How Demi Moore’s ‘Ghost’ Look Redefined ’90s Style—and Her Timeless Red Carpet Shoe Game

Demi Moore’s breakout role as Molly Jensen in Ghost (1990) launched her into Hollywood superstardom and cemented her status as a cultural and fashion icon. The film’s massive success—and her now-iconic pixie cut—helped redefine onscreen femininity and propelled her into the spotlight as both an actress and a style muse.

In relaxed overalls and a knotted headscarf, Demi Moore channels effortless ’90s workwear chic in Ghost, her androgynous pixie cut completing a look that redefined onscreen femininity (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

A Fashion Triumph: Demi Moore Turns Heads at the 2025 Met Gala

Decades later, Moore proved her enduring relevance at the 2025 Met Gala, where she stunned in an avant-garde black-and-white Thom Browne gown.

Demi Moore commands attention at the 2025 Met Gala in a sculptural black-and-white Thom Browne gown with a dramatic circular headpiece, paired with bold earrings, sparkling bangles, and two-tone heels that echo the look’s graphic elegance (Credit: Matt Crossick / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Honoring the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” her sculptural look—featuring a circular halo-like headpiece, dramatic smoky eyes, and a sleek bun—was a master class in red carpet elegance.

The elongated silhouette and towering headpiece subtly elevated her petite 5-foot-4½-inch (approximately 163.8 cm) frame, reinforcing Moore’s status as a timeless force in both film and fashion.

Demi Moore completes her Met Gala 2025 look with black-and-white platform heels adorned with a playful pom-pom detail, adding both height and whimsical contrast to her structured Thom Browne gown (Credit: Matt Crossick / PA Images / INSTARimages)

Filming for Ghost began in July 1989, when Demi Moore was 26. Born on November 11, 1962, in Roswell, New Mexico, she turned 27 later that year.

Praised for her performance, she earned a Golden Globe nomination. Patrick Swayze, born August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas, was 36 during filming and turned 37 that August. The film premiered on July 13, 1990, through Paramount Pictures.

Iconic Ghost Fashion: Demi Moore’s 1990s Look That Defined a Generation

She took a few pot-throwing lessons to prepare for the pottery wheel scene, recognized as one of the most iconic moments of ’90s cinema.

According to Wendy Leigh’s biography “Patrick Swayze: One Last Dance,” which you can buy on Amazon, Swayze rehearsed the pottery scene with his wife, Lisa Niemi, to overcome his embarrassment.

Demi Moore’s loose, sleeveless white shirt in the iconic pottery scene from Ghost underscores the vulnerability and sensuality of the moment, set to “Unchained Melody”—a cinematic image that remains one of pop culture’s most enduring (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

“I just didn’t want my pot to wobble,” Demi said in a Ghost featurette about the pottery scene. “It was like a sure-fire sign that I was no good, and I was faking it.”

“When we did the rehearsal, I just remember that it was sexy enough that it embarrassed Patrick and Demi a little bit when they were doing it,” director Zucker said on the Ghost DVD commentary.”

On “The Drew Barrymore Show” in February 2024, Moore shared that she still keeps the “pitiful” pots, which hold special significance following Swayze’s passing in 2009 due to pancreatic cancer.

“Well, the first thing that just popped into my head was meeting Patrick Swayze for the first time going, ‘Oh you know trying to figure out his thing,'” Moore told Barrymore about the pottery scene. “And then he took his shirt off and I was like, ‘Oh, got it. Get on behind me.'”

Patrick Swayze as Sam Wheat, a spectral figure on a quest for justice and protection for his girlfriend Molly Jensen, played by Demi Moore, in ‘Ghost’ (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Reflecting on Ghost: Demi Moore on the Movie’s Lasting Cultural Impact

Already known for her roles in Blame It on Rio (1984), St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), and About Last Night… (1986), Ghost made Demi Moore one of the highest-paid actresses of all time.

She talked about the movie in April 2013 at a 2013 AFI Night at the Movies screening of Ghost.

It’s shocking to think this movie was made 25 years ago and being a part of something that has had the beauty of truly standing up against the test of time. I was trying to think about what I could share with you that you don’t already know, and I was thinking about being a young actress and getting this script that Joe Rubin had written and finding it so fascinating and different.

It’s a love story, and it’s a guy—a dead guy—trying to save his wife—and there is a comedy part, but really, really it’s a love story, and I thought, Wow, this is really a recipe for disaster. [Laughs] It’s either going to be something really special, really amazing, or really an absolute bust, and the beauty of being at the beginning of your career, and it’s important to remember at any stage of your life is taking the risk is always where the reward is, and I think the beauty in this film is that none of us knew, and the alchemy that came together with Whoopi [Goldberg] and Patrick [Swayze], and our film editor, Walter Murch, and Adam Greenberg, our DP, it just had magic.

What’s interesting is that I learned one really big lesson from this film, which is that I went to see it and everyone was moved.

I loved it and was so excited for it to come out, and everyone said the reviews were coming out!’ and they were HORRIBLE! We were panned across the board, and I thought, Wow, this is really not good.

Director Jerry Zucker takes the helm in his solo directorial debut with ‘Ghost’, a film that redefined romantic thrillers (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

It’s something that touches people’s heart, it transcends and has comforted people’s soul in great loss and it has instilled a sense of hope and magic that those we love are always still with us. And I’m truly grateful to have been part of this film, and I’m honored to be sharing with you tonight.

