Clueless is a coming-of-age film set in the United States, focusing on the character of Cher, a visually appealing, fashion-forward, amiable, and well-liked young woman living in Beverly Hills during the mid-1990s. The film chronicles the protagonist’s journey of personal growth and self-discovery, as she through transformative life events, engages in love encounters, navigates social connections, and undergoes psychological development. Through these many experiences, the protagonist evolves from an uninformed and materialistic adolescent into a mindful and empathetic human with a well-rounded perspective. The film “Clueless” also highlights the portrayal of a fashionable and tightly-knit social circle, as the protagonist and her best friend, Dionne, welcome a new student into their social sphere. The film has garnered significant acclaim and affection for its enduring nineties aesthetic, which is widely regarded as timeless and often alluded to even in contemporary discourse. It is widely regarded as one of the finest adolescent films ever made, owing to its comedic elements, relatability, overall visual composition, and fashion choices.
The characters’ wardrobe choices effectively encapsulate and physically convey their identities, aspirations, and social affiliations. The film Clueless explores the role of style as more than simply a visual element, but rather as a means of expressing the depth of an individual’s identity and social status. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced throughout the period of adolescence, as it is a crucial stage of growth. Consequently, every character, regardless of their significance, has a unique style that serves as an expression of their individuality, capturing their essence, demeanor, and social affiliation.
While the psychological changes associated with coming of age are a shared experience, the process of developing one’s social identity is unique to each individual. Creating a unique identity for ourselves is the primary goal of each human being. After that, we want to see ourselves mirrored in the wants of others around us. Because it is a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, Clueless is also one of the most timeless films in terms of its story, which captures this formative period in development and translates this on screen in a lighthearted way with a Hollywood ending, but which has withstood the test of time. The plot, which has deep cinematography with many classic looks and features numerous mirrored sequences and character equivalents trading off Regency Era England for 1990s Beverly Hills, remains engrossing because of its wit, its humor, and its focus on the human experience.
For instance, Cher’s tartan yellow Dolce and Gabbana set is the archetypal take of the decades’ aesthetic but does not capture the fashion of this era completely accurately. Murray wore Sean John to have a look more that matches Dionne’s and Christian was meant to have a vintage look reminiscent of the 1940s are other examples. More commonly, teenagers would have a look that was more try to Tai notes the costume designer who she dressed in Kurt Cobain-inspired grunge trends of the period. This is because grunge became cool due to pop culture and economic issues so high-end fashion wasn’t a common choice for them. Bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam were also a huge influence as they had the grunge look and were empowering through their music. As a result, they protested and made their own trend that became a huge part of pop culture. People wore distressed clothing, chokers, messy yet chic hair, flannel shirts, ripped jeans, combat boots, and high-top sneakers. The look of many minor characters and Tai initially has in the film.
On the opposite end of the spectrum with some overlap of looks, Kate Moss was huge during this time along with other supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and more were highly idolized. This fashion era is when clothing being created shifted from specific tailoring to mass production. Before people had their clothing fit to their bodies, this was when it began to be more of the norm that people change their bodies to fit the clothes. It’s a lot easier for designers to fit sample garments on people who have straighter measurements, that’s why model measurements exist. This became trendy as a lot of famous celebrities had this look, so many people who admired them strived to achieve the same look runway-esque look. Cher and Dionne fall more into this category, this is evident within Dionne’s love for avant-garde fashion and always sporting eye-catching looks while Cher turns to designers such as Alaïa, Calvin Klein (the dress in the film is actually an Anna Sui), and more.
Mona May states on this, “The plaid shirts and baggy pants, and girls looked so masculine. There was really none of the girliness. We wanted to change the trends and give permission to women to be girly. I couldn’t take that from what the teens were wearing, so I had to truly invent it. These girls were so wealthy that they themselves probably went to the runway shows and were able to really choose whatever they wanted, write down the number one outfit, the number five outfit, and the number six outfit, that they wanted to purchase. I had to think, how would they take items from the runways and really make it fit their world?”
Which she did more than 60 different outfit changes for Cher alone through an aesthetic produced by a mixture of designer and vintage pieces that would suit a fashion-conscious girl, but retain a girlish youthfulness that is fun and lighthearted. With inspiration from the 60s and ’70s, the costume designer created a color-feminine take on what nineties fashion could be and eventually led to a new wave of preppy minimalist looks that are now associated with the decade. The film helped make feminine fashion more beloved and embraced again, even still holding this sort of influence in today’s fashion as many see themselves and love the looks of the characters.
Buying behaviors are based on personal, social, cultural, and psychological factors that hold great influence in the decision-making process. This is such a pivotal role within the buying processes that concepts such as brand loyalty exist because it can become a very personal relationship. It’s important to keep in mind that not every buyer is driven by their own self-created belief system. There will always be a subset of customers who are more driven by influence and external factors such as trends, and social, or media influences. Their value system is more driven by the concept of belonging rather than self-identity.
