The most fashionable TV shows of all time
From the Upper East Side styling of Gossip Girl, to the chicest costume dramas (and we're not just talking Downton) the small screen has got a hell of a lot more fashion-focused in recent years - take a look at the programmes we look to for the best on-screen outfits.
David Giesbrecht/NetflixHouse of Cards
Helping to put women’s tailoring back on the fashion agenda, Claire Underwood’s power wardrobe has inspired audiences to swap their favourite 'Athleisure' pieces for something a touch more sophisticated with searches for tailored pieces increasing 18%. There has also reportedly been a large increase in searches for pixie cuts since the show aired four years ago.
NetflixStranger Things
It may surprise you, but people can’t get enough of Eleven’s signature pink Peter Pan collar dress, which is also set to become one of the most popular Halloween costumes of 2017. Barb is also reportedly considered a fashion icon (taken from us too soon, #JusticeForBarb).
NetflixThe Get Down
The 70s are back baby and The Get Down may be responsible. Since the show first hit our Netflix feed, searches for their retro street style rose 22%. Take inspiration from the Netflix original series and grab your puma sneakers and varsity jacket.
NetflixNarcos
Closely mirroring the actual ensembles worn in Pablo Escobar’s day, Narcos is all about Hawaiian shirts, moustaches, jeans and aviators. The latter of which had a whopping 124% increase in searches and an even larger 256% in sales.
Erica Parise/NetflixGlow
Glow has brought 80s fashion back to our television screens and we couldn’t be happier about it. High-waisted mom jeans and leotards are staples in any fashionistas wardrobe. Even sweater vests have had a 18% surge in searches according to Lyst.
Getty ImagesSuits
Can we just take a minute to appreciate Donna, Jessica and Rachel’s work clothes? They are actual goals and we need them all.
NetflixThe Crown
With lavish sets and intricately designed costumes, Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton recreated the epic outfits from Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
Big Little Lies
The hit series provided us with a lot of wardrobe inspo, from dreamy gym gear, to enviable office-wear ensembles.
Rex FeaturesSex and the City
Who knows how Carrie Bradshaw afforded that wardrobe writing one column a week? Frankly, who cares. Stylist Patricia Field made SJP a style icon in that show - responsible for numerous trends including floral corsages, tutu skirts, and a Manolo Mary-Jane obsession we've never been able to shake off.
Rex FeaturesGossip Girl
The show that made big hairbands acceptable headgear for the over-fives brought us two distinct fashion camps - that of Serena Van Der Woodsen and her body-hugging, leg-revealing and slightly boho ensembles, and the queen of prep school chic Blair Waldorf - who upped the fashion ante even more when she interned at W magazine (best fake TV internship ever). Of course the real fashion star of the show was Chuck Bass - surely the inspiration for the Lookatmyfuckingredtrousers blog.
Getty ImagesScandal
The style game of Kerry Washington's character, Olivia Pope, is so high it is as much of an event as the show itself. Her fashion USP is understated luxe elegance. In fact, the show was so chic it inspired the birth of a new fashion line in its honour.
Girls
The magic of this show is that each character has their own distinct style - Marnie with her groomed shift dresses, Hannah with her v short jumpsuits and slightly out-there fashion choices, Jessa's floaty boho skirts and Shoshanna's cutesy college student style - but it's anything but a glossy, over-styled New York drama.
ITVDownton Abbey
Do we really need to explain why Downton is such a stylish TV show? Just look at Lady Mary's baby working the nautical trend.
Walt Disney LtdRevenge
We love Revenge for the conniving characters and twisted plots, but we also love Emily VanCamp, Madeleine Stowe and particularly Ashley Madekwe's sharp on screen style. In fact people love their figure-hugging dresses so much, Revenge is getting its own clothing and accessories line, created by the show’s three-time Emmy nominated costume designer Jill Ohanneson.
