It’s no secret that television has an impact on public life — an example is the never-ending debate on whether TV violence makes people violent. We also see this with fashion.
So, reader, I thought we could take a look at some of my favorite fashion moments in television that have inspired my sense of style.
I’d like to start with “Sex and the City.” This show is famed for its iconic fashion moments, but there have been some that have really stuck out to me. Most of them revolve around the show’s protagonist, Carrie Bradshaw.
One of my favorite outfits is when the girls take a vacation in Los Angeles, in season 3 episode 13, “Escape from New York.” Carrie, Samantha, and Miranda go out on the town. Carrie wears this floral fringe dress that is diagonally cut across her body. It elegantly sways when she moves and is accompanied by a sight I had never seen before — she’s wearing two different heels! They are of the same style, but one is a metallic teal while the other is a metallic hot magenta. They match the colors of the flowers on her dress, and the outfit’s exclamation point happens when she walks away from camera. You spot the classic red soles that only mean one thing — these iconic shoes are Louboutins! The drama of it is a sight to see.
Another great season 3 outfit is in episode 17, “What Goes around Comes around.” Here, Carrie wears the now-iconic Dior newsprint dress designed by John Galliano. It took my breath away the first time I saw her in it. The dress looks soft and light, and it fits her perfectly, hugging her unreal curves without being too lewd. I love the asymmetric dip of the neckline — it’s a break from standard symmetric necklines, and gives the illusion that Carrie just found a newsprint roll, threw it around her, and it transformed into this delectable dress. The show’s producers used this dress well, making it her outfit during key scenes in the series. Carrie’s style inspires me to be bold in my own style — she takes many fashion risks, and while not all are home runs, there’s something admirable about her relentless pursuit of a stunning style moment.
Another source of inspiration for me is the animated show, “Kim Possible.” I watched this show a lot growing up, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Kim’s style has integrated itself into my personal style. What stood out to me was that “Kim Possible” was one of the few shows where the characters actually had on different outfits in different scenes. The outfit that comes to mind is the one she popularized: the tight crop top and chic baggy pants. It is most prominent with her main field outfit, which is a long-sleeved, turtleneck black crop-top paired with baggy camo green cargo pants and a brown belt. It’s utilitarian but also cute. It shows the two sides of Kim: she can get the job done while still being a normal teenage girl. She also has several daytime outfits, including the classic loose-fitting, calf-length jeans with a crop lime green tank top.
She also knows how to dress up, proven by her beautiful prom look. She wears a floor length light blue tank gown with a subtle slit on one side, paired with strappy heels in an even brighter blue, and a cute little purse of the same color. She has her hair in an elegant updo with delicate jewelry, and I remember when I first saw her in that dress, I couldn’t wait to dress up for my own prom and look that beautiful.
The running theme throughout Kim’s style is the crop-top and loose-fitting pants, and a big part of having great style is consistency. I have several pairs of colorful, loose-fitting, high-waisted pants that Kim would approve of, but I have yet to buy my own pair of olive green cargo pants.
There are other instances where television has influenced my style, but I will save that for the future, reader. For now, I hope that you too find style inspiration on the small screen. Happy watching!