I thank AFI and Target for bringing together this magical night for you to see it on the big screen.

I’m sure there was a huge boon in pottery classes that they hadn’t seen since macrame, Birkenstocks, and hairy legs were in fashion.

Decades after Ghost cemented her as a cultural icon, Demi Moore continued to captivate on the red carpet with her bold fashion choices and timeless elegance.

Vintage Glamour: Demi Moore Wears Zac Posen to the 2016 SAG Awards

In January 2016, Ghost actress Demi Moore turned heads at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Demi Moore exudes elegance at the 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards with her sophisticated updo and dramatic attire on January 30, 2016, at The Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

At the SAG Awards, the mom-of-three took to the stage to present the Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture award to the cast of “Spotlight.”

Demi Moore stuns in a bespoke black Zac Posen gown at the SAG Awards, turning heads with her timeless style (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

She wore a long black Gothic-romantic dress that fit her like a glove. The collared dress had short sleeves and ruffled detailing at the trimming and hemline.

Demi Moore stuns in a Gothic black gown from Zac Posen (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

It also featured a low-cut neckline and sheer striped detailing that showed her underwear. The dress was by Zac Posen, but not from the latest collection. Demi dug into her closet and pulled out this beautiful, more than a decade-old creation.

Demi Moore wears bronze-colored makeup on the red carpet (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

The American fashion designer was surprised to see the actress wearing a vintage piece from his spring 2003 collection — his second collection ever!

He took to Instagram to express his excitement, posting two photos and a video of Demi walking in his creation.

Demi Moore wears a vintage Zac Posen gown on the black carpet of the SAG Awards (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

The “Indecent Proposal” star accessorized the black number with sparkling jewelry, including silver-and-black drop earrings and bangles on both wrists.

She wore her raven hair in a chic updo and let a few tendrils frame her gorgeously made-up face. Demi rounded out her look with a pair of Christian Louboutin “Body Strass” pumps from the brand’s Fall 2013 collection.

A close-up of Demi Moore’s dazzling Christian Louboutin ‘Body Strass’ pumps, adding a touch of sparkle to her SAG Awards ensemble (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

They are made of mesh with leather trims, crystal embellishments, and about 4.7-inch heels.

Demi Moore’s feet in black “Body Strass” pumps (Credit: FayesVision / Brian To / WENN)

Stepping Out in Style: Demi Moore’s Most Iconic Heels on the Red Carpet

Demi Moore has consistently captivated audiences with her impeccable fashion sense, often highlighted by her exquisite choice of footwear. Here are some of her most memorable shoe moments:

Golden Glamour at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards

• Event: 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
• Outfit: Demi Moore dazzled in a custom gold Armani Privé gown adorned with shimmering Swarovski crystals.
• Footwear: She elevated her look with towering Christian Louboutin ‘Cross Me’ heels, featuring chic peep toes and elegant cross ankle straps, adding height to her 5’4½” stature.
• Read more: Demi Moore’s Golden Globes Triumph: Armani Gown & Louboutin Heels

Navy Elegance at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards

• Event: 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards
• Outfit: Moore opted for a sophisticated navy dress by Schiaparelli, featuring layers of hand-cut duchesse satin ribbons and an embellished strapless neckline.
• Footwear: She complemented her ensemble with navy satin pumps from Schiaparelli’s Fall 2024 Haute Couture collection, distinguished by crystal ball accents on the vamp and heel base.
• See more: The 2025 Critics Choice Awards Red Carpet

Crystal Mesh Glamour at the Dolce & Gabbana Exhibition

• Event: Dolce & Gabbana’s 40th Anniversary Exhibition
• Outfit: Demi turned heads in a see-through crystal mesh gown that shimmered under the event lights.
• Footwear: She completed her look with strappy black sandals, featuring open toes and 4-inch heels, adding a touch of elegance to her ensemble.
• Discover more: Demi Moore’s Mesmerizing Style at Dolce & Gabbana Exhibition

Retro Chic at the ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’ Event

• Event: ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’ For Your Consideration Event
• Outfit: Embracing vintage glamour, Moore wore an all-black ensemble reminiscent of 1950s elegance.
• Footwear: She paired her outfit with classic black Christian Louboutin ‘Marchavekel’ d’Orsay pumps, enhancing the retro vibe of her look.
• See her look: Demi Moore and Naomi Watts Dazzle in Designer Heels at ‘Feud’ Event

Coordinated Chic with Scout Willis

• Event: Fashion Outing with Daughter Scout Willis
• Outfit: Demi and Scout showcased their close bond with coordinated outfits, exuding effortless style.
• Footwear: Moore opted for sleek black satin Le Silla shoes, perfectly complementing her ensemble.
• Explore her style: Demi Moore and Scout Willis Radiate Joy in Coordinated Outfits

These moments underscore Demi Moore’s versatility and keen eye for footwear, which enhances her fashion statements.

Where to Buy Demi Moore’s Christian Louboutin Shoes (and Similar Styles)

These Christian Louboutin pumps are no longer available, but a similar style called “Follies Lace” can be purchased at Mytheresa and Nordstrom.

Christian Louboutin “Follies Lace” Pumps, $795