The Most Fashionable TV Shows of All Time

October 2024 · 11 minute read

The Most Fashionable TV Shows of All Time

Pretty Little Liars

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STYLE PROFILE The secrets and twists in this series are dramatic; the jewel-toned dresses and endless accessories are plain perfect.

Modern Family

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STYLE PROFILE Gloria Delgado-Pritchett (Sofia Vergara) accents her spicy attitude with form-flattering dresses and spiky stilettos.

Glee

Justin Campbell/Startraks Photo

STYLE PROFILE High-school stereotypes at their best: the All-American jocks, bright cheerleaders and glee club getups that hit all the right notes.

MORE: See Lea Michele's Transformation!

Cougartown

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STYLE PROFILE Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox) is a true cougar in cropped denim, not tacky leopard print.

MORE: See Courteney Cox's Transformation!

The City

Jennifer Livingston/MTV

STYLE PROFILE Whitney Port traded in her Cali-girl casual for Manhattan couture when she made the move to the big city.

True Blood

John P. Johnson

STYLE PROFILE Sookie (Anna Paquin) makes white t-shirts as suggestive as lingerie; Sophie-Anne Leclerq (Evan Rachel Wood) makes us all wish we were glamorous, 500-year-old vampires.

MORE: See Anna Paquin's Transformation!

Lipstick Jungle

Andrew Eccles/NBC

STYLE PROFILE Three New York City power-women in on-trend outfits for a too-short single season.

The Wizards of Waverly Place

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STYLE PROFILE Alex Russo's (Selena Gomez) fashion sense is pure magic, thanks to her ruffled tops and fun-loving accessories.

MORE: See Selena Gomez's Transformation!

Mad Men

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STYLE PROFILE Tailored pencil skirts, divine cocktail dresses and absolutely impeccable hair and makeup are the foundation to the ultimate throwback show. In fact, the styles are so coveted, Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant created a capsule collection of similar styles for Banana Republic.

MORE: See Christina Hendricks's Transformation!
MORE: See January Jones's Transformation!

Gossip Girl

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STYLE PROFILE When a show centers on Manhattan life, there's a good chance you'll see some fashion. Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) and Serena van der Woodsen's (Blake Lively) trendy mixed prints and couture frocks bring as much drama as their peers on the Upper East Side. The entire gang shows off any girl's style wish list week to week, compliments of star stylist Eric Daman.

MORE: See Leighton Meester's Transformation!
MORE: See Blake Lively's Transformation!

Ugly Betty

Courtesy of ABC

STYLE PROFILE Wilhemina Slater (Vanessa Williams) worked her flair at MODE in over-the-top ensembles; Betty Suarez's (America Ferrera) quirky getups were anything but ugly.

MORE: See Vanessa Williams's Transformation!
MORE: See America Ferrera's Transformation!

The Hills

Courtesy of MTV

STYLE PROFILE Black nail polish + one-shoulder dresses + low-key internships = cute and camera-ready at every turn.

MORE: See Lauren Conrad's Transformation!

Laguna Beach

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STYLE PROFILE Highlights, Henley tees and flare jeans-and a string bikini always at the ready.

MORE: See Lauren Conrad's Transformation!

Desperate Housewives

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STYLE PROFILE Nothing desperate about skinny jeans, stilettos and satin.

MORE: See Eva Longoria's Transformation!

One Tree Hill

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STYLE PROFILE Head cheerleader Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) was One Tree Hill's resident fashionista with her figure-flattering dresses and trendy accessories.

The OC

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STYLE PROFILE Wealthy California girls in diaphanous dresses with feminine details.

MORE: See Rachel Bilson's Transformation!

Arrested Development

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STYLE PROFILE Lindsay (Portia de Rossi) cared deeply about the Bluth family wealth-and it showed in her impeccable, if skimpy, wardrobe.

Six Feet Under

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STYLE PROFILE The arty Claire Fisher (Lauren Ambrose) kept things lively in the funeral parlor with her ripped jeans, chunky rings and flame red hair.

Lizzie McGuire

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STYLE PROFILE Tie-dye tops and pendant necklaces kept the non-animated Lizzie (Hillary Duff) at the top of her game.

MORE: See Hilary Duff's Transformation!

Gilmore Girls

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STYLE PROFILE Two different generations, one on-trend shared closet.

That '70s Show

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STYLE PROFILE Feminist Donna (Laura Prepon) wore svelte bell-bottoms and subdued shirts, spoiled Jackie (Mila Kunis) wore cheery shirt-dresses and cute wedges.

MORE: See Mila Kunis's Transformation!

