12 Best-Dressed Characters In TV History
Shealyn Scott is a Senior Writer at Screen Rant. She has been writing for the site since 2024, focused on network, reality, streaming, and classic television.
A creative writer, journalist, and lover of the written word in all its forms, Shealyn enjoys deconstructing scenes from her favorite shows, using context clues and historical precedent to predict major plot points (which, due to her successful track record, has sparked rumors of clairvoyance).
As an award-winning student journalist, Shealyn spent her college years advocating for the humanities while studying English Literature. Her love of storytelling propelled her to expand her degree with minors in Writing and History, believing life to be a mere collection of stories that can be framed in as many ways as a movie scene.
As a Senior member of the TV Team, Shealyn treats the series she covers like books, analyzing every line, camera angle, and lighting choice. Thankfully, her personal mission statement lines up perfectly with Screen Rant: every creative work deserves just as much thought from the viewer as it received from its creator.
You can tell a lot about a character from the way they present themselves. Oftentimes, how a character dresses can be as reflective of their personality as an unforgettable TV catchphrase or a full-length monologue. Whether it be a period-accurate time capsule show from the 1990s or a contemporary exploration of trends, style is an integral part of any character's lasting impression.
Furthermore, every iconic character throughout TV history has a distinct look that helps them stay relevant, which can be just as important as an endlessly quotable line or infamous plot twist. In fact, a character's sense of style can be wildly influential, inspiring viewers to expand their wardrobe or scour for a screen-accurate Halloween costume. When it comes to TV's biggest fashion icons, however, some are universal fan-favorites.
Miriam "Midge" Maisel
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Rachel Brosnahan's indomitable performance made The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel a full-blown phenomenon, but the incredible costuming is what cemented it as a masterpiece period drama. As the eponymous Miriam "Midge" Maisel, Brosnahan flaunts a variety of classic silhouettes from the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Similarly, the Prime Video original ensures not a hair is out of place on the main character's head unless it serves the story. From the perfectly applied makeup to the mid-century accessorizing, everything Midge Maisel wears— be it on stage or at home— feels timelessly elegant.
Olivia Pope
Scandal
The first thing the viewer learns about Scandal's Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) is that she is a high-powered crisis manager with a storied career. Yet, her closet arguably has just as lasting of a legacy as her high-profile cases.
Throughout the seminal political drama, Olivia works in tailored suits, monochrome outfits, and jackets that fit her like a glove. Even when she's off the clock, though, Olivia looks effortlessly sophisticated in her casual wear that somehow oozes luxury. Without question, Olivia Pope's fashion was the true headline-maker of Scandal.
Blair Waldorf
Gossip Girl
Although Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Serena van der Woodsen (Blake Likely) were both purported to be style icons of the Upper East Side, only one was born into a family business of fashion. Blair's role in Gossip Girl may have started out antagonist, but she always looked her best, fusing familiar preppy pieces with modern flair.
Yet, Blair's style truly shone outside the central high school. Gossip Girl's seasonal episodes gave us her unforgettable ice skating ensemble and her chic summer dresses, while Audrey Hepburn dream sequences, parties, and romantic excursions displayed her refined taste in evening wear.
Joan Clayton
Girlfriends
Joan Clayton, Esquire (Tracee Ellis Ross) may be the main character of the early 2000s hit sitcom, but she had her work cut out for her to be the most fashionable woman in Girlfriends. There was nothing overly extravagant about her style, but she had the quintessential capsule closet every Y2K lover dreams of.
From slip dresses and cropped halter tops to patterned blouses and contrast cardigans, Joan knew how to dress for every occasion. Viewers still pine after the showstopping dress she wore in the pilot and her controversial "party" dress with cutouts galore, proving that she may have been ahead of her time, but her impact is certainly still felt.
Buffy Summers
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
You may assume monster hunting isn't a glamorous job, but Sarah Michelle Gellar's Buffy Summers shows you need style to slay. Every character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer is elite outfit inspo, but Buffy in particular is a one-of-a-kind scream queen. Typically, she toes the line of a 90s whimsigoth aesthetic and a rough-and-tough vigilante uniform, but Buffy also has standout scenes with costumes that live in infamy.
From statement jewelry to bright leather pants, Buffy Summers never looks ordinary, even when her only objective is surviving high school. That said, her style is accessible enough for anyone to emulate— no vampiric enemies necessary.
Rachel Green
Friends
Very few characters are so influential, you merely need to mention their name at the salon to get your dream haircut, but Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) is a historic fashion icon. She was far from the only well-dressed woman in Friends, but Rachel's outfits were all scene-stealers.
Despite its deceptively simple appearance, Rachel's wardrobe transformed the minimalist pieces it relied on. From a pair of overalls to a plaid skirt, she took traditionally plain apparel and made it look runway-ready. Consequently, seeing what Rachel would wear was often the most exciting part of any Friends episode.
Villanelle
Killing Eve
Beyond being one of the best spy thriller shows in modern history, Killing Eve was a gold mine of boundary-breaking fashion. The central assassin known only as Villanelle (Jodie Comer) constantly looked straight off of a magazine cover, whether she was cultivating an undercover persona or just lounging around her Parisian apartment.
With equal love shown to flamboyantly feminine dresses and sleek suits, bold patterns and classic fabrics, bright colors and subdued palettes, Villanelle's style knew no boundaries. Plus, it perfectly matched the character in all her outrageous glory.
Ginger Grant
Gilligan’s Island
Characters stranded on a remote island aren't usually expected to be presentable, but Ginger Grant (Tina Louise) stayed camera-ready throughout the three seasons of Gilligan's Island. Formerly a Hollywood actress, Ginger maintained her illustrious persona by never fully embracing the castaway life.
She initially stayed in a single evening gown, but the classic sitcom eventually allowed her to experiment, leading to a closet of delightfully gaudy performance outfits, tropical swimwear, and a leopard print dress that fans still fawn over. Thankfully, Ginger's style survived the shipwreck.
Hilary Banks
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Hilary Banks (Karyn Parsons), was so iconic, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's franchise is expanding with a spinoff all about her New York adventures. Of course, while the 2020 reboot is flourishing, the style in the flagship series cannot be replicated.
The central character was renowned for her style in the 1990s, and that fame is still well-deserved today. Every episode, Hilary rocked fitted blazers, tasteful minidresses, and wild hats that demanded attention. Even at her simplest, Hilary looked flawless, and countless fans have attempted to imitate her most iconic looks.
Carrie Bradshaw
Sex and the City
The main characters of Sex and the City were all icons in their own right, but Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) is the uncontested champion of New York fashion. From the pilot episode to the original series finale, Carrie was nothing short of fabulous.
The divisive protagonist also had a direct impact on the real-life fashion industry. As a result of the series, everyone wanted a pair of Manolo Blahnik heels, a white tutu, or a new curl routine. Carrie's love life in Sex and the City may have had its ups and downs, but you could always count on her for a stunning look.
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