Long before we had social media to indulge our never-ending thirst for shopping (remember those times?), we looked to another type of screen to provide us with outfit inspiration; the TV.
Whether we were copying the cute 90s outfits and hairstyles from Friends, the vampy aesthetics from Buffy or drawing the ultimate fall outfit inspo from Gilmore Girls, TV and film have long been more than just a means of entertainment.
The silver screen and fashion have had a long-standing relationship with each other; just look at Gucci’s most recent campaign which pays homage to the films of Stanley Kubrick.
But it’s not just in the realms of high fashion where TV’s influence can be found: social media is prolific with outfit inspiration and make up ideas stemming from our favourite shows. Even the most colourful dresser will have found themselves tempted to trade neon for noir after watching Netflix’s Wednesday, and many a fashion meme has stemmed from Sex and The City’s reboot And Just Like That.
If 2022 was all about feeling like the main character, then 2023 is going to be about dressing like one. Below, I break down the signature styles of some of the best characters Netflix has to offer, and how you can recreate these Netflix character outfits from the high street.
Emily Cooper in Emily in Paris
Love it or hate it, Emily in Paris has gifted us with some of the most joyful and ostentatious Netflix character outfits since Carrie Bradshaw. Fun fact: Patricia Field, who worked on the original SATC series, has since moved on to be a consulting costume designer for Emily in Paris, which is why you might have noticed a certain Carrie-esque approach to her outfits.
Shop the look
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
But fashion insider knowledge aside, let’s look a little deeper at Emily’s outfits. Her wardrobe on the show consists heavily of designer and vintage high fashion pieces, from Valentino to Vivienne Westwood, but that doesn’t mean you have to fork out a mortgage-worthy sum to recreate her looks.
Focus on clashing prints, bright colours, interesting silhouettes (the bigger the bows the better), and of course, statement handbags. Basically, do the reverse of Coco Chanel’s quote “When putting on accessories, take off the last thing you’ve put on.” More is more.
Wednesday Addams in Wednesday
With a wardrobe that’s 99% black, it’s no secret that I was thrilled to see Wednesday’s aesthetic getting its rightful dues when the newest iteration of the Addams Family story dropped. As immediately identifiable as her black pigtails, Wednesday’s signature black and white wardrobe serves as an extension of her no-frills personality.
Shop the look
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
Luckily, this makes recreating her wardrobe easy. Just remember Morticia’s deadpan line: “Wednesday’s allergic to colour”, and you’re halfway there. The main elements of her looks include white-on-black Peter Pan collars, black and white striped or checked tops, chunky-soled loafers, and who could forget the scene-stealing tulle dress.
Eleven in Stranger Things
For some millennials, the spookiest thing about Stranger Things isn’t the demonic monsters or creepy alternate dimensions: it’s the return of the Eighties outfits. While you might want to leave bad perms and XL shoulder pads in the past, there are a few 80s gems that have been coming back in style, worn best by the shows ultimate bad-ass, Eleven.
For the later series, Eleven ditched the pink dress for a more rebellious wardrobe: think The Breakfast Club and Ferris Buellers Day Off. Statement t-shirts are a staple of her wardrobe, as is mom-style denim, plaid shirts, retro sneakers, with a few scrunchies thrown in for good measure.
Shop the look
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
Kate Sharma in Bridgerton
Who doesn’t love a period drama for Netflix character outfits? The extravagant parties, the 5-minute monologues of love (always in the rain), and of course, the decadent gowns. While it might not always be possible to run around in a floor-length dress that took 2 people to fasten, you can still bring some regency glamour to your wardrobe in 2023.
Opt for dresses that incorporate a modern take on empire waistlines, embrace square necklines, delicate shoes and statement necklaces (the bigger the diamonds the better).
Shop the look
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
Have fun with accessories here too, which can add a touch of regency to an otherwise modern outfit; think velvet bows, statement headbands and past the elbow gloves which, while might not be suitable for every day, make a classy addition to a cocktail dress or New Years Eve outfit.
More on Netflix outfit ideas:
- Wednesday Addams style: Why every outfit is trending right now
- The anti-Wednesday Addams edit: All her signature looks, but make them colourful
- Why Emily in Paris outfits are your unexpected New Year’s Eve style inspiration
- Wednesday Addams lip colour: the best stains for goth chic
Princess Diana in The Crown
While there was much contention over which parts of the The Crown had been fabricated, we can all agree that it delivered on the depiction of Princess Diana and her iconic style.
Her off-the-shoulder little black revenge dress was a lesson in what to wear when you know you’re going to see an ex, and she often swapped the 80s power suit for a blazer and skirt which added a more feminine edge. Accessories-wise, her short hair and minimal makeup meant her collection of gold hoops and pearl statement earrings looked classic and never over the top.
Shop the look
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
My favourite Diana outfits are her off-duty looks. The series’ depictions of Diana in her ‘day to day life’ feature oversized college sweaters, cycling shorts, chunky dad trainers, as well as my favourite outfit of a structured blazer coupled with turtleneck and leggings. The ultimate Sloane ranger.
Rachel Green in Friends
While not a Netflix original, Friend’s gets an honorable mention for a) being the most anticipated show to be brought onto the streaming platform and b) doing the most when it comes to 90s outfit inspiration.
Rachel Green might be the face that launched a thousand requests for ‘The Rachel’ haircut, but she was also serving major looks throughout the series. A black mini skirt and tights are an absolute must when recreating her wardrobe, as are variations of turtlenecks which make for a simple yet classic starting point for any Rachel-inspired outfit.
Shop the look
*Eliza may earn commission on sales from these product links
Other staples of the decade that she wore throughout the series include knee high black boots, strappy slip dresses and leather maxi skirts. My favourite part about this style (chicness aside) is how easily these individual pieces will pair with the rest of your wardrobe.
;
