Yes, the plot is ludicrous: a shop dummy comes to life and falls in love with a window dresser. Yes, it's a lot more sinister if you imagine the whole thing is happening in Andrew McCarthy's imagination. And no, it doesn't make any sense for a fair-haired American to have come from Ancient Egypt. But there's a reason why we watched Mannequin approximately 4000 times during our childhood – and that reason is Kim Cattrall's wardrobe.

Maybe you thought Samantha in Sex and the City had a lot of outfits. How naive you were. Outside of a Britney tour, there have never been so many costume changes in the space of 90 minutes as Kim manages here. In every scene she wears a completely different look, from clubwear to a swimsuit to a (spoiler alert!) full-on bridal meringue. But then what else would you expect of a mannequin? Dressing up is literally her job.

Here's every fashion reason why Kim Cattrall's performance in Mannequin must never be forgotten.

1. Meet Emmy, a 20th-century girl in a cruel Ancient Egyptian world.

She's a sassy young lady from 2514 BC, with a plan to time-travel into the future. She does this by dressing up as a mummy, hiding in a crypt and saying a few prayers to the Egyptian gods. (Look, to be honest, the technicalities of it are a bit vague. Don't overthink it.)

2. Behold! She's reborn a mannequin in 1987 Philadelphia. 

Admittedly this isn't Kim Cattrall, but look at that perm! Andrew McCarthy truly is an artistic genius.

3. She's aliiiiiiive! 

...Or if he's imagining it, then this is the bit where Mannequin becomes a psychological thriller, like Black Swan.

That sequinned straw hat and salmon pink dress – what a look. It's New York power dressing meets country ranch chic.

4. Sporty. And the perm is gone. Does Emmy have a selection of wigs? Because presumably a mannequin's hair isn't attached to its scalp.

Alas, this is one of the many unanswered questions of the film – along with 'Why is she here again?' and 'Would the entire city of Philadelphia really be so excited about those window displays?'

5. Er, satin pyjama suit anyone? Totally on-trend. 

Andrew McCarthy is really letting the side down in his Chandler Bing blouson shirt and chinos. Could she be any more out of his league?

6. Well hello there, totally inexplicable Bugsy Malone tribute.

We're now into the dressing-up/falling-in-love montage, which, when we first saw it aged 7, was pretty much the most exciting three minutes of cinema we'd ever witnessed.

7. Yes, that IS a crop top with matching printed mid-length skirt.

Thought Sarah Jessica Parker was the one with the abs, didn't you?

8. A ballgown inspired by that purple Quality Street everyone likes so much.

And yes, we're still in the dressing-up montage.

9. Kim's gone punk. Andrew's trying to keep up but looks like a nerd in a high-school play.

Considering this is the woman who screamed 'Where do they hide all the instruments?!' at the stereo a mere half-montage ago, she's really got her head around modern culture quickly.

10. A holiday look with a casual side pony.

The poor girl looks freezing.

11. Happily, she's found a coat. But Andrew McCarthy does not approve of fur.

WAIT, hang on!

Side note: this is the sexiest bit of the entire film, and we're still in that montage.

12. This batwing shirt is perfect for doing a skippy, arm-swinging 1980s dance a la Molly Ringwald in The Breakfast Club.

And, end of montage.

13. Tomorrow morning, this cycling-themed window display is going to blow the minds of everyone in the city. Huge crowds will gather. As a result of his window successes, Andrew McCarthy will quickly be made vice-president of the department store.

No, really. That's what happens. They give a huge, lucrative promotion to the weird guy who's having a relationship with an inanimate mannequin.

14. Here's Kim again, perching on an unconscious bad guy. 

Mannequin is basically Home Alone, but instead of Macauley Culkin wearing his dad's aftershave, it's Kim Cattrall wearing a lot of body oil.

15. Why would Prince & Co be selling these pilot goggles that presumably haven't been bought by anyone since the 1930s? Did Kim bring them with her from the past?

Let's not quibble; she's totally pulling off the Biggles look.

16. Even though this scene happens just moments later, Kim has found time to knock up a quick chignon, slip into a Victorian blouse and pop on some cameo jewellery.

This is why we love this film.

17. Kim's ladylike pastel frock is totally in tune with the roses, the Imperial Leather soap and the peach-coloured toilet roll of the ladies' loos...

...where she conducts her illicit romantic moments with Andrew.

18. Pure 1980s glamour. Everyone wanted a feathered fringe like this, back in the day.

Look how winsome Kim Cattrall used to be, pre-Samantha. 

19. She's a real live girl!

A mannequin no more (due to some sort of magic. No idea why. Just go with it), Kim is free to put on a proper 80s wedding dress and tie the knot. In fact, she can live her life like a real woman, leaving the store and everything. You might even say that nothing's gonna stop her now. Sorry.

(For more of the delightful starlet that was Kim Cattrall: The Early Years, watch her being interviewed by Joan Rivers in 1987.)