Looking forward into the future, there are many things that people like to speculate about; how far technology will go, how the social and political landscape will change, andwhen are we getting our flying cars!?. However, one thing that is less discussed is fashion. Trends in the industry can change from year to year, so how can we predict the couture hundreds of years into the future?
This challenge is posed to any filmmaker depicting life in both the far and not-so-distant future. Sometimes, their visions evoke excitement about what we may be wearing. Other examples make us hope for the world to end before being forced into an ugly get-up. From crotch-highlighting outfits to gray uniforms, to punk-inspired wear and decked-out go-go boots, we will hit the movie runway and look at future fashion from the worst to the best.
10Zardoz (1973)
A group of barbarians, known as the Brutals, scavenge for resources in a post-apocalyptic world ruled by a mysterious figure named Zardoz. When one of the barbarians,played by Sean Connery, sneaks aboard the gigantic floating head, he is transported to a world of elite philosophers, artists, and researchers, where he learns the true secret of his origins and purpose.
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Fashion in the Unspecified Future
Living in the world ofZardoz, you will have limited clothing options. Either you are a hunted percent having to get by with whatever dirty rags you can stick to your filth-encrusted body, or you are a hunter wearing a (likely) chaffing speedo held up by bullet holder suspenders. If you are lucky and find yourself among the elite, you at least get a mix of Roman, Egyptian, and ‘bath towel realness,’ — a far cry from the sleek fashion one would want in the future. Bonus points are deserved for the brave souls who went all in on Halloween with the iconic red, crotch-highlighting look by Sean Connery.
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9Forbidden Planet (1956)
Sent to investigate a silent planet in their solar system, a crew of space travelers stumbles upon a planet that hosted a once proud civilization with only two remaining survivors. The technologically-advanced culture, once known as the Krells, is survived by one man who still holds onto the secrets of the past. With the help of the last surviving daughter of the ancient civilizations, the crew learns of the evil plans of the last surviving Krell man.
Fashion in the year 1976
We are not going to knock uniforms. With the right design, they can exude a certain authoritarian cool that is hard to beat. Alternatively, they can become iconic, such as in the case of the Starfleet apparelseen throughoutStar Trekand its various interations. Do you know what is not exciting, though?Forbidden Planet’sgrey with shoulder pads and a utility belt. Some color differences are allowed; villains get to wear black, and women can switch between a few colors with a couple of adornments. Still, the theme here is to be as dull as possible, down to the matching generic male haircuts.
8Solarbabies (1986)
Solarbabiesfollows a group of orphaned teens trying to survive theunforgiving landscape in a post-apocalyptic futureruled over by a military regime. When it is revealed that one of them has the power to restore the desert by calling forth rain, they become the target of military force. They must escape to save the dying planet from the authoritarian and corrupt tyrants.
Not everyone will remember the ‘rollerblade mania’ that swept through cinema; even those alive when it was relevant are not likely to recall it. Yet dozens of 80s films depict wastelands dominated by rollerblading gangs. It is tragic, considering the end of infrastructure that ensured all roads and paths remained forever bumpy.Solarbabieshad two looks: dirt-covered jeans and rollerblades, or gaudy battle uniforms (prominently jean-adjacent colors) and rollerblades. There is not a lot of excitement to be had in the fashion here, but if you get a good stretch of untouched tarmac, at least you’re able to zoom around and forget the deplorable clothes the future has forced upon you.
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7Judge Dredd (1995)
In a dystopian future where law enforcement officers, known as ‘Judges,’ have the ultimate authority as judge, jury, and executioner,Judge Dreddfocuses on one agent, Dredd (Sylvester Stalone). After he gets framed for the murder of his half-brother Rico, who is aiming to take over Mega-City One with an army of clones, Dredd must clear his name and stop the plot to destroy the city.
Fashion in the Year 2080
A step-up in uniform design from the previously mentionedForbidden Planet,Judge Dreddfeatures flashy outfits decorated with gold and an intimidating codpiece. It screams, “I am here, and I am not f***ing around” in an undeniably fun way, despite seeming slightly inconvenient as a police uniform. Outside your work gear, though, as casual as you would like to be (bonus!). Alternatively, those on the outskirts of society can augment their bodies with tech. Thisresults in some horrifically disfigured monsterswith metal bits stitched into them, but we have to admire the commitment.
6Logan’s Run (1976)
To control the over-population of the earth, the government mandates that once someone hits the age of 30, they must be executed. The story follows one of the enforcers of this law, Logan, who, approaching his execution date, decides to flee, becoming a ‘runner’ along with his partner Jessica.
