Horror is a much more expansive genre than you'd think at first. It's not all jump scares, demons, haunted houses, or psychological thrillers. Much like taffy, it can be stretched into whatever a writer/director desires it to be and present a dozen elemental factors as well as underlying messages.

Fashion often looks back to horror and gothic eras for inspiration as seen and widely revered in the many collections by Alexander McQueen prior to his passing in 2010. Being a huge fan of his work, but a scaredy-cat nonetheless, I thought it would be a fun idea to compile a list of horror films (some more frightening than others) that had me lusting over fashion long enough to keep me from cowering away from the screen.




The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

I often wonder if steampunk was born out of Rocky Horror because is there anything more iconic than the leather-clad corsets and fishnets combo Frank-N-Furter is most known for? This cult classic has inspired all things queer across the board and to this day shadow plays are done weekly in its honor.


The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Cher, Michelle Pfieffer, and Susan Sarandon as witches with big perms and every level of the '80s best from padded power suits to body contouring gowns and muscle tees. Although I was born nine years later, I''m almost certain this film birthed me.


The Craft (1996)

Nancy Downs is one of the last century's biggest goth girl crushes and wow have her style choices stood the test of time. What I wouldn't give to steal her collection of chokers and ornate cross necklaces. Don't even get me started on the boots. Forget Regina George's clan, this is the clique I wanna be a part of.


Jennifer's Body (2009)

From the second the trailer dropped already ten years ago, I was sold. Megan Fox, I bow to you. You won. Hot popular girl becomes home for demon possession and gets eerily hotter because she's eating boys for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yeah, sign me up. Finding any semblance of that pink heart-patterned hoodie or fighting the urge to turn a white puffer jacket bloody for the sake of worshipping Queen Jennifer breaks my heart even in 2020.


Helter Skelter (2012)

This is my absolute favorite psychological horror film to date and it's also one of the most visually alluring to boot. Erika Sawajiri is captivating in picture-perfect lingerie and ball gowns, but all the more tantalizing masking bloody eyes with bejeweled eye patches and even stumbling in conveniently garment-like bandages post-surgery.


Death Becomes Her (1992)

Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn as rich women who drink a potion that makes them immortal and absolutely glamorous. If the collarbone and cleavage-baring dresses and hair envy weren't enough, Isabella Rossellini in couture collars and halter made entirely of beading with nothing underneath are nails in my coffin.


Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

Although the television series is preferred, the original silver screen Buffy was still a major babe with her cheerleading uniforms, crop tops, and one gorgeous ode to Swan Lake for her prom dress. Whoever started the trend of vampires in leather jackets deserves a peace prize too.


Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (2005)

Geumja getting out of prison and swiping on that red eyeshadow plus trading up her previous good-girl wardrobe for looks that kill is the femme fatale trope I live for. One of Park Chan-Wook's absolute best works.


Addams Family Values (1993)

Morticia Addams is shrine-worthy in terms of fashion in horror. She is a pioneer of elegance and goth velour. The mother of all cheekbones.


The Witches (1990)

Yes, Anjelica Huston gets not one but two entries on my list. Even as a grotesque creature the drip never ceases. Look at those rings over satin gloves. That amethyst cape. Can we bring back capes?


The Lost Boys (1987)

If men today took pointers from this film and incorporated the absolute serves these vamps pulled into their daily lives, the world might be a better place. Embroidered jackets over crop tops, oversize blazers, floor-length velvet coats, and beautifully coiffed hair? Yeah, we need this to make a huge comeback.


Scream (1996)

An entire Moschino collection was modeled after this film. What a classic. I need Rose McGowan's whole knit top and plaid skirt number in my closet this instant.


The Love Witch (2016)

Whatever Anna Biller concocted to take this film back 50 years was witchcraft itself. Elaine's like a fever dream as the lovestruck turned murderous witch donning immaculate cat eyes and a wardrobe full of heartbreaking attire.


Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

All hail the 15th-century and Victorian-era opulence. It's almost hard to watch without drooling over Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves being in a single frame together but once you pay attention it's just an aesthetically-pleasing overload. Personal fave is Gary Oldman out on the town when his eyes turn blood red underneath a top hat and those currently very trendy tiny sunglasses.


The Neon Demon (2016)

The Western answer to Japan's Helter Skelter may have been lackluster in its script, but delivered tenfold in both cinematography and an outstanding wardrobe and makeup turnout. Elle Fanning is the picture of innocence and those doe eyes are capable of deadly deceit.


In Fabric (2018)

The entire film centers around one seemingly demonic red dress that terrorizes anyone who wears it or even so much as comes into contact with it. It's truly stunning to watch as much as it is anxiety-inducing as each new victim brings the anticipation of whatever peril awaits them.


Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)

Laura Mars is a photographer who notoriously captures hypersexualized and violent images but one day finds herself seeing through the eyes of a serial killer. Most of the fashion stems from her shoots but it's so worth it, especially to see the way her perspective changes as the plot progresses.


Blood and Black Lace (1964)

The Italian neo-noir touch inspires a captivating visual experience and it's stylistically one of my favorites of the '60s. Set in a fashion salon in Rome, models are stalked and killed by a masked mystery man who looks an awful lot like Watchmen's Rorschach. 


Suspiria (2018)

Yes, the 1977 original is superior, but a great amount of the remake is extremely editorial and as absurdly creepy as Tilda Swinton in head-to-toe prosthetics is, I suffer through for the sake of art.


Jawbreaker (1999)

Although this is marked down as dark comedy, there's a murder and killer clothes so I don't really care to stick to rules. Rose McGowan in this and many of her other '90s films could definitely be categorized as a fashion icon with a myriad of pastel skirt sets, risque mini dresses, and the ability to turn any ordinary object into a runway accessory.