Maybe it's a girl thing. Sex And The City 2 has had some cruel reviews, but that doesn't seem likely to stop fans turning out in droves. There may not be much overlap between the circles in which film critics move and those inhabited by its loyal admirers, who loved the series, flocked to the first movie, bought the DVD as soon as it hit the shelves and looked forward enthusiastically to the sequel. Whether or not the comedy quite hits the mark, whether or not the characters are as much fun as they used to be, there's one thing bound to appeal, and that's the clothes.
For fashion addicts everywhere, Sex And The City 2 looks set to be a treat. Its stars have been parading around in some fantastic outfits as they've done the usual round of promotional stunts and interviews, restoring a little old fashioned Hollywood glamour to an industry perhaps becoming a little too comfortable in casual clothes. But there are other films with a focus on fashion. Some are celebratory, some vicious, but all are well worth checking out if you're looking for ideas. Save the substance for the indie dramas - sometimes it's all about style.
Last year's fashion treat, doubtless still fresh in the minds of many viewers, was The September Issue, perhaps best watched as a counterpart to The Devil Wears Prada from 2006. The former is a documentary looking at Anna Wintour, the real life character on whom Meryl Streep's designer-clad ice queen was based in the latter. Even if you don't usually enjoy documentaries and don't find the idea of watching a film about business very appealing, this one might have something for you. Not only does it have a smart and entertaining tale to tell, it's full of little insights about the industry that'll make you think again about your own wardrobe and what you see on the high street this season. Wintour herself is always immaculately dressed and there are a number of glamorous - and not so glamorous - celebrities on show, whom she's not afraid to cut down to size when they get out of line. Looking that good takes discipline.
The Devil Wears Prada itself may be less sophisticated but it certainly dresses up well, with clothes by Calvin Klein, Vivienne Westwood and Dolce & Gabbana as well as some classics by Donna Karan and Chanel. The production team faced a bit of a dilemma in trying to present Anne Hathaway's character as initially naïve and not as chic as she thinks she is, but compromised by mixing designer gear with off-the-shelf items that made easy targets for Streep's attacks. Hathaway's gradual transformation over the course of the film is reminiscent of Melanie Griffiths in 1988's Working Girl, in which power dressing forms a crucial part of our heroine learning to assert herself - even if she may never be quite the high achiever she imagines.
Of course, fashion doesn't just have to be for girls. From Isis Mussenden's evocative Eighties creations in American Psycho to the rather less corporate-friendly garb sported by Ben Stiller as Zoolander, there's plenty of striking menswear captured on celluloid. But perhaps nothing can quite compete with Sacha Baron Cohen's fashion guru alter ego Brüno, who became the darling of an industry often unfairly accused of being unable to laugh at itself. "Getting name checked in Brüno is the ultimate fashion accessory," commented Marie Claire editor Trish Halpin, and even Agatha Ruiz de la Prada admitted that her business had done well out of the stunt he pulled at her Spring 2009 show, crashing through her collection in a velcro suit and then stumbling onto the catwalk with much of it still stuck to him. Brüno's more conventionally applied attire included originals by the likes of Thierry Mugler, Roberto Cavalli and Alexander McQueen. Like a lot of high fashion, it may not really have been intended to be worn that way, but it certainly still made an impact.
As fashion spoofs go, there's nothing quite as ambitious as Robert Altman's 1994 Prêt-à-Porter, for all that it was criticised for having shallow characters and perhaps not anticipating the full extent of the industry's in-jokes. Because it was filmed during Paris Fashion Week, slipping in and out of backstage gatherings and catwalk shows, it's full of gorgeous outfits, including creations by Christian Lacroix and Jean-Paul Gaultier (of course, for really inventive Gaultier, you might also want to check out science fiction film The Fifth Element). There are cameos by the likes of Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Christy Turlington.
Finally, fashion fans may find it worth taking a look back at the classics for a few gems that still shine today. From Audrey Hepburn's stunning transformation in Funny Face to Julia Roberts' thrilling shopping spree in Pretty Woman, there's plenty to remind us that clothes can mean more than just looking good - they can change the way you feel. Much like a good movie, critically approved or not.
