When people talk about fashion in film, they usually jump straight to high-glamour icons — Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Marie Antoinette, Clueless.
But horror? Horror has always been the punk cousin of fashion — subversive, dangerous, and decades ahead of the curve.
Being the creator of a brand like Lowbrow Antics, I love women of horror not just for their grit and survival instincts, but for their unforgettable aesthetic. These are the ones who blend terror with taste — their looks telling us just as much as their bloodcurdling screams.
Here are a few underrated women of horror whose style moments deserve their own standing ovation.
1. Mima Kirigoe — Perfect Blue (1997)
Mima’s journey from idol to psychological breakdown is drenched in city-pop and paranoia. Her glossy idol costumes contrast sharply with her later descent into minimalism — satin replaced by basics. It’s a look that’s both hyper-feminine and deeply haunting.
Style Takeaway: Contradictions are powerful. Don’t be afraid to mix sweet with sinister — a glossy pink lip with a cold metal earring, a girlish dress paired with some of the statement horror jewelry pieces offered here.
2. Anna — Possession (1981)
Isabelle Adjani’s Anna is a fashion enigma. Her icy elegance, oversized frames, and wide-eyed intensity make her one of the most visually arresting women in horror history. Her blue dress alone — soaked in madness and mystery — deserves museum status.
Style Takeaway: Channel emotional chaos into chic minimalism. Crisp silhouettes and monochrome tones can feel hauntingly modern when paired with strange, sculptural accessories.
3. Miriam Blaylock — The Hunger (1983)
Catherine Deneuve’s vampiric allure is an icy luxury — sharp suits, silk scarves, and all-black dressings. She isn’t just a vampire; she’s the blueprint for high-femme gothic couture.
Style Takeaway: Channel your inner immortal. Monochrome layers, gold accents, and smooth silhouettes never die.
4. May Dove Canady — May (2002)
Angela Bettis’s May is a lonely seamstress with a love of dolls, vintage textures, and soft, guarded femininity. Her delicate blouses and retro skirts hide something darker — a quiet descent into handcrafted horror.
Style Takeaway: Celebrate imperfection. Pair sweet, handmade-feeling accessories with a touch of eerie asymmetry. Creepy and cute belong together!
5. Suzy Bannion — Suspiria (1977)
Jessica Harper’s Suzy is wide-eyed innocence dropped into a Technicolor nightmare. The ballet academy’s crimson walls and pastel wardrobes create an uncanny visual tension — everything beautiful is just slightly off, but that's what makes it so striking.
Style Takeaway: Beauty and horror coexist. Mix delicate, feminine details with unexpected colors or billowy silhouettes.
Why Horror Style Endures
The women of horror — the victims, villains, and everything in between — use fashion the way horror uses metaphor. Their clothing isn’t just costuming; it’s storytelling.
From Mima’s unraveling identity to Anna’s emotional collapse, these women have always understood what the fashion world only recently caught up to: style is power, and horror is the rawest mirror of the self.
At Lowbrow Antics, every earring, print, and pin pays tribute to that legacy — handcrafted pieces for cinephiles who see beauty in the strange, the eerie, and the unforgettable cult charm of it all. Shop the full collection of Jewelry, Accessories, and Art here.