Nearly three decades after the release of “Clueless,” the iconic yellow plaid outfit worn by Alicia Silverstone’s character, Cher Horowitz, continues to inspire fashion trends. The vibrant fashion in the film is credited to costume designer Mona May and director Amy Heckerling. Celebrities such as Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, and Beyoncé have donned similar plaid outfits, solidifying the movie’s fashion legacy.
Silverstone herself has revisited her role in “Clueless,” sporting a modern version of the yellow plaid suit in a recent Super Bowl commercial for the shopping platform, Rakuten. In the advertisement, Silverstone recreated classic scenes from the film while promoting Rakuten’s cash-back offerings. The ad campaign was made possible by the collaboration between Silverstone and her real-life friend and fashion designer, Christian Siriano.
Siriano designed the updated yellow plaid outfit worn by Silverstone in the commercial, as well as three “Clueless”-inspired looks for his upcoming runway show. Siriano, who is known for his ethical fashion practices, frequently dresses Silverstone, and the two have even recreated scenes from “Clueless” together. The designer made a cameo appearance in the Rakuten commercial, playing one of the students in Cher’s debate class.
According to Siriano, the yellow plaid has remained popular for so many years because of its bold, graphic, abstract print. The schoolgirl uniform-inspired outfit was made playful with the addition of Mary Jane heels, over-the-knee stockings, and a sunny yellow color. At the time of the film’s release, grunge fashion was dominant, and the polished, high-fashion looks of the “Clueless” characters stood out in contrast.
This deviation from the typical teenage wardrobe is another reason why generations continue to find inspiration in the fashion of “Clueless.” The movie offers a glimpse into its glossy, bubble-gum world, even if it was mostly movie magic. Today, Cher Horowitz remains a popular Halloween costume and source of style inspiration. The #cluelessoutfits tag has over 24 million views on TikTok, featuring people in iconic looks from the film, such as Cher’s Dolce & Gabbana plaid power suit and Calvin Klein slip dress.
Updating the yellow plaid suit for the Super Bowl commercial required a careful touch. Siriano modernized the outfit with a different plaid pattern, a cropped jacket, no cardigan, black shoes, and a more adult version of a pleated miniskirt. Balancing the desire to elevate and sophisticated the look while keeping it the same proved to be a challenge, according to Silverstone.
In conclusion, “Clueless” has left a lasting impact on fashion, with its yellow plaid outfit continuing to inspire trendsetters and designers alike. The movie’s fashion legacy is a testament to the creativity and vision of its costume designer and director. The recent Super Bowl commercial, featuring Silverstone and Siriano, further solidified the popularity of the iconic yellow plaid outfit and the lasting appeal of the movie’s fashion.
