Let’s be real — TV fashion didn’t just step out of the screen and whisper inspiration; it soared off the couch, sang a show tune, and took over the streets. From swoon-worthy corseted confections in “Bridgerton” to the ultra-bold Euphoria-core makeup seen everywhere from TikTok to your local coffee shop, TV wardrobes are driving fashion trends harder than ever. So whether you’re scouring Depop for your next corset or just scrolling Instagram muttering “Where did she get that?”—believe me, the answer is probably your favorite binge-watch. Settle in, because we’re about to unravel how costumes turn ordinary fans into style pioneers.
Regencycore Rises: “Bridgerton” and the Corset Comeback
Remember December 2020? We all needed a little escapism, and Netflix delivered “Bridgerton.” What really sucked people in, other than the scandal and smolder, was that lavish, pastel-soaked costume drama. Suddenly, nobody could get enough of empire waistlines, glimmering pearls, and delicate opera gloves. After Season 2 dropped, online searches for Regency-era dresses leaped a whopping 84%. That’s not a typo (Marie Claire Australia). Corset searches more than doubled, surging by 123%. People even scoured the web for pearl headbands and feathered hairpieces — searches soared 49%!
And retailers? They bolted into action. Bloomingdale’s rolled out a “Bridgerton” pop-up, serving pastel tea and showing off actual costumes from the set (Wikipedia). The fashion world couldn’t resist either: the 2022 Met Gala sparkled with modern-day duchesses. It wasn’t just clothing, though. Beauty brands pounced on the excitement, creating makeup lines inspired by the dreamy Regencycore vibe (The Glossary Magazine). In short, this show minted a new aesthetic — and didn’t stop at your closet.
Euphoria: Where Bold Goes Nuclear
Now, flip the channel from those pastel pastiches to HBO’s “Euphoria.” Rue, Jules, Maddie, and the gang basically rewrote the rules for Gen Z style. It’s not just about the clothes — the makeup in “Euphoria” is practically a character. Neon eyeliner, studded gems, glitter tears. You can spot an Euphoria fan from a mile away, usually on TikTok, bathed in sparkles.
After the explosive Season 2 launch in January 2022, searches for “black cutout dresses” shot up 890%. But it didn’t stop there. People also hunted down “lace-up heels,” causing a 125% search bump (Berkley Spectator). Doniella Davy, the show’s own makeup wizard, said Gen Z has been breaking beauty barriers — using social media to rocket these looks around the globe (TIME). Skin jewels appeared in drugstores, and beauty brands released shadow palettes that would make Jules swoon. These aren’t just fleeting trends. They signaled a bright, face-forward, rule-busting way to show personality.
Blast from the Past: “Stranger Things” and Retro Mania
Meanwhile, “Stranger Things” got everyone dusting off their Walkmans and raiding their parents’ closets for 1980s staples. The show does not hold back when it comes to vintage. It delivers a serious serve of denim jackets, acid-wash jeans, chunky trainers, and, let’s not forget, the humble scrunchie. And the impact? Search activity for “scrunchies” spiked by a massive 356%. “Shearling jackets” also grew popular, with a 99% boost (N.Peal). Watching Eleven stomp through Hawkins, you suddenly needed one too.
Big retailers jumped in. H&M and Nike introduced “Stranger Things” lines, dotted with Hawkins High motifs and vintage cuts (Platform Magazine). It didn’t feel costume-y—it felt cool.
Gossip Girl: Still Serving Upper East Side Realness
Who could forget the original “Gossip Girl”? Thanks to Blair Waldorf and Serena van der Woodsen, plaid skirts, headbands, and sharp blazers found their way into everyone’s closet. The show aired from 2007 to 2012, but the momentum hasn’t slowed; Gen Z rediscovered it, and so did brands. Anna Sui even launched a “Gossip Girl”-inspired collection in 2009 (Wikipedia). The preppy, luxe look keeps resurfacing whenever someone craves a bit of Upper East Side flair.
Mad Men Brings Sixties Swing Back
Suddenly, everybody needed a pencil skirt and a sharply tailored suit. “Mad Men” brought 1960s style front and center. It wasn’t just the casting or the sets — it was those outfits. Sterling Cooper secretaries paraded in pillbox hats and shift dresses. Afterward, fashion designers started featuring more 1960s details — think gloves, fedoras, and structured silhouettes — on runways (The Fashion Pot). Sometimes, you catch a coworker channeling Joan Harris, and honestly, who can blame them?
White Lotus & the Jetset Effect
Go on, admit it — the scenery in “The White Lotus” had you googling vacation packages within three episodes. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just wanderlust, it’s a whole new look. Crochet dresses, straw hats, and bucket hats trended like mad. Depop clocked a wild 1700% surge in show-related searches from February to April 2025 (Marie Claire UK). H&M swooped in with capsule collections dedicated to tropical chic. Suddenly, beachy, easy resort-wear left the pool and hit the supermarket aisle.
So, How Does TV Do It?
Simple — it’s all about synergy. Costume designers collaborate closely with directors, cast, and (yes) brands. When a style from TV lands a following, the high street catches on. Partnering with shows has become a sure-fire way for brands to tap into “must have it” energy. Those Bridgerton-inspired makeup lines? They exist because the show’s look connects. “Euphoria” keeps beauty aisles stocked with rhinestone stickers. And in the age of the internet, one Instagram post can unleash a fashion flood.
Apps and sites now make this even easier. Montage, for example, tracks and sources pieces from shows, turning TV nostalgia into your new wardrobe (Marie Claire UK). This creates a loop. What you watch becomes what you want to wear. And what you wear shows up on your feed, which circles back to what shows chase for that “next big thing.”
Small Screen, Big Impact: It’s More Than Costumes
TV has always wielded closet magic. It’s not new — Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw invented the Manolo Blahnik mania, and “Friends” sparked a universal chase for “The Rachel” haircut. But now, franchises and fandoms have supercharged that influence. Even if you’re not hunting vintage on eBay, chances are you’re grabbing style tips from a streamer’s hottest show.
To recap some of the loudest fashion earthquakes:
- “Bridgerton” unleashed Regencycore, from corsets to pearl-embellished everything.
- “Euphoria” flipped beauty rules — think neon, sparkle, bold, and open to all.
- “Stranger Things” revived 80s nostalgia, making scrunchies and shearling cool again.
- “Gossip Girl” and “Mad Men” just keep inspiring designers and high-street brands.
- “White Lotus” has everyone thinking resort-wear belongs at brunch.
Why It Keeps Working
Streaming made TV more personal. People now binge-watch — and binge-adopt style. Moments go viral in hours. Designers study these trends, then elevate them on the runway or drop them in stores. What’s next? “Wednesday” Addams goth-chic went viral as well, and we’re seeing 90s and Y2K trends cycle back thanks to endless reboot fever.
Above all, fandoms keep things buzzing long after a finale. Costume designers are the unsung heroes — bridging art and trend, character and commerce, story and street style. So next time you spot a new trend out in the wild, remember: it probably made its debut during the opening credits.
Stay Tuned: The Fashion Show Is Just Getting Started
Television isn’t leaving the fashion front row anytime soon. As more shows compete for eyeballs — and wardrobe envy — expect your closet to keep filling up with small-screen inspiration. So whether you’re practicing your “Bridgerton” twirl, packing for a “White Lotus”-worthy vacay, or loading up on sparkle for your own “Euphoria” night out, one thing’s clear: TV style doesn’t just set trends, it rewrites them. Pass the popcorn — and the pearl headband!
