Tom Cruise has done for Aviators what Stranger Things has done for Kate Bush

Top Gun is likely to be one of the biggest box office hits of 2022. The second instalment of Top Gun is more than just a reboot of a classic, it has also brought Tom Cruise his first $1bn box office in a 41 year career that spans back to 1981 when he made his film debut in Endless Love.

Running it back to 1986, a lesser known, 24 year old, Tom Cruise took the reins of the F-14 Tomcat, playing Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in a film that became an overnight classic. Top Gun catapulted Cruise into being a household name across the world.

Film’s Influence on Fashion Sales

In 1986, demand for Rayban Aviators rose by 40% in the seven months after the film's release, which led the Aviator style to become one of the best selling lines of the 80’s; a run that extended into the early 90’s.

TopGun hasn’t been the only film that has influenced fashion and pop culture in the last fifty years.

Five Fashion Trends Stemming From Movies

Here are some other examples of films influencing sales.

1. The Godfather’s Three Piece Suits
 

Al Pacino and co’s slick, mafia appearance really brought back three piece suits in a 1970's decade that was trending towards a more formal outlook on clothing.

2. The Great Gatsby’s Fringed Clothing

Just over a decade ago, the 1920’s was reimagined by Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and co, with The Great Gatsby bringing a rise of fringed clothing, tassels and pizzazz that inspired many a party theme and fashionistas wardrobe.

3. Clueless’s Checked Everything

The mid 1990’s brought LA High School style to the world with check shirts, check skirts, and check just-about-everything selling faster than ever in many many countries across the world. There is still a cult following almost 30 years later.

4. The Matrix’s Trenchcoats

Neo, Trinity and Morpheus spent almost 8hrs, across the Matrix Film franchise dressed head to toe in black trench and oversized coats with splices of leather and tiny sunglasses; and it caught on with the early 2000’s seeing more people wearing trenchcoats than before.

5. Beetlejuice’s Gothic Tones

Michael Keaton’s cult hit from 1988 was weird. We all know it was, but it didn’t stop the adoption of a gothic style across fashion, hair and make-up over the 2 years after the film’s release.