Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron movie costumes from An American in Paris on display...

In 1951's Technicolor musical, Gene Kelly plays 'Jerry Mulligan', a World War II veteran who chooses a newly-liberated Paris as the place to make his name as a painter. Jerry's life becomes more complicated when he meets a young Parisian shop girl named 'Lise Bouvier' (played by Leslie Caron) and realizes he is not her only suitor. The musical romantic comedy directed by Vincente Minnelli is inspired by composer and pianist George Gershwin's 1928 jazz-influenced symphonic poem of the same name.

Jerry Mulligan costume worn by Gene Kelly

and Lise Bouvier costume worn by Leslie Caron

in An American in Paris

These screen-worn costumes were photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Three renowned designers - Orry-Kelly, Walter Plunkett and Irene Sharaff - won the Academy Award for Costume Design at the 1952 Oscars.

Irene Sharaff designed the looks and helped develop the narrative, choreography and set design for the film's 17-minute ballet finale. Jerry's monochrome costume (made of wool, rayon and cotton) stands out as he pursues Lise across a colorful Paris. The lovers eventually uniting in a highly charged dance by the Place de la Concorde fountain, where Lise wears this exquisite peacock ensemble (made of silk velvet, silk chiffon, peacock feathers and glass rhinestones).

I loved seeing these iconic costumes from the movie on display as I have fond memories of seeing the musical on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 2015.

Musicals fans may also enjoy these other screen-used costumes on display at exhibitions over the years.

An American in Paris movie poster

Barbra Streisand's Fanny Brice movie costume from Funny Lady on display...

1968's Funny Girl movie is loosely based on the life and career of comedienne and singer Fanny Brice set in the early 1900s and Barbra Streisand won her first Oscar for Best Actress for this, her debut feature film, reprising her role from the Broadway hit musical. In 1975's musical comedy-drama, Barbra Streisand returned to the role for the romantic sequel, Funny Lady. Hitting difficult times during the 1930s, with her marriage to 'Nicky Arnstein' (Omar Sharif) ending in divorce, Fanny continues to pursue fame with the help of brash nightclub owner, song lyricist and showman, 'Billy Rose' (James Chan). And even though they slowly start to feel something for each other, during their stormy relationship, Fanny knows that her feelings for her ex haven't completely gone away.

Fanny Brice movie gown worn by Barbra Streisand

in Funny Lady

Hello, gorgeous. This screen-worn gown was photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Ray Aghayan and Bob Mackie were Costume Designers on the movie sequel directed by Herbert Ross and this was one of Fanny Brice's colorful stage costumes made from satin, chiffon, velvet, sequins and jet gemstones (the beret and shoes featured are non-originals).

For another Bob Mackie creation, be sure to check out this Alice Through the Looking Glass costume from the 1966 TV movie.

Funny Lady movie poster

Amphibian Man movie costume from The Shape of Water on display...

In 2017's dark romantic period fantasy, The Shape of Water, Sally Hawkins plays a mute janitor at a high-security laboratory in Baltimore, Maryland in 1962, who falls in love with a captive humanoid Amphibian Man (played by Doug Jones). The cleaner bonds with the creature after visiting him secretly and decides to help him escape before the military can vivisect him to examine his respiratory system.

Amphibian Man costume worn by Doug Jones

in The Shape of Water

This screen-used costume was captured on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Picture on October 13, 2025.

Shane Mahan, Mike Hill and Kazu Hiro were responsible for creature concept and makeup of the Amphibian Man and the look is heavily inspired by the classic monster film Creature from the Black Lagoon. The suit is fabricated by Legacy Effects from silicone, cast urethane resin, fiberglass, paint and acrylic.

Fans of Guillermo del Toro's movie can also enjoy these other screen-worn costumes from The Shape of Water designed by Costume Designer Luis Sequeira. 

The Shape of Water movie billboard

Carmen Miranda's movie costume from Week-End in Havana on display...

In 1941's Technicolor musical romantic-comedy, Week-End in Havana, Portuguese-born Brazilian actress, singer and dancer Carmen Miranda plays 'Rosita Rivas', the star attraction at a Cuban nightclub. The actress, nicknamed the "Brazilian Bombshell", became known for her signature fruit headdresses she wore in her American films like this one on display.

Rosita Rivas costume worn by Carmen Miranda

in Week-End in Havana

This screen-worn costume was photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Gwen Wakeling was the Head Costume Designer at 20th Century Fox responsible for this colorful ensemble made of silk, rayon and plastic (although the jewelry pictured is not part of the original costume).

Week-End in Havana movie poster

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor movie costumes from Moulin Rouge! on display...

In Baz Luhrmann's 2001 over-the-top romantic musical movie, Moulin Rouge!, a poor Bohemian English poet named 'Christian' (played by Ewan McGregor) falls for a beautiful courtesan and cabaret star named 'Satine' (Nicole Kidman) at the infamous Moulin Rouge in 1890s Paris. However the Parisian nightclub singer has been promised to a Duke by her manager to help fund his next production, but as the young lovers meet in secret, Satine hides a fatal secret from both Christian and her betrothed. 

