7 Iconic Fashion Trends That Were Inspired by TV Shows
Do you remember these TV shows which inspired you to change a little bit of your wardrobe – and your personality?
advertisement
In a world ruled by TV, what we watch is often what are are, or how we are. From the sparkliest bindi to the frilliest couture, we drown in fashion possibility – one Manohlo Blahnik at a time (Sex and the City, anyone?) Producers often spend thousands of bucks and many, many months putting together a look for their show that will immediately fire imaginations. They’re inspired by current fads, Justin Bieber’s shoes, Hillary Clinton’s suits – you name it, they want in.
But sometimes – just sometimes – they end up forecasting a fashion trend rather than reflecting it. (What could be a bigger gradient of success than that?)
So, here’s a list of 7 of the most iconic style trends of the last couple of decades that inspired both wardrobe trends and personality choices. After all, if you dress like Rachel, would you not want to be a little bit like Rachel?
The ‘Rachel’ Haircut (F.R.I.E.N.D.S)
How can you possibly have a list about TV trends and not lead with Rachel? Jennifer Aniston has done much work since F.R.I.E.N.D.S but she continues to be remembered for her slightly-spoilt, ever-so-zany, incredibly fashionable portrayal of Rachel Greene. And one of our most endearing memories of the beloved TV star (other than that kiss with Winona Ryder, of course) is the pretty blond bob. In fact, if you walked into any salon in the ’90s and asked for a popular hair trend, chances were you’d walk out with Jennifer Aniston’s haircut from the early seasons of the show. The most ironic part, though? Aniston has gone on record to say that she thought ‘The Rachel’ was the “ugliest” haircut she’d ever seen! Whoa.
The ’60s Suits and Skirts (Mad Men)
If you thought television was dominated by female fashion, think again. Or at least, take a look at Mad Men. Thanks to the Jon Hamm starrer, a vintage ’60s trend has resurfaced with much pomp and splendour. The crisp, tight-fitted American suit worn oh-so-well by Don Draper has ensured men went out on the streets looking for copies and women went weak at their knees looking for his copy. There’s something in it for the female fashionista too – in the form of rapidly rising waistlines tailored to suit extra feminine curves.
Headbands and Couture (Gossip Girl)
Are you still crying over this perfectly superficial show that ended a good three years ago? I know I am. And when we say ‘superficial’, we merely mean that this wasn’t a show the Indian audience could typically relate to. What with a bunch of snooty high school ‘Upper East Siders’ at its epicentre, the show was obviously banking a lot on wide-eyed wonder and shameless aping. It got both aplenty. Blair Waldorf (played by Leighton Meester) was the true “Queen B” in her ultra-stylish headbands (who knew they could be a thing?) and Serena Van Der Woodsen (played by Blake Lively) packed enough oomph in couture frocks and tiny shorts that displayed enviable amounts of leg.
Manolo Blahniks and Androgyny (Sex and the City)
Here’s why we LOVE Sex and the City. There was something for everyone in this show about the dynamic foursome – from sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw to Park Avenue princess Charlotte, sexpot Samantha to the androgynous attorney Miranda. The star of the show, of course, was easily Miss Bradshaw – never since the days of Cinderella slipping on a plastic heel had a shoe inspired more fanfare. Carrie ensured all shoe loyalists traded up to Manolo Blahniks – while also batting loyally for Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and a bevy of other star names during the hugely successful TV franchise.
Blood Red Highlights and Amulets (Remix)
Remix was to Indian high schools what Gossip Girl was to the American teen. Any television addict worth his salt will remember much of the preppy title track which had school girls in incredibly short skirts and men with impossibly dirty manes jumping into space. Yup, Remix had an entire generation hooked – and also inspired a series of fashion fads. The blood-red hair highlights (courtesy Anwesha Ray Banerjee), the amulet round the neck aka rustic Ranveer Sisodia, and of course, Queen Tia’s fluttery palette of pinks and pastels – all found their way into high school wardrobes.
Rolled-up Sleeves and Hitched-up Skirts (Hip Hip Hurray)
This one’s a classic. Sorry all Remix and Gossip Girl (and other distant cousins of the high school TV-thon club), Zee’s Hip Hip Hurray is the original well-head of school stories. In fact, if you’re a 90’s baby, chances are you reminisce the cult show each time you spot an older, harried cast member out in the real world (sob sob). Hip Hip Hurray inspired the rolled-up sleeves and the hitched-up skirts long before any other high school-based show did. Also, remember those ‘sporty’ polo tees and ’90s chokers (horrible plastic embellishments that were symbols of teenage angst)? ALL Hip Hip Hurray.
Komolika’s Blouses and Bindis (Kasautii Zindagii Kay)
Kasautii Zindagi Kay made for a lot of animated television viewing (cue to exasperated grandmothers – mine – hurling unthinkable imprecations at the vamps) back in the day. Circa early 2000s, it also made for a lot of fashion hit and misses. While Prerna (Shweta Twiwari’s) doe-eyed, churidar-legged avatar indulged some trends, it was predominantly Komolika (Urvashi Dholakia’s) long bindi-ed, tube blouse-d role that beguiled an entire generation. Komolika was THE femme fatale of Indian television, seen at various points twisting long braids of hair when she was plotting the end of Prerna – or just plotting in general. Cut to snake bindis and garish eyeshadow and Komolika fired a million bemused imaginations.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)