13 times Rachel, Monica and even Gunther wore outfits to inspire your at-home wardrobe
It's not often you look back on TV shows from the past and have positive things to say about the style choices.
We don't tend to rewatch Desperate Housewives and RACE to our closets to dig out that Bree-inspired satin pencil skirt, nor do we watch old episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and immediately run to our nearest vintage shop to pick up a pair of patterned leggings. But whenever we rewatch (approximately ten hours worth of) hit 90s sitcom Friends , the feeling is entirely different.
And since working-from-home lunch breaks spent watching the epic series became the new normal for many of us this year, we've been looking to the super six for an entirely new type of sartorial inspo. We may remember them best for their slip dresses and power suits, but this cast were no stranger to isolation-worthy comfies either.
Remember the football episode (season 3, episode 9, for the real fans out there)? Rachel's black, drawstring joggers, cinched in at the ankle, which she paired with a t-shirt over a long-sleeve and trainers that even Yeezy himself would be itching to get his hands on right now? That, right there, will be our Christmas-to-New-Year wardrobe in its entirety.
How about Monica's epic vintage-looking knitted t-shirts, or the oversized checked shirts? And don't (do!) get us started on Rachel's classic 90s staples... what we'd do for a wardrobe full of her finest slogan sweatshirts.
It's no secret that 90s fashion is in the midst of a huge revival, and the wardrobes of the Friends cast make up some of the world's most powerful fashion components: think denim in abundance, expert layering and oh-so-many spaghetti straps.
Rachel, Monica, and even Gunther - we want your wardrobes. So to mark the show finally returning to our screens for new episodes (HALLELUJAH), we've rounded up some of the iconic sitcom's best fashion moments that we find ourselves unknowingly recreating every day, throughout lockdown and beyond...
NBC UNIVERSAL / Getty ImagesRachel's athleisure debut
If your lockdown wardrobe isn't an exact replica of this joggers/t-shirt/old trainers/questionable hair look, then we're on very different pages.
NBC via Getty ImagesRachel's casual look
We'd wear this look in a second - the denim dungarees, the jacket, the trainers... it's every inch the carefree lockdown outfit we've been trying to achieve.
NBC via Getty ImagesMonica's Levi's
It's no secret that Levi's 501s are one of the most enduring items in fashion. And this pair worn by Monica with a basic vest top is making us want to dig out our own to wear to tomorrow... Perhaps with a cosy jumper.
NBC via Getty ImagesMonica's check shirt & Rachel's knee-high boots
Check is a big trend right now, and we're especially loving Monica's look for our own wardrobe. Not to leave out Miss Green, who wears a mini skirt and knee-high boots like no other. We'll perhaps wait to revive that one until these varying levels of lockdown are properly over. It'd be wasted on the living room.
NBC via Getty ImagesMonica's knitted t-shirt
Monica's knitted t-shirt is the vintage-inspired style we've been waiting to reappear. They're finally back on-trend, and ideal for those days that you want the comfort of a tee but remember that it's December.
NBC via Getty ImagesRachel's slouchy look
Oversized jumpers and slack denim dungarees = 90s fashion at its slouchy best.
SKYGunther's neon accents
It wouldn't be a Friends tribute without our Gunther... And with neon having a huge resurgence in fashion right now there was only one example we could include. One to save for the (inevitable) resurgence of Zoom quizzes? They have, after all, been the biggest event in the calendar this year.
SKYRachel's shoulder bag
90s baguette bags are huge news right now, and (naturally!) Rachel Green had the perfect one. Brushed, black leather with a burgundy trim. Perfect for a quick trip to the corner shop for yet more 'emergency chocolate'.
NBC via Getty ImagesRachel's layering
Layering is as big now as it was then, as seen on the catwalks in many different incarnations. We adore Rachel's feminine take on the grunge trend and plan on wearing this slip dress-over-tee look at least once a week (when the tracksuit is in the washing machine).
SKYMonica's square neck
Square necks were one of the most popular necklines last year, beating both v-neck and round-neck in the style stakes. Something to swap your pyjama top for?
NBC via Getty ImagesRachel's slip dress
Slip dresses like Rachel's were massive in the 90s and they're making a huge revival. Perhaps not one for the morning Zoom, but a good option to zhuzh up those kitchen table date nights?
NBC via Getty ImagesRachel's roll neck
Roll neck's aren't going anywhere, and we're dying to up our game via a sports-luxe-style like the one that Rachel's wearing.
NBC via Getty ImagesMonica's minidress
We're a little bit in love with Monica's 70s work wear-style mini dress. That's our back-to-the-office outfit sorted, whenever that day may be.
