TV Made Me Wear It!
A new study has shown that current popular TV shows are influencing our style choices. By analysing global search data, luxury cashmere brand NPeal identified significant shifts in use of certain keywords linked to such shows as Euphoria, Stranger Things and Bridgerton.
Searches for ‘Y2K fashion’ inspired by Euphoria have shown the greatest search volume change since the show started with a 1868% increase. Searches for ‘scrunchies’ and ‘puff sleeve dresses’ have both increased by over 300% since the release of Stranger Things and Bridgerton. Other possible influence links include ‘mullets’ and ‘tiger print’, (obviously from Tiger King), ‘varsity jackets,’ (Sex Education) and ‘flat caps’ (Peaky Blinders).
This got me thinking about telly that has influenced my wardrobe and style choices over the years and it’s a surprisingly rich territory.
1. Trisha Yate’s hair in Grange Hill
Parents of Gen X kids, I think, will unanimously agree that Grange Hill has a lot to answer for in terms of how their offspring approached school. On the positive side, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in “just saying no” to so many things because of Zammo. The big fashion influence for me, however, must be Trisha Yate’s hair. Looking back at it now, I’m wondering which bouffant flick came first, Trisha’s or Lady Di’s. I’d bet though, if you are female and were born in the 70s, you have a picture somewhere of yourself looking like this.
2. Ali McBeal’s career girl chic
Ali McBeal set a completely unrealistic dream for what working in an office could be like. It was a magnificent, airy building with a magic lift that led to a swanky bar full of atmosphere, cocktails garnished with olives and music from a gravel voiced singer who’d sing songs that spoke to your inner most feelings on any given day. What was more realistically aspirational, however, were Ali’s clumpy loafers. McBeal wore hers with short skirts that were inappropriate to most office dress codes, but the shoes – completely acceptable! I got a very suitable pair from Next. You could hear me coming a mile off, but hey, how else are you going to make a splash in fast moving consumer goods marketing?
3. Sex and the City flamboyance
While I don’t think I ever was, or will ever be, as stylish as any character in SATC, what it did do for me was to encourage clothing bravery and low-level outfit creativity. Today for example, I wore a tea dress covered in bright red London buses to work. I paired it with bright red ballerina pumps. I don’t think I would ever have done this if I’d never known Carrie Bradshaw.
4. ‘Chanel’-ing Emily in Paris
Having worked for nearly 20 years in marketing (albeit in Staines as opposed to Paris), I know that someone in their early 20s would not have the budget for Emily’s clothes. I also know I do not have to budget to emulate it. I tell you what though, if I could, I totally would. Hello ruby beret and dog tooth coat.
5. Mad men: Betty Draper
There were some stylish women (and men), in this show and something for everyone – are you a Peggy, a Joan or a Megan? The hook that got me though, was Betty D. She was a bit ‘Audrey’, a bit ‘Stepford’ a bit ‘I love Lucy’. She was an ice queen in pastels with a beehive, an A-line dress, maybe a bow, a collar, or a string of pearls. She really was a Betty.
6. Schitt’s Creek – All of them*
Here are some of the SC-inspired items I own. A black t-shirt with the word ‘Nonchalance’ on it – inspired by David, a swishy dress and cowboy boots inspired by Alexis and a jumper with a donut on it inspired by Jocelyn. I truly believe Moira is too challenging for anyone other than Moira, but I’d go on a date with someone in a sharp Johnny suit any day of the week.
*Except Roland Schitt maybe.
