Since Elle put all those gorgeous Glee and American Horror Story actors in a horror-inspired fashion spread, I’ve been thinking of horror movie style. Contrary to my initial thoughts that perhaps clothes aren’t always noticed in scary movies, I remembered how many iconic styles were inspired from classic horror movie characters. And since we’re not Elle, and can’t suggest that Chanel suit to look like Tippi Hedren in The Birds, I’ve added some Internet finds to help you emulate your favorite scream queen. 



Go For Brocade Dress, $184.99 from ModCloth

1. Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1954). Grace Kelly and her outfits in this movie are all sorts of swoonworthy. Edith Head, the costume designer for the film, was legendary — she costumed everything from Sunset Boulevard to Roman Holiday. Grace’s character in Rear Window is a Park Avenue society girl who wears gorgeous dresses just to visit her photographer boyfriend who is stuck in a wheelchair for six weeks. With her perfectly coiffed hair, and pearls — always pearls! — she looked divine every time she was on screen. Now, the dress above isn’t exactly the same, but if you need a party dress to evoke the same icy classiness of Grace, this is the one. (And it looks great with pearls.) I mean, we can’t all walk around in lace ballgowns! Though, if you haven’t seen this movie, you have to watch it just to see Grace walk around in the dress above. Like I said, swoon.

Dusk Flurries Coat, $124.99 from ModCloth

2. Audrey Hepburn in Wait Until Dark (1967). In this classic thriller, Audrey plays a blind women beset by intruders in her house! It’s seriously creepy; it’s one of the main reasons I still get a little scared when I hear a creak in the house even though I know I’m alone. Audrey wears this great trench coat that has a lot of detail (check out the close-up in the gallery!), and an updated version is just as classy and svelte as Audrey herself. Pair it with some textured tights and knee-high boots — just watch out for stalkers!


Linen One-Button Blazer, $88.00 from Nordstrom


3. Tippi Hedren in The Birds (1963). Another cool blond — one of Hitchcock’s trademarks. She dons a pale green suit for most of the movie, and it’s become iconic to the point that everyone from Jodie Foster to Jayma Mays has done a photoshoot impersonating her character! How to update? Get minty with the green and try this preppy blazer. Pair with a white shift dress and gold bangles for that perfect spring day in a couple of months. The birds won’t be able to resist! Also — doesn’t Tippi’s suit look reminiscent of Grace’s own in Rear Window?

Pixie Peter Pan Sleeveless Dress, $63.63 from Asos

4. Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby (1968). Mia spent a majority of her horror-filled time in a nightgown and maternity dresses, but the movie still showed off something that’s trendy even today: collared dresses. No need to be pregnant to take a note from the tortured lass’ flowy wardrobe, this collard shift dress updates the look for modern times. If you really want to get into the glamorous side of her character, however, I’d suggest snipping your hair into the perfect pixie cut (as seen in the gallery below). 

Chevron Occasion Dress, $44.99 from ModCloth

5. Jessica Harper in Suspiria (1977). If you haven’t seen Suspiria, get on it quick since it’s on its way for a remake! Plus, it was another movie featured in that Elle spread. Jessica’s character Suzy Bannion is an American ballet student who shows up at a prestigious, if somewhat ominous, ballet school in Europe. Let the freaky stuff ensue! She hangs out mostly in loose dresses over her leotard, and tons of scarves. Plus, this nearly Missoni-esque cardigan/bathrobe in a key scene. Get her layered ’70s look with this chevron dress. 

Check out our gallery for more of these vintage screen visions.

What do you think, Lovelies? Is there a horror movie character’s style you admire that’s not listed here? (I almost included Catherine Deneuve in Repulsion!) Would you try any of these looks? 

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