Cher is a little naïve and shallow at the start of the film, but she grows into a nice friend and kind person who watches out for others around her. She places a great value on appearance and style and prioritizes them above her own well-being at times.
Cher’s off-the-runway inspired clothes reflect her wealthy background, yet she still manages to maintain a timeless quality and an air of innocence. Her gorgeous mother, glossy fashion magazines, and her desire to better herself via education have all contributed to her conclusion that this is a worthy goal, which has been corroborated by society at large. Friend jealous of me and my partner.
Dionne Dionne shares Cher’s middle-class upbringing and affluence, as well as some of Cher’s passions. They have a same sense of fashion and often match or complement one another’s ensembles. They also tend to like the same monochromatic ensembles, pleated miniskirts, and strong feminine hues.
Dionne, on the other hand, is more worldly and articulate than Cher and the other valley girls. Even though they’re close friends and part of the same social circle, one key distinction between them is their level of self-awareness. When compared to Cher’s modest yellow suit, Dionne’s appearances are considerably more adorned, and she may perform quite well in her plaid ensemble with a cropped red cardigan. Dionne wears a cap and adds polish with silver chains, hoops, and a nose ring, whereas Cher goes for a simpler outfit that stands out via a higher saturation of color and, by extension, her own unique style. Both are members of the same social circle and have some common acquaintances, but their individual styles set them apart.
This prompts Cher to make special efforts to include Tai. shopping excursions, exercises, lunch dates, and pampering routines with her.As their relationship deepens, the girls increasingly seek to one another for support and direction.
One’s social identity is shaped in part by the things they buy and the people with whom they surround themselves. An individual’s sense of identity is formed by how they fit in with the larger group. Personal style, including one’s choice of clothing, plays a role here since it shapes how others see one and may boost self-confidence and social standing. Complexity arises from the fact that each individual belongs to several social groups.
Example: Cher is a daughter, a best friend, a student, an adversary, etc. in her many social circles. Her style is universally appealing, appealing to many different demographics. Her style may transfer across roles, but it doesn’t always succeed.
An in-group is a social group that a person feels a strong sense of belonging to on a psychological and social-sociological level. An out-group, on the other hand, refers to a social group that a person does not belong to. Cher’s friends are the popular ones in Clueless. They may not all look the same, but their styles are essentially the same; what separates them is their unique combination of social identities, hobbies, and personalities.
The attire we choose to don conveys meaningful insights about our own identities and the principles we hold dear. Given that the majority of people are affiliated with a wider social group that has a unique identity, designers conscientiously consider this aspect while crafting garments that simultaneously shape and communicate the individual members’ identities to the external sphere. Some individuals may see this as motivating, while others may find it dull.
One may glean significant insights about an individual by observing their attire, a phenomenon that has particular relevance throughout the developmental stage of adolescence. This period is characterized by a quest for self-discovery and a search for one’s identity and social niche within society.
The film “Clueless” explores various configurations of female friendship groups and emphasizes the resilience of female connections.
While it is frequently observed that individuals with shared interests often exhibit similar fashion preferences, it is important to acknowledge that discernible variations in personal style persist due to various factors such as social networks, political affiliations, professional backgrounds, educational attainment, and idiosyncrasies of personality.
When the prevalence of prejudice within a group reaches a certain level, individuals within the group tend to conform to the views of their peers. Within the realm of social psychology, Charles Horton Cooley established the concept of the “looking glass self.” This concept posits that an individual’s construction of their identity is shaped by their exposure to and engagement in social interactions. George Herbert Mead’s social behaviorist theory posits that the primary qualities of a person are their sense of self and how they are seen by others. Mead posits that the development of self is not inherently complete at birth, but rather is shaped and cultivated via social interactions and exposure to societal norms and values. Fashion plays a significant role in serving as a receptacle for the many pieces of knowledge and wisdom acquired during our journeys, regardless of the simplicity or intricacy of the attire.
The researchers suggest that the level of formality in one’s attire has the potential to impact both external perceptions by others and internal self-perceptions. Consequently, these perceptions may subsequently influence decision-making processes by affecting one’s cognitive processing style. The instantaneous alteration of one’s biological state may induce a sense of dominance and control.
When executed proficiently, garments has the capacity to have a systematic impact on the cognitive and emotional processes of the individual wearing them. In the context of a transfer student, there is a noticeable distinction between her and her classmates, mostly attributed to disparities in her manner and look, particularly since she hails from the northern region. The individual adorns attire that exhibits a grunge aesthetic, complemented with dyed red hair. Through undergoing a transformation and aligning herself with the social milieu, the individual assimilates the values and behaviors of her chosen social circle, therefore utilizing clothing as a means to facilitate social integration and transform her self-perception.