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Fashion in the year 2274
One thing that comes to mind when looking at fashion inLogan’s Run, despite its rather middling aesthetic, is comfiness. The outfits look perfect for a spring or autumn stroll for men and nice flowing fabrics for women in the summer — though this would make dates somewhat awkward to plan. The other promising aspect of the future couture is that it allows some greater expression for women’s fashion with color. Accessories are also allowed but are light and complimentary instead of defining the style. It may not be the sharpest or the coolest, but it is hard to see many complaining ifLogan’s Run’ssimple and comfy wear becomes the standard style in the future.
5The Matrix (2199)
After learning he has been living in a simulation, Neo (Keanu Reeves) is given the option to wake up in the real world and help fight against the forces using people as human batteries to power their existence. Neo soon finds himself as the savior of humanity and becomes one of the few able to fight against the deadly agents sent into the digital world to ensure order.
Fashion in the Year 2199
It is a fact that everyone looks good in black. Yes, flares of color are a better definition of exuding one’s personality, but you can’t go wrong with black for a sharp and sleek look. Combine this with a slight cyberpunk chic, and you have enough options not to wear identical get-ups as those around you. Of course, we are looking solely at Neo and his crew instead of NPC’s and agents, but we hope you find yourself on the red-pilled side ofThe Matrix(the outfits do flow perfectly whenflexing your newly found kung-fu skills). Regardless, the look is one of the more preferable options for future fashion, just not ideal given its lack of color. Fashion Design by Kym Barrett.
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4The Fifth Element (1999)
The Fifth Elementfollows a New York Cab Driver, Korben Dallas (Brue Willis), who becomes involved in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon after running into a mysterious woman named Leeloo, played by Milla Jovovich. Taking her under his care puts him in the path of the evil Mr. Zorg, who is looking for the titular ‘Fifth Element’ for personal gain.
Fashion in the Year 2263
The fashion withinThe Fifth Elementis defined by its freedom of expression; you can be flamboyant, practical, reserved, or… an evil tyrant. Moreover, the fashion still looks great in a modern-day context, with Milla Jovovich’s sharp style and bright hair fit for a bold premier on the runway. Comparatively, Gary Oldman may look like several villains rolled into one, but it is a striking aestheticthat exudes evil in the best way. Of course, this is all helped by the sharp visual direction of Luc Besson, but bringing on Jean Paul Gaultier to do the fashion for the movie made the looks as iconic as they are.
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3Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
New blade runner “K” (Ryan Gosling), unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to destabilize society. This discovery leads him to track down a former agent, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who has been missing for the past 30 years. The movie is set 30 years after the events of the iconic originalBlade Runner.
Fashion in the Year 2049
So far in the list, we have had looks inspired by different styles/movements, but one of the most underrated aesthetics has to be film noir, which inspired both iterations ofBlade Runner.Blade Runner 2049balances practical wear with style, ensuring you may trudge through cruddy weather and still look sharp. Of course, it helps that actor Ryan Gosling has become the definition of cool after hisperformance in Nicolas Winding Refn’sDrive. Designer Renée April certainly captured that balance of clothes for a harsh environment and fashionable wear using materials like laminated cotton and fake fur.
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2Tank Girl (1995)
Tank Girl, along with her friend Jet Girl and kangaroo crush Booga, fight against the evil corporation Water and Power. Developing a new technology that turns people into bottled water, the charismatic and cool Tank Girl uses her witty tongue and battle know-how to save her friends.
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Fashion in the Year 2033
Lori Petty’s Tank Girl predatesMargot Robbie’s Harley Quinnby decades, yet the similarities between the two are unmissable. Flashy, DIY-punk fashion delivered with an expressive personality with make-up made to match the loudness of every outfit. This has always been an essential draw to theTank Girlseries, with the ongoing comic by creators Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett defined by its expressive, crass, and brash style. Oscar-nominated Arianne Phillips killed it with the adaptation and design ofTank Girl. Who would not want to embrace such a chaotic yet fashionable aesthetic in the future?
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1Barbarella (1968)
Based on the French comic series of the same,Barbarellafollows the titular space explorer/agent as she navigates through a series of events across the cosmos to find Duran Duran, an inventor developing a world-ending weapon. Along the way Barbarella meets various characters, including a blind angel named Pygar.
Fashion in the Year 4000
From the opening scene that seesa picturesque Jane Fonda rotating in the airand casually getting dressed, the fashion ofBarbarellais instantly iconic. The Roger Vadim film looks utterly gorgeous throughout. Still, fashion constantly pops in a way that almost every frame featuring Fonda could grace the pages of a fashion magazine, either cover or editorial. Thigh-high boots, lush colors, campy space wear, and abundant shine and sparkle are all to die for! In addition, the men tend to rock more rugged looks, increasing Fonda’s beauty and various outfits. Designer Jacques Fonteray’s designs in the 60s film are still homaged to this day.