Rex FeaturesMad Men
The drama made a fashion star out of costume designer Janie Bryant (who recently collaborated with Banana Republic) - and with good reason. The incredible costumes of this epic drama resulted in the "Mad Men effect" a few seasons back - where multiple designers sent ladylike retro designs down the catwalk.
Rex FeaturesBeverly Hills 90210
No, we're NOT talking about the glossy remake (although Gillian Zinser totally nails surfer-girl chic). This teen classic is a must-watch if you're into 90s styling - from drama queen Brenda's teenage take on grunge, to Donna and Kelly's epic collection of sundresses and denim cut-offs. Oh, and did we mention the two slightly too-old-to-play-teenagers/hotties Brandon and Dylan with their extreme gel quiffs? Puts Bradley Cooper's bouffant to shame.
Rex FeaturesDaria
Proof that cartoons are totally cool, sarcastic Generation X-er Daria had a knack for one-liners and a 'what-evs' wardrobe to match. The clunky boots, pleated kilt and over-sized green jacket were almost as cool as her BFF Jane Lane's amazing chin-length bob.
ITVMr Selfridge
A show about an iconic department store was always going to come up trumps fashion-wise, and Mr Selfridge did not disappoint. There was big, big hair, some elegant Edwardian styling, endless scenes in the accessories department and Harry Gordon Selfridge wore some pretty badass suits.
Game of Thrones
Like Mr Selfridge, the hair in GoT offers major barnet envy (we still want to 'do a Daenerys' and go silver blonde). But for a show where the cast are nearly naked 80% of the time, there's plenty of fash-spiration to be had from floaty Grecian-style frocks and trumpet sleeve gowns fit for a (treacherous) queen.
Rex FeaturesThe OC
For the first season, at least, The OC provided a window into the sunny Cali-girl style of rich Laguna Beach teens - fashion fodder for us when we were still deeply uncool at sixth form in the middle of no-where. From Coop's cute sundresses to Summer's boho style (not forgetting Ryan's love of tank tops and weird string necklaces,) we were obsessed.
BBCThe Hour
The pencil skirts! The jewel-coloured dresses! The women's wide-legged trouser suits! The Hour may not have been the BBCs answer to Mad Men (it got cancelled after two seasons, sob) - but the costumes were amazing, and surely increased the sales of pencil skirts tenfold.
Rex FeaturesThe City
This show brought Olivia Palermo and the terrifying Fashion PR maven Kelly Cutrone ("If you have to cry, go outside") to our attention, plus it gave Whitney, the nicest and best dressed girl in The Hills a chance to display her impressive legs and (sort of) work for DKNY.
PA PhotosThe Hills
Before Spencer and Louise and Millie and Rosie were a twinkle in reality TV's eye, The Hills brought us great LA style and numerous tense scenes inside the Teen Vogue fashion cupboard - even Heidi wore some OK outfits before she merged into Speidi.
PA PhotosUgly Betty
Never has a more OTT portrayal of what it's like to work at a fashion magazine and what people wear to work at a fashion magazine existed (it ain't like this at GLAMOUR, tbh). But Betty's mismatched outfits, Wilhemena's power dressing and Amanda and Daniel's insane wardrobes made this show majorly fun to watch.
Getty ImagesSkins
It doesn't look that stylish now, but a few years ago Skins seemed like the one teen show that dressed the characters in clothes they might actually wear. Cass, in particular, had the kind of crazy mismatched, over-accessorized outfits and brightly-coloured tights that only look good if you're 17.
Dallas
Just look at this jumper. Now tell us that the original Dallas wasn't the best fashion representation of the 1980s to EVER appear on TV (aside from Dynasty and Joan Collins' shoulder pads, obvs).
ABC/Getty ImagesPretty Little Liars
They're pretty, they're little, and they're liars. And they remind us of the mean popular girls at school (who wore Jane Norman and Miss Selfridge exclusively). Fortunately for us, the PLL girls have much better on-screen wardrobes.
