13 Stylish TV Shows That Will Provide You With Your Next Fashion Fix
When we decide to watch a series, we’re probably drawn in by the plot. But many of us stick around for the outfits. A good wardrobe can elevate a TV show, and the bold fashion choices of characters have the potential to outshine even the wildest storyline. There have been innumerable fashion icons throughout the history of television, and diving back through decades-gone-by provides us with the inspiration to freshen up our aesthetic. So if you’re searching for your next fashion fix, look no further than the following shows.
Killing Eve
That iconic Amsterdam outfit (okay, I know there’s more than one). But the one where Villanelle pairs a Rosie Assoulin shirt with vintage Christian Lacroix earrings? It will forever be imprinted in my mind as one of the most breath-taking outfits to ever grace the small screen. The same can be said for most of the assassin’s wardrobe, which serves as a considerable portion of the show’s allure. Fashion is Villanelle’s love language, handpicking luxury dresses for her obsession, Eve. Every single outfit she wears is killer, even when she’s dressing up as Konstantin or wearing pop art PJs.
Scandal
Whether or not she’s donning her metaphorical white hat, nobody quite wears the colour like Olivia Pope. The professional fixer puts the power in power suit, showcasing her enviable workplace style in every episode. Olivia deals with life and death situations on the daily, putting us all to shame as she looks impeccable doing so. She’s seldom seen without her Prada bags as she marches around D.C., cleaning up the mess left behind by the political elite.
Emily in Paris
Just like our love-hate relationship with the show’s eponymous protagonist, opinions on her style proves to be just as vacillating. But since the legendary Sex and the City costume designer – Patricia Field – oversees fashion on the show, her outfits mostly hit. Emily’s style is as audacious as she is and definitely not ringarde! Camille, Mindy and Sylvie also bring their fair share of fashionable flair to the show, whilst the love interest, Gabriel, manages to look good in anything. We can’t wait to see what Emily and co will be wearing next season.
Friends
Though the New Yorkers had plenty of personal ups and downs, their lifestyle was beyond enviable, all the way down to their wardrobes. Since 90’s fashion made its radical revival, the habitual re-watching of Friends has become all the more worthwhile. Rachel’s quintessentially 90’s miniskirts and double-denim looks. Monica’s hold over the colour red and 501 Levi’s jeans. Phoebe’s boho aesthetic that perfectly matches her energy. Each character undeniably has a perfectly curated closet tailored to their personality, but whose are you raiding?
Gossip Girl
On and off BFFs Blair and Serena strike the perfect balance between contrasting and complementing each other’s style. Blair has a penchant for plaid and all things preppy (right down to those signature headbands), whilst Serena favours vintage accents to tie together her boho look. Money was no object for the girls, who were spotted with designer bags in tow more than they seemed to be at school. Teen audiences spent the show’s lifespan desperately trying to recreate their outfits to embody the Upper East Sider’s lifestyle.
Empire
Who could ever forget the time that Cookie pressed her strappy gold heels against a man’s throat to get information out of him? The music mogul’s outfits were always the biggest talking points from Empire episodes, and rightly so! Costume designer Paolo Nieddu dressed Taraji P. Henson in maximalist pieces, from head-to-toe leopard print to bold furs: Cookie pulls it all off. Staying true to 90’s hip-hop fashion, her wardrobe is a display of wealth with showstopping designer garments and over the top jewellery.
WandaVision
Since we move through the decades each episode, WandaVision showcases emblematic outfits and hairstyles from each fashion era for both men and women, adorned by the titular characters. From her Audrey Hepburn inspired boatneck wedding dress to her iconic Halloween costume, Wanda has the perfect outfit for any occasion, during any period! The 70’s episode is a particular highlight, with Monica Rambeau stealing the show in a very competitive field.
You
What is it about serial killers and their innate ability to dress impeccably? Love Quinn is much more subtle than Villanelle, favouring autumnal hues over popping pinks. Between clocking her neighbours over the head with a rolling pin and caring for her newborn son, Love clearly must squeeze in some much-needed retail therapy. Mom-fluencer Sherry also burst onto the scene in season 3, always looking picture-perfect in glamourous athleisure.
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Hilary Banks is such a slept-on fashion icon from the 90’s. Her introductory line of dialogue, “Dad, I need $300”, perfectly epitomises her shopaholic tendencies. Her late 80’s inspired shoulder-padded blazers prove that she is the master of power dressing, and her LBDs are timelessly stunning. Younger sister Ashley grows into her style, wearing outfits that Gen Z would eat right up. The Banks Sisters refused to be outdone by Will’s brightly coloured ensembles, and even Carlton’s sweater vests have found their way into the fashion mainstream during 2021.
The Queen’s Gambit
Beth Harmon favours a colour pallet that mildly resembles a chessboard. We can’t blame her though, cream and black are a winning combo. The sleek and stylish 60’s serves as the backdrop of the show, bringing retro fashion, such as shift dresses and Peter Pan collars, back to our attention. In the final scene, Beth wears an all-white outfit, finished with a distinctively shaped hat. Who knew someone would take fashion inspo from a chess piece and look flawless doing it?
The Serpent
Going ahead a decade to the 70’s, Jenna Coleman’s character in The Serpent serves up staples from the era: printed headscarves, flared trousers and geometric patterns galore. Her stylish curtain bangs will tempt you to grab the scissors and chop your own, and purchase a pair of retro sunglasses to get the look! Her outfits are everything, but the character’s position as an accomplice to her serial killer boyfriend is definitely unnerving.
How To Get Away With Murder
Annalise Keating knows her way around a wardrobe almost as much as she knows her way around the courtroom. Professor Keating could easily take her signature walk down the runway wearing her business-ready bodycon dresses and bold jewellery. We even get to see Annalise’s favoured five go from students to masters of fashion throughout the series. Shondaland shows perfectly tailor costumes to best reflect both the character and the actor portraying them.
Sex and the City
You didn’t think we’d miss out TV’s most coveted wardrobe, did you? Carrie Bradshaw has had a lasting impact on fashion, taking brands from obscurity to the big names we know and love today. Costume designer, Patricia Field, delivers sartorial excellence in every single episode. Whether your style is trendsetting like Carrie, packs a sultry punch like Samantha, is pretty and preppy like Charlotte, or just as comfortably powerful as Miranda, the women continue to have a lasting impact on fashion.
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