!) 

The importance of Cinema 

In a world that rarely slows down, films like these are non-negotiable! Reminding us to pause and relax, whether it's a Christmas classic, a fashion icon or a touch of fantasy.  

Cinema, like fashion, lets us explore identities, eras, and emotions we might never live firsthand. Whether it’s Chanel’s innovation, Carrie’s chaos, or even Miranda Priestley's powerful assertion, each film offers a little escapism. 

So this winter, give yourself permission to indulge - I’m starting with The Holiday! 

With love, 

Mimi x