TV Shows and Movies That Inspire Gen Z & Millenial Fashion
Television shows and movies have become a part of everyday culture. Generation Z and the generation of Millennials have had the greatest exposure to television, allowing it to influence their everyday lives, including their fashion choices. Over the years, shows and movies have come to have an exceptionally large impact on what everyday people choose to wear. During the pandemic, especially, television shows and movies became one of the few ways people gained inspiration to spice up their wardrobes. On social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, it has become an extremely popular trend to show outfits from your wardrobe inspired by your favorite movies and television shows. Here are a few of the most popular shows and movies influencing fashion today.
Gossip Girl
When Gossip Girl was first released, many people were getting their fashion inspiration from magazines and fashion editorials. Before the show aired, people looking at New York City for fashion inspiration were influenced by the trends shown in Sex and the City. Now with Gossip Girl, the younger audience also has the opportunity to change their wardrobes. This show is a look into the fashions of the younger generation in New York City. Gossip Girl shows viewers fashion that ranges from Blair’s preppy blazers to Serena’s bohemian style to Jenny’s edgy fashion designer looks. Today stores sell fashion pieces associated with specific characters from the original Gossip Girl series since there is such a prestigious aspect surrounding them. Gossip Girl was one of the first shows to be drama-centric yet have such a major influence on fashion for the younger generation.
Friends
Friends has become an iconic fashion inspiration for people looking to follow 90s fashion trends. The sitcom serves incredible looks for each character and reflects their individual personalities. The show not only influenced people’s clothing choices but also their hairstyles. One of the most famous known as “The Rachel”, a choppy layered haircut, which is being revived in today’s Gen Z. The show accurately portrays men’s fashion from that decade as well, with the male characters wearing loose and comfy outfits. The women in the show, Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, are used as the blueprint for women’s fashion in the 90s by today’s generation. Plaid skirts, printed tees, denim jackets and overalls, and blazers are all being revived in fashion today, and are some of my personal wardrobe favorites. The style has even been reborn and reinterpreted in other television shows such as Euphoria.
Euphoria
Euphoria uniquely takes on the idea of fashion for each of the characters. Each has a distinct style and expresses themselves through it. The show is a rich outlet for the younger generation to find themselves through clothing. The fashion is not only about each character’s personality, but also takes influence from previous decades of fashion. Today’s generation has a wealth of fashion history available at their fingertips, and it plays a key role in how they dress. Euphoria is the embodiment of what fashion means to Gen Z. The show has influenced today’s fashion greatly, giving people a sense of freedom through how they dress.
Bridgerton
Bridgerton brought back the ballgowns and rich regency fashion. Bridgerton’s regency fashion became the biggest fashion inspiration of the year. Vibrant colors, puffy sleeves, and floral print became staples in every clothing store this past spring and are still being seen everywhere. The regency-core clothing and elegant accessories are also seen all over Instagram. The fashion of the show became popular due to its visual appeal and rich, aesthetic style.
Emily in Paris
Emily in Paris was one of the greatest revolutionizers of today’s fashion. The main character, Emily, moves from America to Paris, and viewers see how her style changes as she learns more about French fashion. The show made waves when it came to how millennials and Gen Z dressed themselves. The show brings back the allure of French fashion’s influence on American fashion. Emily has a bold and colorful yet chic style and that combination inspired viewers to bring their wardrobe up a notch. Her distinctive style has made its way into many women’s wardrobe’s today.
Sex and the City
Sex and the City was and still is one of the most influential shows in fashion. This show is geared more towards Millennials than to Gen Z. The characters in the show are older, in their late 20s, and more relatable to the working women of New York City. The fashion in Sex and the City allowed women who were watching to feel they can dress more freely. Each woman in the show has a distinct style, and viewers pick up on that, and many relate to at least one of the character’s styles. The series allowed people to dress up and feel the joy of fashion. It was a refreshing take on fashion and Millennials everywhere were inspired by the show and it revolutionized what fashion meant to the everyday person.
Outer Banks
Outer Banks came out during the spring of 2020, while everyone was quarantined, and it was a hit Netflix Original series. The wardrobe of the characters was very boho and relaxed. Their outfits were a combination of comfort and trendy styles. Hawaiian button-downs, bandanas, small-beaded necklaces, and cropped shirts are all part of the trendy yet attainable look of the Pogues. This style became popular among the younger generation, Gen Z, since it was so easy to recreate and make a part of their summer closets. Many people on TikTok and Instagram started to recreate their favorite outfits from this series without having to buy any new clothes.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things is one of the most popular shows among Gen Z. It has sci-fi fans sitting on the edge of their seats. Not only does the show attract sci-fi viewers, but it also grabs the attention of fashion lovers. The show has made an influence on the fashion industry. Stranger Things brings back the 80s trends and styles, inspiring more people to add pieces from that decade into their wardrobes. Some of the staple and most influential pieces from the show include Eleven’s baby doll pink dress, the boys’ homespun knit sweaters, and high-waisted jeans. TikTok has seen a trend where creators put together outfits that characters from Stranger Things would wear, and the pieces truly reflect the show’s aesthetic.
Schitt’s Creek
Schitt’s Creek is known not only for its great comedy, but also its unique take on fashion. The characters are from a wealthy family, making their wardrobe consist mainly of designer clothes. Moira Rose, the mother in the series, is known for her “sculptural” designer looks featuring couture designers such as Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Givenchy. Moira’s style attracts fashion lovers. Her style not only influenced viewers to emulate what she was wearing, but it also influenced Catherine O’Hara’s, the actress playing Moira, personal style.
Clueless
Clueless, a 25-year-old film, has had enduring impacts on the fashion world, and has widely inspired Millennials and Gen Z. The wardrobe of Cher, the main character in the film, has revived the fashion of the 90s for the generation today. The iconic yellow plaid skirt and blazer is one of her most recreated outfits. After 25 years, the fashion from the film still reigns on. Today on TikTok, you see thousands of girls emulating Cher’s iconic style featuring plaid, sheer tops, and A-line skirts.
Mean Girls
Mean Girls, an iconic film that defines a certain era of fashion, sealed the millennial fashion into an everlasting look book that anyone can go back to and recreate its aesthetics. The iconic line “On Wednesdays We Wear Pink” is still largely quoted and followed today and reflects the love for Millennial Pink. The monochrome outfits, miniskirts, and barred midriffs are all part of a style that was followed largely by millennials when the film first released. Although it isn’t part of the current fashion industry trend, many people from Gen Z who love the early 2000’s style look at Mean Girls as fashion inspiration.
Article by Kenisha Seth, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
