Autumn has officially arrived, bringing pumpkin chai lattes, crunchy leaves, fall outfits, and seasonal movies. This environment is perfect for finding fashion inspiration through the cooler air and nature’s ever-changing color palette. As we descend on this season, fashion lovers can’t help but find ideas for fall outfits from the storybook features of this season.
Movies are one of the easiest sources of fashion inspiration. Films like Scream and Twilight bring both fall vibes and fall clothing. The decades, settings, and genres covered by these movies allow for a wide variety of fashions to be observed. Keep reading to learn how to find inspiration while enjoying your favorite seasonal films!
1. Hocus Pocus (1993)
When unsuspecting Max Dennison accidentally manifests three 300-year-old witches, he throws a major wrench in his Halloween plans. The Sanderson sisters, elated by their conjuring, resolve to bewitch the town and reclaim their youth. The cozy film that follows provides major style inspiration for people who like to add a bit of mysticism to their fall outfits.
It’s not a Hocus Pocus outfit without giving major credit to the Sanderson sisters’ wardrobes! Velvet, jewel-tone colors, full skirts, and cloaks comprise their witchy style. This is perfect for fall weather, as the outfits are warm yet fashionable and functional.
I’ve chosen this short black velvet dress to reflect the film’s witchy vibe while still being wearable. The sheer, fluttery bell sleeve adds a celestial touch to the look. The beautiful lace and corset detailing bring incredible detail and texture without overwhelming the piece. Throw on some black tights for warmth and even a cape or cloak to embody the mystical Hocus Pocus vibe!
The platform Madden Girl boots infuse a modern touch into the dress but doesn’t clash with its whimsical vibe. Additionally, the knee-high length of the boots draws up to meet the hemline of the dress without blending into it, creating a visually appealing break in color. This platform style offers height while still being practical.
Amethyst accessories allude to the purple shown in the Sanderson sisters’ outfits. The tree-like wire wrapping on this crystal pendant creates an earthy vibe that reflects the nature of the film. The matching amethyst earrings are more subtle than the pendant but tie in the purple nicely. The silver detailing cultivates an antique look that coordinates with Hocus Pocus‘s Salem setting.
2. Scream (1996)
When the masked killer “Ghostface” commits a string of gory murders in a small town, terror ensues. Scream is a cult-classic Halloween thriller! Its slasher plot pairs perfectly with humor to ensure that you won’t be too scared to check behind the shower curtain at night.
The film was released in 1996 and portrays classic mid-’90s fashion. From Drew Barrymore’s iconic cream sweater to the neon green suit worn by Courteney Cox, this movie’s fashion inspires while being a thrilling film to watch. Taking place in October, the movie provides great fall outfit ideas, specifically.
The film’s wardrobe has a notable color palette of warm reds, oranges, browns, and greens — remember Cox’s chartreuse suit? While it is easy to assume the color palette is a nod to the autumn season, it’s actually inspired by Edvard Munch’s Scream painting. I took this knowledge and found the perfect sweater inspired by the era and color palette with a colorful eBay find of a ’90s-era GAP, and it encapsulates the colors of fall in the best way.
A muted green crystal necklace from Brandy Melville ties in with the earthy color palette of the movie’s wardrobe without being too bright. Looking at small details, the thin black cord that holds the pendant coordinates with this black belt from Old Navy. The belt’s eye-catching silver buckle is reminiscent of ’90s fashion and does not take away from the sweater.
Mid-rise jeans from Abercrombie are always the way to go. The easy cut continues the sweater’s silhouette and blends perfectly into classic combat boots. The black Dr. Marten leather boots top off this cozy and nostalgic fall outfit inspired by Scream!
3. Practical Magic (1998) – fall outfit
Sally and Gillian Owens come from a family of witches cursed in the romantic department. Hundreds of years ago, their ancestors placed a curse that eventually kills any man they love. Throughout the film, the sisters combine magic and family in an attempt to reverse this centuries-old curse and finally attain peace.
Set in New England, this late-’90s movie is perfect for whimsical style inspiration. The sisters wear crochet, denim, oversized sweaters, and velvet throughout the film — classic textiles for fall that provide comfort and warmth while adding texture to any look.
