If clothes play a big part in first impressions, then these characters have definitely left an imprint on our hearts and minds. Every week, they wow us with their stylish fashion ensembles and make us head for the nearest knock-off rack. Some of them look to the past for inspiration. Others mix and match today’s trends with classic items. Whatever their fashion philosophy, all of them are some of today’s best dressed TV characters.
10.) Bree Van De Kamp, Desperate Housewives
A throwback to Jackie O, Bree’s (Marcia Cross) style is prim, proper and conservative. If that sounds a lot like Gossip Girl‘s Blair (see below), then all is as it should be. The two definitely share some style basics, but you won’t find any fiery red tights on Bree. That’s not say that Bree is boring. Who needs red tights when you have fiery red hair, which looks fabulous with all the colors of the rainbow? Plus, Bree’s ladylike, Martha Stewart-inspired wardrobe of cardigans, pencil skirts and pointy heels is sexy in a uptight, librarian sort of way.
9.) Nancy Botwin, Weeds
If all suburban pot dealers dressed like Nancy (Mary-Louise Parker), then we might have a very big problem on our hands. Like her life, Nancy’s clothes are far from glamorous, but what she lacks in glamor, Nancy more than makes up for by avoiding the mommy curse. No high-waisted jeans or pleated pants here. Feminine tops and casual day dresses are the order of the day for picking up the kids, running errands and negotiating with fellow drug dealers. Nancy knows that if you want to intimidate the competition, a little leg topped with a chunky sandal doesn’t hurt.
8.) Joan Holloway, Mad Men
While everyone else is trying to evoke the past in their fashions, Joan (Christina Hendricks) is in the past, the 1960s to be exact. When you get to wear dresses cinched at the waist in bold colors like bright red, cobalt blue and forest green from top to knee-length and rich fabrics, it pays to be stuck in the past. With her fair complexion and red hair, every brightly colored piece of clothing looks even more vibrant. Most stunning? A fire-engine red, knee-length dress with a peach lip on an actress who isn’t rail thin.
7.) Daniel Meade, Ugly Betty
Barney may have found his suit match in Daniel (Eric Mabius). Not only do Daniel’s suits fit his body like a tee, but he’s not afraid of color either. It’s not unusual to see Daniel “working” at the office in a gray suit with a boldly colored purple shirt or pink tie. A good suit tells everyone who’s boss, and in his perfectly tailored ones Daniel is confident, stylish and downright sexy. With suits specifically handmade for him by the Ocean’s Eleven tailor and suits from British designer Ozwald Boateng, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be.
6.) Wilhelmina Slater, Ugly Betty
Sticking to neutral colors like white, black and beige, Wilhemina (Vanessa L. Williams) is effortlessly stylish whether in or out of the office thanks to form-fitting suits, sleek dresses and luxurious sweaters. You have to love a woman who fashionably pulls off a white cashmere and faux fur cape, white turtle neck and white boots while running away from prostitutes. Sometimes, the devil does wear white and looks good while doing it.
5.) Samantha Newly, Samantha Who?
The great thing about Samantha’s (Christina Applegate) ensembles is that they don’t look like they took too much time or effort to put on. Blouses and a pair of trousers or a pencil skirt keep things simple at work while soft, feminine dresses with no muss, no fuss provide a chic, yet simple look for a night out. The most interesting pieces come in the form of the great winter coats that keep Sam warm in chilly Chicago, where the show takes place. That’s also what costume designer Lori Eskowitz-Carter told NY Daily News she spent most of the wardrobe budget on.
4.) Barney Stinson, How I Met Your Mother
Men, take note. Ill-fitting shirts and jeans are out. It’s time to suit up, and Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) is here to show you how with his sophisticated wardrobe of suits, suits and more suits. He knows that when you want to make an impression, be it on the girl at the bar or your boss, a clean, sharp suit is the way to go. Take a cue from the always polished Barney and invest in a well-dressed future. Girls, you too can get in on the act. Barney is so well-dressed, he even inspired his friend Robin to suit up, and the effects were spectacular.
3.) Charlotte “Chuck” Charles, Pushing Daisies
It’s fitting that in a series that seems to adhere to no specific time period, the fashion of its characters doesn’t adhere to any specific era either. When the show began, 1950s style dresses in vibrant colors and floral prints adorned Chuck (Anna Friel). In one particularly memorable episode, she topped a voluminous red dress with a matching hat and large, black sunglasses in a nod to both Audrey Hepburn and Amélie. When it wasn’t hats and sunglasses, Chuck was bringing back the scarf as a headwrap. Alive again dead girls have to stay inconspicuous, after all. As the show finished out its season, Chuck’s style began to evoke more of the 1960s hippie vibe with tights and mod minidresses, but it never lost its touch for timeless elegance and perfectly chosen accessories.
2.) Serena van der Woodsen, Gossip Girl
Relaxed and bohemian, Serena is the polar opposite of Blair’s classically refined style. Give this girl some skinny jeans, boots and a tank, and she’s good to go. While Blair adorns her school uniform with structured skirts and Victorian blouses, Serena keeps it chic and simple with cropped jackets, a plaid mini and her ubiquitous boots. But that’s not to say Serena doesn’t have a glam side and a predilection for minidresses. She knows when to amp it up for a night out like with the studded minidress and pumps she wore for her date with Dan.
1.) Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girl
Any member of the Gossip Girl cast could be on this list, except for maybe Chuck due to that suspect basketball outfit. When you have a show dressed by Patricia Field’s assistant costume designer from Sex and the City, it’s pretty much guaranteed that everyone is going to look fabulous. But the crown has to go to the show’s two leading ladies. Little J (Taylor Momsen) only dreams of being as richly stylish as Blair (Leighton Meester) and Serena (Blake Lively).
Blair’s wardrobe is a outward reflection of her dueling personalities. She’s the conservative, high society princess, but underneath the veneer things are more rocky than she lets on. Family drama, food issues and enough boy drama to fuel the “Gossip Girl” blog for months. She plays the prim and proper role with structured blazers, tailored shorts, classy dresses and unexpected capes, but her fiery side comes out in bright red tights and her signature piece, ribbons as headbands. Matching mixed styles never looked so good.
– Written for Starpulse.com
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Modern Family Sneak Peek: We were treated to a hilarious scene from next Wednesday’s episode, in which Phil and Claire are celebrating their anniversary. The kids decide to treat them with breakfast in bed, but get more than they bargained for. The following words were used: “zesty,” “dad was winning” and “traumatized.” Use your imagination.
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