Glee
Sue Sylvester's red Adidas tracksuits. Rachel Berry's love of mini kilts, cable knit jumpers and long socks. Emma Pilsbury's twin sets. Who knew an all-singing, all-dancing troupe of high school misfits could throw up so many memorable fashion moments?
Rex FeaturesMildred Pierce
The original film starring Joan Crawford was iconic for its strong-shouldered, 1940s looks. The glossy remake shown on Sky Atlantic was equally good for retro style inspiration.
Rex FeaturesMy So-Called Life
Every time grunge is mentioned as a big trend (happens a lot, seriously), we google image Angela Chase, aka Claire Danes, and mourn the fact that this excellent teen drama only lasted one series.
Rex FeaturesNew Girl
Take note, girls with hipster aspirations: Jess from New Girl works a striped breton tee, dorky glasses and a Peter Pan collar like no-one else.
Rex FeaturesThe Carrie Diaries
All we've seen of this show is the slightly cheesy trailer, so we're going on this and the on-set shots of AnnaSophia Robb. But with costume designer Eric Daman at the helm (the guy behind Gossip Girl), this show is already shaping up to be an apt tribute to Ms Bradshaw.
Rex FeaturesDamages
Shows about lawyers inevitably involve suits - Glenn Close makes them look consistently amazing. Also, an honourable mention for Rose Byrne who shows off her amazing legs with aplomb.
Rex FeaturesAlly McBeal
Again, with the TV lawyers and an impressive wardrobe of skirt suits. Whilst Ally's outfits may have made us recoil a few years ago, the 90s are truly back and we're ready to appreciate Ally's independent woman's finger snap wardrobe.
Rex FeaturesThat 70s Show
Re-watch the show that brought Mila Kunis and Ashton together and you'll almost be convinced to swap skinny jeans for bell bottoms. As Jackie, Mila predictably has the best 70s style - more Woodstock than Wisconsin (where the show was based).
Rex FeaturesBlossom
Please note: It's really hard to find decent pictures of this TV show, so this image isn't entirely accurate. Normally, Blossom and her bessie mate Six's wardrobe consisted of double denim, chintzy florals, waistcoats and off-beat accessories (namely, floppy hats) - making them teen style icons in the 90s.
Rex FeaturesDawson's Creek
What was basically an advert for the J Crew catalogue made legions of British teens want to recreate Capeside's uniform of cargo pants and check shirts at home to look just as girl-next-door as Joey.
Rex FeaturesBoardwalk Empire
Our obsession with 1920s style promised by The Great Gastby (will this film just come out, already?) has been sated by the lavish prohibition-era fashion in Boardwalk Empire.
Bigpicturesphoto.comMade in Chelsea
Love it or hate it, the girls of MIC have become style icons for their West London wardrobes (which reportedly cost £131,480 each , FYI). Spencer's penchant for pimp daddy jackets and baseball caps aside, the men dress OK, too - and we can't help but love Ollie Locke's Union Jack trousers.
Rex FeaturesAbsolutely Fabulous
Sweetie, darling - if you haven't watched Ab Fab to LOL at Eddy and Bubble's fashion victim outfits, or to marvel at the drunk, disorderly, but always well dressed Patsy - we order you to crack open a bottle of Bolly and do so right away.
Rex FeaturesSaved By The Bell
Anyone channeling the 90s right now is probably a fan of Kelly Kapowski - her high-waisted denim cut-offs, cropped over-sized t-shirts, varsity jackets and floral jumpsuits - all of which are currently being copied by most of the high street.
Rex FeaturesPride and Prejudice
The wardrobe of this classic Austen adaptation could be applauded for Colin Firth's dripping wet shirt and breeches moment alone - but the empire-line dresses and intricate updos were also nice to look at.
Rex FeaturesAmerica's Next Top Model
We kind of couldn't resist putting this one in - not because the clothes were that great (although the beauty make-overs always made for amazing TV), but because Tyra Banks kick-started a whole host of highly entertaining reality fashion shows with ANTM - and taught us how to 'smize'.
