These are the best fashion series for when you fall into a slump after Love Story
By Alyssa Pais
In February and March, I found myself in front of the TV every weekend: I couldn't wait for a new episode of Love Story. The series, which is still available to stream on Disney+, is about the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The storyline begins with their meeting and also follows the intense media attention surrounding their relationship.
Carolyn worked at Calvin Klein in the nineties, and the series is a delight for fashion lovers. Moreover, it is a big reason why 90s minimalism is making a comeback. Slip dresses, neutral colors, turtlenecks, thick headbands, midi skirts: it’s all about timeless basics with a perfect fit. And you know a series has truly made an impact when you see its style reflected in the streets.
That's why I gathered a number of series where the fashion made just as much of an impression as the storyline.
Sex and the City (1998-2004)
In Sex and the City is where clothing is just as important as the characters themselves. The series may be the oldest on this list, but it remains one of the most relevant. The four friends each have their own unique style, allowing every viewer to identify with one of them.
The styling was done by designer Patricia Field, who won an Emmy for her work. She combined vintage pearls with designer pieces and used clothing to enhance the characters' personalities. Millions of viewers got to know Sex and the City brands like Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Fendi. And honestly: without Carrie Bradshaw, we probably would never have looked so emotionally at a pair of shoes.
Halston (2021)
Ryan Murphy, the man behind Love Story, also created a series about the life of American fashion designer Halston. The story takes place in the fashion world of Manhattan in the seventies: from partying at Studio 54 to designing dresses for big stars like Liza Minnelli.
The elegant evening gowns, oversized sunglasses, and minimalist glamour are pure 70s perfection. Elsa Peretti, who would later become world-famous for her jewelry designs for Tiffany & Co., also plays a significant role. This is one of those series that makes you crave a halter dress, a martini, and an apartment filled with chrome after just one episode.
Mad Men (2007-2015)
It may not be the most fashion-forward show at first glance, but anyone who has seen the elegant dresses of Betty Draper and Joan Holloway will agree that Mad Men it has earned its place on this list tenfold.
Against the backdrop of changing America in the sixties, you also see the transition from a more conservative style to the experimental and bold looks of the late decade. Think: perfectly tailored dresses, pearls, gloves, pencil skirts, red lips, and hairstyles that clearly took more time than we currently spend on a full morning routine.
The New Look (2024)
In The New Look dives deep into fashion history. The series follows Christian Dior in the post-World War II period, the time when he designed his iconic New Look, which the series is named after.
The series also highlights Coco Chanel, who saw her influence wane during this period. Her controversial wartime past is also addressed. The costume team created the looks based on archival material, sketches, and research into Dior’s original designs. So this is not just a pretty series with beautiful dresses, but actually a couture lesson that you willingly sit down for.
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
Gossip Girl cannot be missed, and is always worth a rewatch. What Sex and the City was for Gen X, was Gossip Girl for millennials and Gen Z. Because the main characters were teenagers and twenty-somethings, the style was more accessible for a younger audience to adopt.
The show produced many trends that are still relevant today. Blair’s classic preppy style proves that some trends never disappear, and even Serena’s boho chic fashion made a comeback on the runway last year. Headbands, capes, mini skirts, over-the-knee boots, designer bags to school: totally impractical, but oh so effective.
The Bold Type (2017-2021)
At the fashion magazine Scarlet, three friends work on their careers. The Bold Type is about friendship and love, but also gives a behind-the-scenes look at the magazine world. You see how photoshoots, reports, and trends come together and how the women work their way up in a world that is both glamorous and quite demanding.
Fans of The Devil Wears Prada will appreciate the series, because just like in that film, fashion and media are central. Only it feels The Bold Type a bit more modern, a bit kinder, and a bit more like you want to text your friends right after watching. And maybe also want to reorganize your closet.
These series show how significant the influence of television on fashion can be. Sometimes one character is enough to make a shoe, bag, coat, or complete silhouette relevant again. Now we are waiting for the next series that will send us en masse towards slip dresses, headbands, or perfectly tailored blazers.
