The 25 Most Stylish TV Shows from the ’90s ‘Til Now

Anjli Mehta
Sep 18, 2016

As far as we’re concerned, there aren’t a lot of problems in the world that a TV show marathon can’t fix. Need to chill after a long week? Netflix marathon. Having an “off day?” A couple episodes of Friends should do the trick. Bonus points, however, will be awarded to any show that has serious style. We’re talking do-a-double-take-on-your-screen style. Whether it’s a moody period piece or a modern-day buddy sitcom, the wardrobe on set can make all the difference. And yes, in case you’re wondering, Gossip Girl did make the cut — but don’t worry, we’ve also tucked a few wild cards into the list. Scroll on to find out which shows’ outfits always stole the scene.

1. Mad Men: The show that inspired thousands of Halloween costumes, Mad Men gave us serious throwback style, from perfectly coiffed hair to fit-and-flare dresses. This 1960s drama had us wondering if we were born in the wrong era. If this show taught us one thing, it’s that the updo is totally underrated. (Photo via AMC)

2. The O.C.: Okay so, maybe you’re rewatching the episodes on Hulu and cringe at the cropped boleros and ultra-low-rise ruffle mini skirts. But, we’d be lying if we said the show’s looks weren’t what our high school closet dreams were made of. In fact, we’re still on the hunt for Summer and Marissa’s prom dresses. (Photo via Fox)

3. Clarissa Explains It All: Clarissa Darling is a girl after our own heart. She knew the importance of an embellished denim jacket with a side of sarcasm to boot. She tackled major issues like boys, pimples and an annoying little brother, all while rockin’ bold prints and scrunchies for days. (Photo via Nickelodeon)

4. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air: Sorry to Lena Dunham and the cast of GIRLS, but this show invented “power clashing.” Yes to candy-colored stripes. Yes to bright prints. Yes to shoulder-pad blazers. Why not wear it all at once? This ’90s sitcom really had it goin’ on. (Photo via NBC Universal)

5. Empire: Can we get a “Yas Kween!” for our girl Cookie? Major props to any woman who can pull off a head-to-toe leopard look, fedora and all. A furry fuchsia stole, a gold snakeskin blazer, a studded red leather ensemble — honey, these are just the BASICS! Is there anything this woman can’t wear? (Photo via Fox)

6. Daria: This iconic cartoon has us craving a serious combat boot comeback. Even though Daria Morgendorffer would probably never approve of being on a list like this, we couldn’t help but add her anyway. Her signature outfit is equal parts edgy and effortless. Also, shout out to Jane Lane’s amazing blunt bob. (Photo via MTV)

7. Gossip Girl: This one’s a total no-brainer, and the only thing that could rival Gossip Girl‘s amazing wardrobe would be the series finale plot twist. From Blair’s headbands to Serena’s ability to rock sequins with her school uniform, the show’s stylist Eric Daman really knew how to put together a killer look. We’re not worthy. (Photo via The CW)

8. Sex and the City: Where do you think Gossip Girl’s Eric Daman picked up his skills? From the legendary Pat Field on set for Sex and the City, of course. Our four favorite gals were always dressed to impress, thanks to her innovative and award-winning styling. Tulle tutus, Chanel statement necklaces and oversized flower pins — if you can name it, chances are one of the SATC girls has worn it. (Photo via HBO)

9. Ally McBeal: Two words: mini skirts. The ’90s were in full force for the majority of this show’s run, so this supermodel-approved look was everywhere, even fictional TV courtrooms. Ally’s irreverent attitude led to some chic takes on typical nine-to-five wear. (And we loved every second of it.) (Photo via Fox)

10. Friends: Rachel Green in overalls. Monica in mom jeans. Phoebe in a fuzzy orange coat. This show was squad fashion #goals. Every episode of this classic show is jam-packed with outfits we wish we had in our closets now. And if still loving these looks is wrong, well then we don’t want to be right. (Photo via NBC Universal)

11. Glee: Confession: We wish we had a Cheerios uniform of our own, not just for Halloween costumes but also just regular ole Thursdays when you need a bit of pep in your step. We love that each cast member had such a defined style during the series. Rachel’s adorkable outfits, Mr. Schuester’s vests and Finn’s “ambiguously sporty” tees were in constant rotation. (Photo via Fox)

12. Scandal: No matter how crazy Olivia Pope’s life gets, this fixer’s wardrobe is always on point. Between draped cardigans, Prada bags and impeccably cut trousers, Olivia Pope is a style maven. When in doubt, just add a glass of red. It’s the perfect accessory. (Photo via ABC)

