Clueless Costume Designer Lifts the Veil on Iconic 90s Fashion

In 2025, Clueless costume designer Mona May is set to release a new coffee table book, The Fashion of Clueless, that offers an exclusive deep dive into the unforgettable outfits that made the 1995 film a pop culture phenomenon. May, who designed the looks for characters like Cher Horowitz, Dionne Davenport, and Tai Frasier, is sharing never-before-seen images and candid stories about how the film's fashion came to life.

According to May, she carefully considered the bodies and personalities of the characters when crafting their iconic ensembles, aiming to create "feminine" and chic looks that would stand the test of time. The designer drew inspiration from the runways of Milan and Paris, translating those high-fashion styles to fit the world of Beverly Hills high schoolers. May notes that the characters often went through "transformations" in the film, and she wanted to represent that evolution through their evolving wardrobes.

The most famous look, Cher's yellow plaid ensemble, was a standout moment for May. She explains that when actress Alicia Silverstone tried on the vibrant outfit, it was "breathtaking" and perfectly captured Cher's status as the "queen of the school." May's use of color and attention to detail are credited with making the Clueless fashion so timeless and beloved by fans.