While modern movies are now, understandably, advocates for being yourself and not changing for anyone, there was a time when film culture was rife with the classic “makeover scene”.
For better or for worse, some of the best rom-coms of the 80s, 90s and early noughties featured lead characters being entirely transformed, from their hair to their wardrobes.
And while marie claire also advocates for authenticity, body positivity and looking beyond the surface, for the fashion lovers amongst us, these classic makeover scenes were an absorbing exercise in costume design, styling and makeup brilliance.
So for that reason alone, let’s reflect on the most transformational fashion scenes in cinematic history (and, while you’re at, it check out the 30 most fashionable films ever made here).
Moonstruck
In her Oscar-winning role in this 1987 rom-com, Cher plays a woman who transforms from a dowdy housewife into a full-blown glamazon, after falling for her fiancé’s younger brother (played by Nicholas Cage).
Grease
Tired of being the good girl, Sandy (played by Olivia Newton-John in a career-defining role) waits until the end of this iconic musical to ditch her ponytail for a perm and her sweet sundresses for a black bodysuit, bringing Danny (John Travolta) to his knees.
The Devil Wears Prada
One of the best fashion films of the last several decades also happens to have one of the ultimate fashion transformations too. Anne Hathaway plays Andy Sachs, a smart journalist who lands a job at Runway magazine (AKA Vogue), despite being completely disinterested in fashion, and is subjected the brutality and snide remarks of her extremely difficult boss, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). Faced with a sink or swim situation, Andy decides to raid the Runway fashion closet and score herself an all-new, industry-approved wardrobe, along with some seriously chic bangs.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
When we first meet Toula (Nia Vardalos), she’s unmarried and working in her family’s Greek restaurant. But when she meets Ian, she decides to entirely overhaul her life, much to the excitement and behest of her large Greek family, trading her collection of brown cardigans for elegant LBDs.
Miss Congeniality
One of the all-time great makeover movies, this hilarious comedy/action flick follows Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock), an FBI agent with no time or energy for fashion and beauty, who’s forced to go undercover at a beauty pageant … as a competitor.
Crazy, Stupid Love
When his wife has an affair and asks him for a divorce, Cal Weaver becomes completely lost. That is, until Jacob Palmer (played by Ryan Gosling) takes pity on him and takes him to the mall for a shopping spree, transforming him from daggy dad to suave singleton.
The Princess Diaries
There are few characters more lovable than Mia Thermopolis, the high school student-turned-princess played by Anne Hathaway. After Mia, who regularly complains she feels “invisible”, receives her royal title following her father’s death, she’s given a royal wardrobe and beauty makeover to match. People like to highlight her final gown-and-tiara look, but we think this incredible transformation is all in that flawless blow wave.
Pretty Woman
“Big mistake. Huge!” Who could forget those iconic words from Julia Roberts’ character in this 90s hit after she was denied service from the snooty shop assistants of Rodeo Drive, only to return with Richard Gere’s credit card and a completely new look? Vivian’s transformation from a sultry sex worker in a blonde wig to a high-fashion icon is unforgettable and so much fun to watch.
My Fair Lady
The original and arguably the best of the makeover movies, this classic starred Audrey Hepburn as a Cockney working glass girl plucked from the streets of London by a phonetics professor determined to prove he can turn anyone an upper-class lady. Her transformation from unintelligible flower vendor Eliza Doolittle, into an immaculately dressed and well-spoken socialite was breathtaking (and very moving).