13. Scream Queens: This modern whodunit may be all about a mysterious murder, but we have to admit the girls on this show are also *killing* the style game. Forget Vineyard Vines and Lily Pulitzers, these sorority girls are rockin’ Gucci, Valentino and Fendi. We have Emmy-winning stylist Lou Eyrich to thank for that. She was also the mastermind behind Glee. (Photo via Fox)

14. My So-Called Life: Heavy sigh for just one second while we sit here and reminisce about Jordan Catalano. Button-up floral dresses, flannel shirts and penny loafers — whoa, wait a minute, this sounds exactly like what’s in our current closets. The outfits in this teen drama definitely make our hearts skip a beat. (Photo via ABC)

15. Saved by the Bell: We’re so excited! We’re so scared! From the crop tops to the crimped hair, nothing says the ’90s like Saved by the Bell. Practically every ensemble featured in this after-school special was vibrant, bedazzled and totally off the wall — in the best way ever, of course. (Photo via NBC Universal)

16. Sabrina the Teenage Witch: You basically weren’t a ’90s girl if you didn’t have magazine rip-outs or posters on your bedroom walls of Melissa Joan Hart slaying it in a crushed velvet mini dress and platforms. Her outfits were pure 2000s magic and inspired many a trip to the mall. (Photo via ABC)

17. The Nanny: Let’s just say what needs to be said here: Fran Fine (aka the nanny of The Nanny) was way ahead of her time. Her coordinating mini skirt and blazer sets elevated the typical weekday ensembles, while her stunning sequin gowns were the life of every party. Not to mention, we would give anything to score one of Yetta Rosenburg’s sequin bomber jackets RN. (Photo via CBS)

18. Sister, Sister: If you’re getting ready in the morning and your outfit feels like it’s missing something, take a cue from this popular sitcom and just put a hat on. No show’s wardrobe department could rival the hat collection of Tia and Tamera Mowry, after all. Sister, Sister took twinning to the next level with just-mis-matched-enough ensembles. (Photo via ABC)

19. Lizzie McGuire: Nothing inspired a shopping trip to Limited Too quite like an episode of Lizzie McGuire. While her best accessory might’ve been the cartoon alter ego on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, we think her rhinestone headbands, platform Sketchers and cropped flares could’ve been a close second. (Photo via The Disney Channel)

20. The Good Wife: Now there’s a woman who knew the power of a pencil skirt. Saint Alicia always looked heavenly in her signature blazer and bodycon silhouettes. Because honestly, nothing makes you feel like a total #girlboss than putting on something that’s perfectly tailored. Never too fussy or over the top, all of Alicia’s looks were understated and chic. (Photo via CBS)

21. So Little Time: Nowadays, the Olsen twins are off creating minimalist chic pieces for their own lines. But little did we know, this ABC Family sitcom would be one of our last few chances to view Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s designer creations. On set, shrunken cardigans, cargo pants and clogs reigned supreme. Not to mention, this show is basically the reason why we begged our moms to let us get highlights. (Photo via ABC)

22. A Different World: We’ll put it this way: Whitley Gilbert gave us life. Her pleated trousers, over-the-top fur coats and puffy-sleeved wedding dress were unforgettable fashion moments. This Cosby Show spin-off also included equally noteworthy style moments from Denise (so many hair wraps!) and Maggie (that oversized denim jacket!). (Photo via NBC Universal)

23. Jane the Virgin: Okay, so the awful Marbella waitress uniform aside, this show actually takes a refreshingly realistic approach to wardrobe. We may not “ooh and ahh” over the breezy sundresses or “fancy” shorts, but we can appreciate these are items we’re more likely to find in our own closets. As if you needed more proof that Jane Villanueva is 100% relatable. (Photo via The CW)

24. The Mindy Project: Costume designer Salvador Perez is the mastermind behind Mindy’s bold ensembles that always pack a punch. And that’s not an easy task. With nearly 15 costume changes per episode, he still manages to outdo himself with each look and prove that Mindy looks radiant in literally every color under the sun. (Photo via Fox)

25. The Carrie Diaries: RIP The Carrie Diaries, you left us too soon. The premier stylist for teen dramas, Eric Daman created a wardrobe unicorn by blending the aesthetics of Sex and the City and Gossip Girl to create truly unique and totally fun outfits for every character on this show. Not to mention, the show is set in the ’80s, so the prom dress scenes are out of control. (Photo via The CW)

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(Featured photo via AMC)

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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