TV Shows & Fashion; Can the TV Shows We Watch Influence What’s in Our Closet?
El Fahey
Did you know that searches on Depop with the word “Euphoria” increased by over 345 percent when season two of the hit television series was released this past January?
The media has always played a critical role in fashion trendsetting because we naturally become influenced by what we are surrounded with. However, since COVID-19 struck, the influence of television on fashion seems to have grown at a faster pace. While we were sitting at home streaming different shows during the Covid lockdown, we drew style inspiration from the characters we saw on screen rather than the outside world.
Because there is a wider variety of the different stories told in modern shows, there are more diverse characters that help people find characters they can relate to. TV representation and inclusion has evolved tremendously over the past 20 years, especially on streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Representing more races, genders, ethnicities, lifestyles, and body types on screen can give anybody a chance to take inspiration from a character’s style and connect with the character on a deeper level. Different cultures can be reflected in a character’s personal style, which sheds light on fashion trends that have been appropriated by other groups despite initially being popularized by POCs.
Also, unlike movies, viewers have the ability to watch the characters evolve throughout multiple episodes and seasons, where we can follow different juicy or comedic storylines. But more importantly, the shows give us a sense of the characters’ wardrobes and personal tastes. This makes the style of each character become recognizable to viewers, making people want to dress more like them. For example, in Euphoria, each character has their own fashion aesthetic. Maddy Perez, a character from the hit series, is widely known for her dark Y2K fashion, consisting of cowl necks and faux fur collared cardigans. One of her iconic outfits from season one was a matching set with cutout pants and a crop top in a deep purple. It became a hit trend to dress in this specific outfit on Halloween over the past three years. On the other hand, Jules Vaugn, another main character, wears more pastel colors with a hint of Anime style and 90s punk.
Layla Topiwalla ’26 is an avid fan of Euphoria and looks for ways to take inspiration from her favorite character’s personal style.
“Maddy isn’t afraid to be herself and to go above and beyond in her style to make herself good. Personally, I take inspiration from her usage of color and glitter, and specific pieces like her light blue fur cuffed fishnet top or denim mini skirts. In general, I just love that her style reflects her self-confidence, and I try to emulate that quality as much as possible,” Topiwalla said.
Television shows have the ability to give relatability to viewers. Because viewers get to watch each character develop, they can become more attached to them. We are often influenced by what we surround ourselves with, so psychologically, we begin to see ourselves in the characters over time, which inspires us to dress and even mimic their behaviors. Watching characters through a screen offers a sense of escapism for us into another world, whether it be in the early years of the 19th century in London or in a 90s apartment in New York City.
Shows set in different eras give leeway for people to take inspiration from the clothes they wear, too; these shows reintroduce us to the fashion of the past! Take the Netflix series, Bridgerton, for example. The Victorian style of clothing has been making a comeback in modern-day fashion, with bustier tops, empire waists, and more delicate floral pieces. The 90s sitcom, Friends, gives viewers insight into the unique fashion of the decade from Monica, Phoebe, and Rachel. Monica, for example, who wore more simple outfits consisting of high-waisted jeans, form-fitting shirts, and oversized knit sweaters, was a large fan of Levi 501s, a staple in many people’s closets today.
An extra benefit that comes from the influence of television fashion is that now, costume designers are given larger budgets now and more creative freedom and are becoming a driving force in what trends are still in and out. For example, in the first season of Bridgerton, the show’s costume designer created 1,800 dresses and spent over $80,000 in total. However, because purchasing clothing can be overly expensive, some costume directors have acknowledged this and have begun trying to make the clothes the actors wear more affordable. This way, viewers could still be influenced and dress like what they see in their favorite shows. For example, in the show Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw is dressed in high-end items with a mix of retro style with thrifted pieces, like colorful midi skirts, basic fitted tank tops, and patterned jackets.
Jordan Henry ’26 is always looking for ways to follow the stylish fashion trends on-screen by opting for the more affordable option when purchasing clothes.
“I love hand-me-downs, especially many classic pieces from my mom’s closet. If you ever ask me where I got something that I am wearing, my most likely answer will be ‘Oh that’s my mom’s!’ Some of the classic pieces I have curated from second-hand shopping are Oxford collared shirts, basic t-shirts, and bootcut jeans. Some may think that the style is plain, but I think it’s classic,” Henry said.
Next time you’re watching your favorite show, think to yourself about how you can incorporate the style of your favorite character on screen into your own closet!
Visuals by Madeleine Kaptein
Editor’s note:
As with all trends in the 2020s, if feels like only a mere hours after an episode airs or movie is released until advertisements for cheap dupes of the character’s outfits are already circling the internet. For a deeper dive into sustainability and fashion, see Maya’s article or our ‘Green Column’