Gillian’s iconic outfit is a cool-toned green velvet mini dress. This fall outfit revolves around a gorgeous chartreuse bell-sleeved top. The flattering slim cut features a cowl neck with gold hardware and mini shoulder cutouts. The cut and fabric are perfect for a Stevie Nicks-esque look — a reference to the end credit song of Practical Magic.
The bottom half of this fall outfit features a simple black maxi skirt. The fitted silhouette coordinates beautifully with the top and does not compete. An obsidian crystal necklace complements the black skirt, and the celestial charm creates a whimsical look without being overly witchy — something the Owens sisters tend to avoid.
Black Steve Madden loafers are a staple fall shoe. These particular loafers feature a gold chain that reflects the gold from the top half of the outfit. Ruffle socks add some white to break up the black skirt and shoes and bring a fun vibe to the outfit. Add a slim scarf and a leather jacket if it’s chilly for a perfectly celestial Practical Magic fall outfit!
4. Twilight (2008)
Twilight is arguably one of the most famous films of its time. Moody lighting and a mystical romance plot set against a woodsy background blend together to produce a perfectly cozy fall movie. The setting in rainy Forks, Washington places characters in cold-weather outfits that are easy to pull inspiration from.
Since the movie is set in the late 2000s, most of the cast’s wardrobe is distinctly small-town Y2K. The modern “downtown girl” trend is comparable to this aesthetic, as many elements, such as low-rise bootcut jeans, come from 2000s fashion. The fall outfit inspired by Twilight aligns with this well-loved aesthetic.
The characters have rather distinct styles, so I chose to assemble an outfit that covers elements from all styles. The Odette top from Brandy Melville reflects the subtly frilly blouses worn by several female characters. This basic but not boring top is the perfect starting point for any outfit, regardless of where you’re drawing your inspiration.
Of course, low-rise jeans are the style of Twilight‘s era. These low-loose jeans from Levi’s are a modern twist on the classic 2000s jeans. They are a bit looser throughout the leg, which is more forgiving and comfortable than bootcut jeans that are fitted on top. Red Chuck 70s add a perfectly fall-toned pop of color. Bonus points for the tiny embroidered stars!
Fall brings rainy weather and cooler mornings, especially in Forks. A thick zip-up hoodie from Brandy Melville provides warmth and comfort without sacrificing style. Zip it up halfway for a comfortable look that shows the top underneath! Topping it off, En Route’s Sunny Locket necklace is a gorgeous touch of shine.
5. Halloweentown (1998)
This cozy Halloween film is jam-packed with spooky (but not scary) skeletons! When Marnie Piper’s grandmother visits, Marnie begins to suspect that her mother is hiding something from her and her siblings. A trip on a seemingly normal bus lands them in Halloweentown — an alternate universe with magic, goblins, and witches.
Marnie, Aggie, and lots of background characters are styled similarly. These characters are dressed in a flowy style with many layers and long crystal necklaces. Coupled with the autumn vibe of Halloweentown, they are great to look at for bohemian fall outfit inspiration!
To incorporate the color and pattern of the characters’ wardrobes, this vest from Amazon is an affordable but exquisite piece that screams fall. The floral and celestial details embody Halloweentown‘s hippie vibe while creating a wearable piece. I included an Aritzia tank top to add color and warmth underneath the open vest. The dark teal color pulls in the color from the vest beautifully.
Corduroy pants are a staple piece for the fall. Brown corduroys from Madewell add more texture without overshadowing the vest or being too baggy. Cream Franco Sarto boots peek out from the bottom of the pant leg to tie in with the cream vest.
I wanted to use accessories to emphasize the sun pattern in the vest. The subtle sunburst pattern on this metal chain belt matches the vest, as does this gold necklace/earrings set. The teal beads really bring this fall outfit together!
Time to make your own fall outfits!
Now is the time to cozy up with fall movies and get some ideas for fall outfits! The variety of settings and characters’ personalities provide an infinite amount of fashion inspiration. When looking at outfits with pieces you don’t have in your closet, remember you can always thrift clothes or shop on apps like Depop before buying them firsthand. Happy styling!