Everyone talks about The Devil Wears Prada, Ocean’s Eleven, and Crazy Rich Asians when discussing style in cinema. These films rightfully earned their fashion credentials, but they’ve overshadowed equally stylish movies that deserve more attention. Her (2013) might be a meditation on love and technology, but it’s also the most underrated menswear masterclass of the past decade.

Spike Jonze’s intimate sci-fi romance created a near-future Los Angeles where style feels both evolved and familiar. The film’s approach to clothing deserves recognition not just for its aesthetic beauty, but for demonstrating how thoughtful costume design can enhance storytelling while offering genuine inspiration for contemporary dressing.

The Movie and Its Aesthetic Impact

Her follows Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) as he navigates a relationship with an AI operating system after his divorce. Set in a softly futuristic Los Angeles, the film creates a world that feels like tomorrow without relying on obvious sci-fi tropes. The near-future setting allowed costume designer Casey Storm to imagine how menswear might evolve while keeping everything recognizable and achievable.

Jonze, known for his distinctive visual style in music videos and previous films, collaborated with Storm to create wardrobes that feel lived-in rather than designed. The result is a film where every character’s clothing choices support their emotional journey while offering a vision of menswear that prioritizes comfort, quality, and emotional authenticity over traditional masculine signaling.

The aesthetic impact extends beyond individual garments to a complete reimagining of how men might dress in a world that’s moved beyond rigid gender expectations and embraced emotional openness. The film’s palette and silhouettes suggest a future where men’s clothing has become more thoughtful, nuanced, and personally expressive.

What It Gets Right About Style

Theodore’s wardrobe demonstrates perfect consistency between character and clothing choices. As a sensitive writer processing divorce and emotional vulnerability, his outfits reflect someone who prioritizes comfort and authenticity over status signaling. Every piece feels like something he would actually choose and feel comfortable wearing.

The film’s unique pieces remain remarkably wearable despite their futuristic setting. High-waisted trousers with a vintage feel, soft knit sweaters with interesting textures, and button-up shirts in unexpected fabrics all feel achievable for contemporary wardrobes. Nothing looks costume-y or impractical – these are clothes you could wear today.

Cultural references feel organic rather than forced. The film draws inspiration from 1970s silhouettes and earth-toned palettes while incorporating modern fabric technologies and contemporary fits. This blend creates familiarity without nostalgia, suggesting evolution rather than revolution in menswear.

The supporting characters offer equally compelling style lessons. Theodore’s friend Amy dresses with casual sophistication that feels effortless, while other characters demonstrate how different personalities might approach this evolved approach to dressing.

Style Lessons You Can Steal

Her‘s color palette offers immediate inspiration for contemporary wardrobes. The film emphasizes warm earth tones – rust, terracotta, deep browns, muted oranges – that feel both sophisticated and approachable. These colors work particularly well for fall and winter wardrobes, offering alternatives to the usual navy and gray without being loud or attention-seeking.

Theodore’s approach to layering provides a masterclass in texture mixing and proportional balance. He combines fine-gauge knits with structured outerwear, pairs soft fabrics with more substantial pieces, and layers different weights of material without creating bulk. His outfits demonstrate how thoughtful layering can add visual interest while maintaining comfort and mobility.

Specific outfit combinations throughout the film offer directly applicable inspiration. High-waisted trousers paired with tucked-in knit sweaters create a sophisticated silhouette that works for both casual and professional contexts. Soft, unstructured blazers over textured shirts provide polish without formality. The film proves that elevated casual wear doesn’t require sacrificing comfort or personal expression.

The attention to fit deserves particular notice. Theodore’s clothes sit comfortably on his frame without being loose or sloppy. This approach to fit prioritizes ease of movement and comfort while maintaining a polished appearance – a balance that works well for contemporary lifestyles that blur the lines between casual and professional dressing.

Fabric and Texture Innovation

The film’s approach to fabrics feels both futuristic and immediately accessible. Sweaters appear to be made from incredibly soft, fine-gauge materials that drape beautifully. Shirts feature interesting textures and weaves that add visual depth without being flashy. Outerwear combines structure with softness, suggesting technical innovation without looking overly technical.

This focus on fabric quality over obvious designer details offers a valuable lesson for building a contemporary wardrobe. Investing in pieces with interesting textures, superior hand-feel, and quality construction creates more visual interest than logos or trendy details.

Emotional Authenticity in Dressing

Perhaps most importantly, Her demonstrates how clothing can reflect emotional authenticity rather than social positioning. Theodore dresses for his own comfort and self-expression rather than to signal status or conform to masculine stereotypes. This approach feels revolutionary in its simplicity – clothes as tools for personal comfort and authentic self-presentation.

The film suggests a future where men’s clothing has evolved beyond rigid categories and expectations, embracing emotional nuance and personal preference. This vision feels both aspirational and achievable, requiring shifts in attitude rather than dramatic changes in available clothing options.

Worth the Rewatch

Her proves that great style inspiration doesn’t always come from fashion-focused films. Sometimes the most compelling approach to dressing emerges from stories about the deep human desire to gain emotional connection. The film’s vision of evolved menswear offers practical inspiration while suggesting possibilities for how men might dress in a more emotionally intelligent future.

This is a movie worth watching for its beautiful, albeit striking in these modern times, story about love and technology, then rewatching with attention to its subtle but sophisticated approach to contemporary menswear. The style lessons feel both immediate and forward-thinking – exactly what great costume design should accomplish.

The editorial team at FashionBeans is your trusted partner in redefining modern men’s style. Established in 2007, FashionBeans has evolved into a leading authority in men’s fashion, with millions of readers seeking practical advice, expert insights, and real-world inspiration for curating their wardrobe and lifestyle.
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