Satine costume worn by Nicole Kidman

and Christian costume worn by Ewan McGregor

in Moulin Rouge!

This duo of Oscar-winning costumes from the movie were photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie are the Academy Award-winning Costume Designers on the 2001 film.

Satine's pink diamonds costume is from the film's "Sparkling Diamonds" sequence, a musical adaptation of the song "Diamonds Are a Girl's best Friend", and this is the showgirl pink diamanté corselet with ostrich feather tail that she changes into during the musical scene.

Meanwhile I believe Christian's tailcoat was made in both plain and sparkling versions for the romantic fantasy "Your Song" dance sequence.

And if you like musical movies, you may also like a closer look at Christina Aguilera's movie costumes from Burlesque and this Folies Bergère-inspired movie costume from Nine on display.

Moulin Rouge! movie poster

10 women's Halloween costume ideas from the cinema screen in recent times...

With store shelves stacked with Halloween candy and decorations, you can't help but start to get in the spooky season spirit. The other day I shared some costume ideas for men from films from the past year and today it's time for some women's costume inspiration from the big screen.

Shug Avery costume

from The Color Purple

If you're looking for something empowering and eye-catching this Halloween, maybe take inspiration from 2023's vivid musical reinterpretation of The Color Purple and Taraji P. Henson's 1920s independent jazz singer  'Shug Avery' in her bold and shimmering red dress, gloves and feathered headdress.

Francine Jamison-Tanchuck was Costume Designer on the film and this outfit paid homage to Aggie Guerard Rodgers designs from the original 1985 movie.

Captain Monica Rambeau costume

from The Marvels

If you're feeling more like you want to be a superhero this year, then the black and white super-suit worn by Teyonah Parris as 'Monica Rambeau' in 2023's The Marvels will help you shine brightly.

Lindsay Pugh was Costume Designer on this underrated MCU entry directed by Nia DaCosta and you can check out more heroic costumes from The Marvels. 

Dar-Benn costume

from The Marvels

For something more villainous Zawe Ashton's Kree Supremor 'Dar-Benn' from The Marvels may help you show off your evil side this Halloween.

As above Lindsay Pugh designed this sci-fi comic book outfit from the movie that followed the events of the first Captain Marvel film, WandaVision and the Ms. Marvel TV series.

Navarro costume

from Alien: Romulus

For more out-of-this-world futuristic looks, then maybe take some fashion inspiration from Aileen Wu's hauler pilot 'Navarro' in 2024's science fiction horror sequel, Alien: Romulus.

To complete this cool leather trousers and jacket look designed by Carlos Rosario, just add an alien "facehugger" to your face for the ultimate accessory and be sure to take a look at more screen-worn costumes from the latest Alien film on display.

Dr. Volumnia Gaul costume

from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

You could always be inspired by the outlandish fashion of The Capitol of Panem, channeling your inner mad scientist with this costume worn by Viola Davis as the cruel gamesmaker 'Dr. Volumnia Gaul' in 2023's The Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

Make sure you check out the other screen-worn costumes from the movie, including those worn by Rachel Zegler and Hunter Schafer, designed by Trish Summerville.

Bella Baxter costume

from Poor Things

Academy Award winner Emma Stone brought another iconic character to the big screen in 2023 with the introduction of 'Bella Baxter' in Poor Things.

Her take on a Victorian woman resurrected with an infantile brain in the tradition of Frankenstein's Monster was made all the more eccentric with the help of Holly Waddington's Oscar-winning costume designs. Massive sleeves should all the rage this Halloween.

Ariel costume

from The Little Mermaid

For a more fairytale princess outfit, look no further than Halle Bailey's 'Ariel' costume from Disney's 2023 reimagining of The Little Mermaid.

Costume design legend Colleen Atwood was responsible for the looks of Rob Marshall's live-action adaptation based on the beloved 1989 musical fantasy animated feature. 

Priscilla Presley costume

from Priscilla

If you want to dress like a style icon this Halloween, then maybe you could take inspiration from 'Priscilla Presley'.

Cailee Spaeny played the infamous wife of Elvis in the 2023 biopic and Stacey Battat was Costume Designer on the film, some sure to checkout more costumes from Priscilla on display.

Empress Joséphine costume

from Napoleon

For another icon from history, maybe the regal attire worn by Vanessa Kirby as the 'Empress Josephine Bonaparte' in Ridley Scott's 2023 Napoleon biopic will rule this Halloween.

Janty Yates and David Crossman were the Oscar-nominated Costume Designers on the historical epic.

Barbie cowgirl costume

from Barbie

Not only did Greta Gerwig's big screen summer 2023 Barbie movie deliver $1.4 billion at the global box office, but the film starring Margot Robbie as Mattel's titular doll come to life also delivered many Oscar-nominated looks (designed by Jacqueline Durran) and lots of Halloween costume inspiration.

Which Barbie will you be? Cowgirl Barbie, Rollerblade Barbie, Physicist Barbie, Judge Barbie, Mermaid Barbie, President Barbie or even Weird Barbie, the possibilities are endless.

Don't see anything to inspire you here? Maybe you should check out previous women's Halloween costume ideas from television and cinema from years past.