Here’s a list of some of the binge-worthy shows where unparalleled style sublimates the storyline and characters
By Manish Mishra
There are few artistic mediums that gel as well as fashion and film. A symbiotic coming together of two distinctive genres where characters express their emotions through the power of clothing and where fashion takes the series’ narrative forward. Let’s admit it, we’ve all revisited shows like Gossip Girl, Mad Men, Downton Abbey and Emily in Paris for their gorgeous styling, fashion-forward storytelling, true-to-period-specific detailing and larger-than-life costumes. While Gossip Girl style was a love letter to old-school Hollywood when stars went all out and dressed up in couture, Mad Men brought back the Sixties and the Seventies. Downton Abbey set in the Twenties charmed us with the flapper-era energy of the English upper class. Here’s the lowdown on some of the high fashion shows and series which we never get tired of rewatching.
Mad Men (2007)
Don Draper played by Jon Hamm and Betty Draper essayed by January Jones easily remain the TV world’s most stylish couple. We know they’re incompatible yet we root for them because we love how they look together. While Don looks handsome in an array of ’60s style skinny tailored suits crafted in heritage textiles, Betty complements him with her cinched-at-the-waist flared dresses and big hair. According to Forbes, between 1998 and 2014 suit sales doubled in the US (this TV drama aired from 2007 until 2015). Mad Men-inspired collections from Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic attested to that. Costume designer Janie Bryant brought back the swinging Sixties when men were partial to skinny suits, slim ties, flat front trousers, lapels, tie bars and collar bars. January Jones who essays the complicated yet charming Betty sports headbands, polka-dotted dresses and dusters. When Don and Betty are on a holiday in Rome, she slays it in a slinky LBD and a beehive bun. Don’s second wife Megan Calvet played by Jessica Paré, on the other hand, is a flower child cutting a dash in breezy micro minis embodying the spirit of the charming decade.
Gossip Girl (2007)
Blair Waldorf played by Leighton Meester and Serena Van Der Woodsen essayed by Blake Lively pretty much defines the New York preppy-meets-high fashion energy. This significant series styled by stylist Eric Daman continues to inspire style junkies even today. While Waldorf inspired a generation of fashion lovers with her luxurious capes, coats, and signature headbands, Serena van der Woodsen took the opposite route in free-spirited dresses, dangly bohemian jewellery and off-shoulder metallic gowns. Apparently, Blair never repeated a headband in six seasons, and Serena never wore the same pair of shoes or carried the same bag. While Blair’s ensembles are more put together as she plots and schemes in an array of beaded babydoll dresses and ladylike outfits, Serena embraces a rather bohemian yet polished approach to dressing. The show saw some of the iconic looks from designers like Blumarine, Elie Saab, Reem Acra and Badgley Mischka. Even other characters like Chuck Bass played by Ed Westwick and Lily Van Der Woodsen essayed by Kelly Rutherford were impossibly chic channeling quiet luxury and old money aesthetic. While Ed is often seen in gorgeous robes befitting Hugh Hefner and suits tailored in heritage textiles, Kelly essays a chic Upper East Side mamma in tea-length party dresses and high heels. Instagram is still inundated with tutorials dedicated to Gossip Girl.
Downton Abbey (2010)
For six seasons, PBS Masterpiece’s Downton Abbey had the world under its spell. The Crawley sisters always looked fabulous and the men of the house were always dapper in bespoke suits. Sybil’s harem pants evoke the flapper vibe and Mary’s elegant wedding gown comes to mind instantly. It started back in 2012 when the actresses who play the Crawley sisters graced the cover of UK fashion magazine Love, and designer Marc Jacobs confessed being an ardent fan of the series. In his Autumn/Winter 2012 collection for Louis Vuitton, Jacobs referenced the Edwardian era, with extraordinary, supersized hats, elbow-length gloves and tight-fitting long coats. In full Edwardiana mode, the models arrived for the runway show on a custom-built steam train. In the same season, Burberry evoked a countryside, tweedy mood, and Ralph Lauren opened their show to the soundtrack of the Downton Abbey theme music, as models in narrow, tailored jackets, checked trousers and elegant pastel dresses evoked an aristocratic English shooting party à la Downton Abbey. Not only that, the brand was sponsoring the show in the United States. UK bridalwear designer Jenny Packham, meanwhile, credited Downton Abbey with an upturn in sales of her wedding dresses, many of which draw on early 20th-century influences.
Bridgerton (2020)
Bridgerton unleashed a vibrant canvas populated with fantastical costumes which reconciled historical references with contemporary flourish. Embodying beauty and glamour, the overall styling of the series nourished the characters and lent gravitas to the story. In fact, several summer 2024 fashion trends and accessory trends had a strong Bridgerton undercurrent–from voluminous skirts and leg-of-mutton-sleeve dresses to coquette chokers and Featherington Family-approved fruity hues. The hair accessories in the show were another highlight–from bejewelled tiaras to ribbon headbands to plume-accented headpieces and bloom fascinators. Also worth mentioning is the jewellery. While Daphne mostly wears more pared-back necklaces, including ribbon chokers and delicate crystals, other characters like Lady Danbury and the Featheringtons are partial to statement-making pieces. Also, the show put the gloves back on the radar. The show’s toffee-nosed characters are seen in a wide variety of styles, from wrist-length lace to opera-length satin gloves.