Popular

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STYLE PROFILE Glamazons Brooke McQueen (Leslie Bibb) and Nicole Julian (Tammy Lynn Michaels) were the posterchildren for the clean-cut '90s, while the "unpopular" Sam McPherson (Carly Pope) opted for grungy, rocker-chic ensembles.

Law and Order: SVU

NBCU Photo Bank

STYLE PROFILE No one makes a holster and a PO badge sexier than Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).

MORE: See Mariska Hargitay's Transformation!

Will and Grace

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STYLE PROFILE Despite a multiple crumbling relationships throughout the series' run, Grace (Debra Messing) never once missed a style beat (no sweatpants for this girl!), while Will (Eric McCormack) kept a closet full of perfectly cut suits on hand. Bonus: Jack (Sean Hayes) gave the ever-polished Grace a run for her money in sweater-vests and suits.

Sex and the City

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STYLE PROFILE There was something for everyone in this dynamic foursome: From sex-pot Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and androgynous attorney Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) to fashionista Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Park Avenue princess Charlotte (Kristin Davis), costume designer Patricia Fields loaded the ladies up with designer duds and stylish touches.

MORE: See Sarah Jessica Parker's Transformation!

Felicity

Justin Campbell/Startraks Photo

STYLE PROFILE College isn't all about sweatpants and hoodies. Especially if you're Felicity (Keri Russell) and you've got well-cut jeans and tons of great shoes. (Converse, loafers, stilettos.)

Dawson's Creek

Globe Photos/Zuma

STYLE PROFILE Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) was sweet in her girl-next-door tanks and tees, Jenn Lindley (Michelle Williams) was complicated in her all-black New York City get-ups.

MORE: See Katie Holmes's Transformation!
MORE: See Michelle Williams's Transformation!

Charmed

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STYLE PROFILEThe Halliwell sisters were good witches with good wardrobes, living the charmed life in sequins and satin.

Daria

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STYLE PROFILE Nah nah nahnahnah. Both Doc Martens and baby doll tees abounded in Lawndale.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Courtesy of UPN

STYLE PROFILE How best to fight off all forces of darkness? In cowl-neck tank tops and bedazzled jeans, of course.

MORE: See Sarah Michelle Gellar's Transformation!

Ally McBeal

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STYLE PROFILE America will remember the Dancing Baby, we remember Ally's (Calista Flockhart) pant-free legs that flounced around the firm of Cage and Fish with panache.

Party of Five

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STYLE PROFILE The Salinger family had a tragic past, but that didn't make their collection of cropped blazers, silky camis, and delicate silver jewelery any less extensive.

MORE: See Jennifer Love Hewitt's Transformation!

My So-Called Life

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STYLE PROFILE Angela Chase (Claire Danes) may have been discovering her identity, but her wardrobe of boyfriend sweaters and plaid shorts was unquestionably spot-on.

MORE: See Claire Danes's Transformation!

Friends

NBCU Photo Bank

STYLE PROFILE Who got it best: Monica (Courteney Cox) in her chunky loafers, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) in her sheer black hose, or Pheobe (Lisa Kudrow) in her paisley skirts?

MORE: See Jennifer Aniston's Transformation!
MORE: See Courteney Cox's Transformation!

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Dr. Quinn (Jane Seymour) tended to the sick and ailing in Colorado Springs in blousy button-ups, flowy skirts, and occasionally, suede separates.

Melrose Place

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STYLE PROFILE Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear) was a recurring guest star, but she turned heads nonetheless with her bottomless supply of tight, monochromatic minis.

MORE: See Heather Locklear's Transformation!

Mad About You

NBCU Photo Bank

STYLE PROFILE Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt) won our hearts in distressed jeans, bulky blazers and those innocuous black dress shoes that everyone seemed to have back then.

Clarissa Explains It All

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STYLE PROFILE Clarissa (Melissa Joan Hart) had a genius wardrobe of scrunchies, sunflower hats and suspenders.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

NBCU Photo Bank

STYLE PROFILE The Banks women were strict and sexy in primary colors with rich accents.

Beverly Hills 90210

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Spaghetti straps and acid wash denim: How else are you going to land a beau at West Beverly High?

Baywatch

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Red Spandex took on new meaning when stretched across CJ Parker's (Pamela Anderson) jaw-dropping bod.

The Simpsons

Courtesy of Fox

STYLE PROFILE Marge Simpson knows if you find a signature look, just go with it. Hers just happens to be a strapless minty tube dress, comfy red flats and a statement choker.

The Wonder Years

Retna

STYLE PROFILE Was there any pre-teen who didn't want Winnie's (Danica McKeller) hair, bangs, belts and boyfriend? Whether you lived through that era or just wished you did, the the five-year series nailed '60s/'70s style perfectly, from Winnie's adolescent evolution to Karen's (Olivia D'abo) hippie-chic ways.

