29 Bollywood Movies that Changed Indian Fashion

Bollywood and fashion go hand in hand. Come to think of it, they both have massively influenced each other. Fashion has always given the characters of Bollywood a distinguished definition, and Bollywood has inspired many fashion trends; be it wedding attires or casual outfits and has been doing so since forever. The audiences have looked up to actors for fashion and personal inspirations.

While certain fashion trends are evergreen, the other tends to repeat itself every 10 years, which is why Anarkalis are still an ongoing trend. The trendsetters often visit the past to revive the old idea with a little modern twist.

Bollywood has been influencing fashion since its early days. While the 50s was about the dapper suits and sarees with pearl necklaces, the 60s was about vibrant colors, winked eyeliners and fringes. Which is in trend currently as well?

Here are some specific trends that have been set in motion by the movies:

1. Mughal-E-Azam

One of the most iconic movies of all times gave us one of the most iconic trends which seem is here to stay. Mughal-E-Azam, the epic Indian historical love story between the price and court dancer gave the fashion industry the most iconic ethnic wear. Anarkali (Madhubala), the talented dancer, wore the outfit in the song Jab Pyaar Kiya toh Darna Kya justifying the name of the outfit after the character.

2. Waqt

Sadhana’s hugging Churidar in the movie got popular amongst the young generation and is praised till date. Ladies enjoy wearing the evergreen Churidar of all the colors flaunting their body curves, and why not?

3. An Evening In Paris

Sharmila Tagore’s swimsuit was ragging success after her movie An Evening in Paris where she wore a one piece. Moreover, her Filmfare cover; the first ever bikini shoot covered, was the talk of the town when it was released. Her bold move then had open gates for women and started a trend that still exists.

4. Brahmachari

The one and only Mumtaz inspire the great retro look that we create for parties. In her song Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke, she transformed the way of wrapping saree and creating her fashion. The song and the saree were sensational and unstoppable.

5. Hare Rama Hare Krishna

Zeenat Aman is known in Bollywood for her boldness. So there would have been no better than her to introduce the hippie culture and bell bottom pants to the industry. Hare Rama Hare Krishna, directed and starring Dev Anand, is a story about brother-sister duo and a tale of a modern family. Zeenat Aman’s character Jasbir is grown by in Montreal, hence bringing the western look in Indian cinema and breaking the stereotype.

6. Bobby

 

 

Polka Dots are one of those evergreen trends that can e pulled off at every occasion. However, it would be difficult to pin down, how polka dots came into the limelight. It was through Dimple Kapadia and Rishi Kapoor’s Bobby, a modern-day Romeo Juliet with a twist and a different ending. Unlike the 60s, the 70s was more about crop tops and miniskirts, and we have Dimple Kapadia to thank for that. Her polka dots top and skirt were trendy then and are trendy now!

7. Shaan

 

 

Parveen Babi brought glitter to fashion with her stunning outfit in Pyaar Karne wale from Shaan. In the title track, she wore shimmer gown, which immediately became the light of every party.

8. Chandni

Sridevi and her exemplary style in Chandni won hearts all over the country. It was her who brought in the love for chiffon sarees and continued the same in Mr. India as well. Chandni was an epic love story of sacrifice which resonated with masses as did Sridevi’s style. After the movie, the demand for chiffon sarees was at the peak and seen around a lot.

9. Maine Pyaar Kiya

The brought back the polka dots as Bhagyashree wore it as a skirt. The famous “Friends” cap and the leather jacket worn by Salman Khan got accessible from the movie.

10. Hum Aapke Hai Kaun!

The very stylish Madhuri Dixit wore the backless blouse in the film with a saree. Alongside her, starring Salman Khan, who not only did wore the suspenders differently but the three-piece suit caught everyone’s attention as well. The pair set a revolution in motion in terms of fashion and dance.

11. Rangeela

The 90s college girls were solely inspired by Urmila’s fashion in Rangeela. Her Denim shirts with skirts or colorful pants created a sporty look for the girls to be comfortable in. Rangeela had an impact on the crowd, storywise as well as fashion-wise. The fashion trend set by the movie was hard to beat.

12. Dil To Pagal Hai

We got Manish Malhotra’s idea of sporty look in Rangeela, but we saw the full-blown idea in Dil to Pagal hai when he styled Karishma Kapoor. The movie is about passion for dance, stage, and love. The madness of Athleisure grew with this movie, which continues today.

13. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

 

Jumpsuits, Bob cuts, body tight polo t-shirts, and colorful friendship bands are to name a few trends that were seen being adopted by masses after the movie. KKHH was a sensational movie that connected with the audience so much that the country replicated every fashion possible from the film.

14. Mohabbatein

The dynamic duo of very talented Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were paired in the movie. SRK, the trendsetter who is a professor in the film, has a nerdy look. The high-neck polo sweaters over the shirts with specks made the girls go gaga! While beautiful Aishwarya brought back the chiffon sarees in pastel colors. A pastel version of Chandni, perhaps?

15. Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai did not only highlight the Goa trip we all want to go on with our friends, but also made Leather pants a hype. The movie inspired the crazy party clothing for the clubs in early 2000. It was all about the urban chic fashion and contemporary art, which was the highlight of the 2000s.

16. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

Pooh’s backless or Pooja’s Sharara, take a pick! K3G, was a classic family drama movie with so many fashion tips. The traditional heavy Sarees or the Band Gala suit worn by Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in the movie caught everyone’s eyes. We all know, magic happens when Manish and Karan work together. Hallelujah!

17. Bunty Aur Babli

Do a collared kurta, Patiala and a jhola ring a bell? Well, it should! Rani Mukherjee, in her mischievous love story with Abhishek Bachchan, wore the attire only so every single girl could adopt it. Her non-dupatta look got famous real quick real soon.

18. Parineeta

Vidya Balan’s very first movie was one of the classiest trendsetters. Based on the novel written in 1914, Parineeta had picked up a few fashion trends from the era and created a beautiful fusion with modern fashion. Sticking to the authenticity, Balan wore full-selves blouses and suits which were later adopted by the ladies keeping it simple and beautiful.

19. Dhoom 2 (2006):

Chiseled abs, bikini tops, micro minis, sun-kissed hair, latex bodysuits, together brought the fashion in Dhoom 2. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s style was most talked in the movie with her knee-length boots and bikini in play. The boots are still going strong till today.

20. Jab We Met (2007): T-shirts with Patiala salwar pants

This was not long ago when Kareena’s dialogues got famous as well as her Patiala Salwar pants with Tshirts. The casual attire got so prominent that every college girl was seen wearing one. Moreover, Kareena’s outfit in the song, Nagada was another traditional hit. She was the first to wear, a suit-salwar with no matching color combinations, which was a fashion statement of its own.

21. Dostana

Karan Johar’s magic is visible in the movie even though he just produced the movie. Dostana, the romantic comedy movie was way ahead of its time and trying to break the stereotypes. The film was excellent in terms of fashion. Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s no jewelry look was iconic and hard not to follow, but more than that, the song ‘Desi Girl’ got the low-waist golden saree the appreciation it deserved. One of the highlights of the 2000s fashion.

22. Wake up Sid!

Laidback lazy Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Sid was probably the most relatable character for any college going student. His fashion resonated with the audience so much that everyone made an extra effort to look for perfect graphic t-shirts to wear to college.

23. Aisha

The fashion icon Sonam Kapoor practically lived herself while playing Aisha in the movie Aisha. Her sister Rhea produces the film, and that should be ‘Rheson’ enough to understand the high fashion trends move had. The movie introduced the high fashion brands, not that the Indian audience wasn’t aware of them, but it pushed us a little closer to them.

24. Cocktail 2012

Deepika has started countless fashion trends in her time in Bollywood, but more than her, we need to thank Anaita Shroff Adajania for styling her in Cocktail and starting the rage of Aztec prints and Coachella-esque outfits. Moreover, the famous t-shirt knot was an impulsive decision by Anita as per one of Deepika’s interview. That’s the kind of impulse everyone would love to have!

25. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

One of the best onscreen pair is undoubtedly Ranbir and Deepika. In the movie, they followed different styles, given the film leaps forward a few years. In the first half of the movie yeh jawaani hai deewani, Ranbir’s Leather Jacket caught everyone’s attention. And during the second half, Deepika’s dark blue chiffon Saree became a party trend.

26. 2 States

Alia Bhatt has her own style but was seen to bring back the long skirt era, which was created by Preity Zinta in her movie Lakshya. The movie was simple bringing simple and subtle trends back in action.

27. Khoobsurat

Sonam Kapoor is known for her style. And very simply she looked stunning in the dhoti-pant she got trending from Khoobsurat. Her distinguished fashion in the movie was catchy and caught attention quickly.

28. Dil Dhadakne Do

Dil Dhadakne Do is an upper-class family drama film. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the movie is full of trendy fashion. Priyanka Chopra Jonas stood out in terms of style. Though there was no specific kind of trend that was picked out from the film, there was definitely a sense of style that was trending post movie. The summerish dapper suits and vibrant colors in seen a lot post the movie was released.

29. Piku

Once again, Deepika Padukone in her Bengali girl avatar in Piku brought the unexpected fashion trend. Her ill-fitted kurta with vegetable prints with a palazzo was a big hit and is still seen around.

Bollywood and Fashion have complemented each other for a very long time, not just in terms of clothing but other fashion trends as well. Be it  Sadana’s fringe more popularly called as Sadhana cut from Love in Shimla to Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘cool’ necklace in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The trends are never-ending.