The New Look (2024)
Style junkies fell for The New Look, the 10-episode Apple TV+ series hook, line and sinker. The series documented the story of Christian Dior (played by Ben Mendelsohn) launching his eponymous Paris label with the now-iconic 1947 New Look collection that inspired the production’s title. Both creator Todd A. Kessler (Damages, Bloodline) and costume designer Karen Serreau (The Serpent Queen) approached Dior’s game-changing post-World War II designs with an unsparing attention to detail. Dior too opened up its archives to the show’s creators. The series starts with Christian addressing an audience at the Sorbonne in 1955, with a runway showing of several designs, and then of course, later, we see the debut showing of the 1947 collection. Dior worked closely with the production team on hand-picking the ensembles that would work for the project, and they played a significant role with sketches, fabric swatches and photographs. In some cases, they had fabrics hand-dyed or made up for the creators — a 1947 leopard-print dress, for example, which was recreated for the show.
Christobal Balenciaga (2024)
Cristóbal Balenciaga, a six-part series revolves around the epochal career of the legendary Spanish designer. All in all, a gorgeous depiction of the late couturier’s life, inundated with thoughtful recreations of some of his most memorable work. Costume designer Bina Daigeler recreated a number of Balenciaga’s most well-known catwalk looks from scratch, while she was also assigned the task of dressing an entire cast. This involved reading every possible book about the designer, visiting various exhibitions around the world, as well as delving deeply into the archives of Balenciaga, Chanel and Dior. “I was lucky to be able to do that”, she told Harper’s Bazaar. “It was so helpful for doing the recreations of the costumes because otherwise everything would have been based on photos and sketches”. The runway looks were the most thorough–not only are these the designs that style savants would actually recognise, but these were all created from the beginnings, whereas most of what the actors wore was sourced from vintage stores or borrowed from costume houses.
Friends (1994)
In terms of style, Rachel’s hair is probably the most memorable thing to come out of this sitcom. Easily the most copied haircut of the era. Rachel Greene who started her career at Bloomingdale’s followed by Ralph Lauren was the Fashion Guru of the gang. When Joey needs to dress for an audition, she helps him out with a dapper look and a spiffy man bag (which funnily enough he finds difficult to get rid of during the screen test). While Rachel is style-savvy and put together, Monica’s minimalist clothing choices emit a cool, casual, and calm vibe. Partial to boyfriend-style jeans and oversized button-down tops, she’s laid back yet chic. Phoebe Buffay is the flower child in the group and her bohemian and sometimes questionable fashion choices reflect her vibrant personality. Street finds and quirky accessories seem more up her alley. Men on the show weren’t too behind on style too–Ross was easily the risk-taker–be it his leather pants or the dorky red sweater. Joey’s morning robes, date night turtlenecks and Chandler’s preppy sweaters were other classics which summed up the easygoing vibe of the era.
Gilmore Girls (2000)
The Gilmore Girls style is synonymous with a relatable sense of casual chic and a comfortable approach to clothing. Evoking an early 2000s aesthetic with a focus on classic denim, cosy knitwear, layering, and a mix of patterns, often featuring bright hues and quirky prints, all while maintaining a somewhat preppy undertone, particularly with Rory Gilmore’s outfits. Lorelai Gilmore was rather eclectic and playful in her wardrobe choices. Think graphic tees and statement pieces. And her off-kilter outfits also reflected her rebel, risk-taking personality. A far cry from the mother and daughter, Grandma Emily Gilmore’s style was rather classic, sophisticated, and old money. Think royal colours, tailored silhouettes, and high-end designer knitwear, particularly from the brand St. John. Polished and put-together–pretty much like Emily’s Friday night dinners. Throughout the series, she’s mostly seen in tailored lunch suits slightly evoking Chanel and accessorised with pearls and sunglasses.
Emily in Paris (2020)
At the beginning of season one, Emily Cooper’s (essayed by Lily Collins) style elicited all sorts of reactions. However, after the third season, costume designer Marylin Fitoussi presented her as slightly more in tune with the French culture she’s struggling to adapt to. In season 4, Emily plays out her vibrant life in neon colours and vertiginous high heels in a city which is otherwise used to basic blacks. You can’t completely miss the overpowering American in her but she slowly gravitates towards embracing trousers, button-downs and blazers. She comes across as more in tune with the gamine, grownup and chic Parisian sensibility. Think corporate-core and gender-neutral pieces which can be mixed and matched and can take you from work to drinks. However, her boss Sylvie Grateau effortlessly portrays classic French elegance with an edge. Her style evokes French fashion editor Carine Roitfeld–sultry, sophisticated and mindful at the same time.