Fashion that deviates from one’s own style may have a tolling effect, causing discomfort and a sensation akin to wearing a costume, mostly owing to the psychological influence that the clothing has on the individual’s body. There are several motives for engaging in certain behaviors, such as integrating into a social group, seeking safety, or adhering to a prescribed clothing code, among others. This can alter one in a dramatic way though, in Tai’s case, she develops an overly confident attitude that sheds away her laid back chill demeanor into one that is brash and harsh and unkind since she is taken on an identity that doesn’t align with her being- it takes control rather than her controlling it through the social high of popularity. The individual in question wants to transition towards certain behaviors that she ought to have adopted, but these behaviors are incongruous with her social circle due to the fact that they portray her as a potential danger to Cher’s social status, a position she had never aspired to in the first place. Following a conflict, Cher departs in alone and comes to the realization that her efforts to become selflessly concerned about others have not resulted in assisting Tai, but rather in the creation of a distorted perception of herself.
When Tai reverts to her previous way, remnants of Cher and Dionne’s makeover are still evident, indicating that Tai’s prior identity has been integrated with her current self. In the context of social groupings, individuals often endeavor to uphold a favorable image and are susceptible to ingroup bias. When a collective view is held, individuals tend to persist in maintaining and reinforcing these impressions. This usually happens over a lifetime, but the makeover in the film takes this development and captures it in one sped-up sequence.
Dr. Julia Wagner, states, “Movie makeovers play out a wish fulfillment – that we can all, with just a little expertise, transform into a beautiful, confident creature.” The relationship between a moviegoer’s yearning and enjoyment is shaped by societal norms, individual interactions, and individual perspectives on a character’s outer appearance, aesthetic preferences, and sense of style. This phenomenon, when it occurs, usually has a cause that develops gradually over the course of an individual’s life. On the other hand, makeovers in the movies tend to take place quickly, simplifying the process.
It’s been many years since Jane Austen’s Emma, who described her heroine as a girl who “no one but myself will much like.” The modern story of clueless celebrates and plays with this concept through the unapologetic hyper-femininity fashion and breaking stereotypes around what it means to look or be a certain way. In this instance, Cher is superficial, obsessed with appearances, and holds a lot of traditionally feminine traits which in most media would make her disliked, viewed in a negative manner, or cause assumptions about her personality but she is the most likable, kind, and positive character in the film despite the typically thought of attributes of her social group.
The positivity around Cher’s personality, demeanor, and actions has aided in bringing this fashion into a more positive light, making it highly coveted after the film’s release and still holds relevance today in both the common market and high-end fashion.
For instance, Donatella Versace’s Fall 2018 Ready to Wear featured a mashup of colorful plaids in schoolgirl skirts and sets paired off with tees and soft cardigans. The costume design’s nineties-by-way-of-the-seventies still holds up as an aesthetic concept that can be found in other styles of dress such as Hedi Slimane’s luxe California grunge menswear for SPRING 2016.
The act of engaging in fashion, makeover, or grooming endeavors should serve to improve one’s overall quality of life and self-perception, rather than diminishing them. The opinions of others on one’s appearance or personal style are ultimately inconsequential since individual tastes for beauty and fashion vary. What holds significance is one’s own sense of comfort and contentment with oneself. The film Clueless effectively portrays the significance of self-identity, social status, and interpersonal connections.
The central theme conveyed in the film is the ease with which individuals may get engrossed in their own personal realities. However, Cher successfully transcends this tendency and through a transformative journey, ultimately emerges as a really introspective individual. This transformation is achieved via her deliberate acts, adoption of a more aware mentality, genuine acknowledgment of others, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships. The transformation in her appearance may not be dramatic, but her perception of it, as well as her perspective on the surrounding environment and interpersonal connections, undergo significant changes. These alterations serve as visible evidence of her authentic self and her efforts toward personal growth and self-improvement. The cultivation of an individual’s distinctive style serves as a tangible manifestation of their capacity to surmount obstacles, imperfections, and a sense of disorientation, while simultaneously embracing and honoring their unique qualities, characteristics, and identity.
SOURCES: Trends that Clueless Predicted- https://www.vogue.com/article/summer-… When Clothing Style Influences Cognitive Style Quote- https://www.psychologicalscience.org/… Costume designer Mona May on creating iconic fashions for Clueless- • Costume designer Mona May on creating… Social Identity Theory- https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/82… Theories of Socialization – https://courses.lumenlearning.com/bou…. When Clothing Style Influences Cognitive Style- https://www.psychologicalscience.org/…