Murphy Brown

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE We're not reporting it as fact, but Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) just may have pioneered the ubiquitous office-appropriate white turtleneck.

MORE: See Candice Bergen's Transformation!

Married With Children

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STYLE PROFILE For Peg (Katey Segal), every fight over Al's credit-card bill was worth it when she looked into her closet of off-the-shoulder bustiers, towering stilettos, and skimpy body conscious minis.

Full House

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Long before The Row or Elizabeth & James, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were layering, mixing patterns and adding accessories as the adorable, fashion-forward Michelle Tanner.

MORE: See Ashley Olsen's Transformation!
MORE: See Mary-Kate Olsen's Transformation!

Star Trek

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STYLE PROFILE Monochromatic spacesuits that showed off out-of-this world bodies.

Punky Brewster

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STYLE PROFILE Punky's (Soleil Moon Frye) new dad may have been a curmudgeon, but he sure stocked her wardrobe with an enviable blend of funky-fresh separates and cheery hair baubles.

Designing Women

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Sugarbaker Designs may have specialized in interiors, but the Southern belles at the helm showed their fashion savvy in vibrant poly-blends and contoured cheeks. While the group's color-bright frocks and high-volume hair may look thoroughly '80s, these ladies were at the forefront of fashion at the time.

The Golden Girls

Courtesy of ABC

STYLE PROFILE An ode to pastel, pantsuits, and perma-set hair.

MORE: See Betty White's Transformation!
MORE: See Rue McClanahan's Transformation!
MORE: See Estelle Getty's Transformation!

The Cosby Show

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashād) was the most elegant lawyer in New York City in gold-buttoned blazers and slimming pencils skirts.

Family Ties

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STYLE PROFILE Sure, they were suburban. But was there anyone in America who didn't admire Alex P. Keaton's (Michael J. Fox) suit-and-tie duos and Jennifer's (Tina Yothers) perfect perm?

Dynasty

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STYLE PROFILE Behemoth shoulder pads and impossibly trim waistlines topped off gold jewelry and a long mist of Aqua-Net.

Dallas

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STYLE PROFILE The Ewings tried to keep up appearances in simple, southern basics with nary a ten gallon hat in site.

The Muppet Show

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Bring on the lace, the silk chiffon, the pearls, the feathers and don't forget the faux lashes.

Laverne and Shirley

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STYLE PROFILE These quirky roommates shared an endless supply of Peter Pan collars, shoulder pads, and modest below-the-knee skirts.

Charlie's Angels

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STYLE PROFILE An homage to '70s casual: Feathered hair, belts on everything, and nude nylons in the summer. And of course, a coordinated color palettes no matter what the case.

MORE: See Farrah Fawcett's Transformation!

Good Times

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STYLE PROFILE Psychedelic patterns, velour button-ups and men in belted, high-waisted trousers. Good times, indeed.

The Partridge Family

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE On-stage, the fam sported crisp, coordinated looks. At home, Shirley Partridge accessorized her pantsuits with embellished aprons and boho jewels.

The Brady Bunch

ABC Photo

STYLE PROFILE Jumpers, rompers, bell-bottoms, oh my! Oh, and did we mention the polyester?

That Girl

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STYLE PROFILE That suit, those gloves, those shoes, that purse. Marlo Thomas played aspiring actress Ann Marie, one of the first portrayals of a career girl (as opposed to a spouse or homemaker), and she had the wardrobe of a wonderfully independent woman. Her rainbow assortment of mod clothes was the perfect complement to her bubbly personality.

I Dream of Jeannie

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE A mix of sharp '60s housewife and 2,000-year-old midriff-baring genie chic.

Green Acres

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Lisa Douglas (Eva Gabor) may have left New York City behind, but she brought along her city wardrobe of evening gowns, feather boas, and garish peasant dresses.

Bewitched

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STYLE PROFILE With the wiggle of her nose, Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) could make a closet full of sleeveless shift dresses look like a million bucks. While the costumes husband Darren appeared in (and the antics the family members got them into) were comical and creative, Samantha plethora of pretty day dresses and romantic dressing gowns were a housewife's dream.

The Jetsons

GLOBE PHOTOS

STYLE PROFILE Everything's bouncier in the future! Perky hair, stand-up collars, and bell-shaped skirts.

The Addams Family

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Plunging necklines, floor-length skirts, and black black black.

The Flintstones

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STYLE PROFILE Anything but the stone ages! Micro-minis, exposed shoulders, and statement necklaces showed off the ladies curves. Paired with architecturally coiffed 'dos and a swipe of red lipstick, Wilma and Betty were perpetually primped and ready to go.

I Love Lucy

Everett Collection

STYLE PROFILE Housewife basics made playful thanks to nipped-in waists and loud patterns.

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