Fictional characters you can look to for style inspiration

Discovering your personal style and finding the clothing you feel comfortable wearing can be quite challenging and typically requires no small amount of trial and error. Many people feel that drawing inspiration from people or things around them helps a lot, but a new trend has begun: getting inspiration from your favorite fictional characters. If you’re a huge fan of a movie or TV series, there’s probably a character that feels closer to your heart and whose style might fit into what you’d like your outfits to look like as well. Wearing merch of your favorite characters works as well. For instance, Stitch bags and backpacks would make great gifts for your superfan friends, but can also be a nice present you treat yourself too. If you’re looking for some extra fashion inspiration, here are a few of the greatest fashion icons that may have also graced your screen. 

Denise Huxtable 

Portrayed by actress Lisa Bonet, Denise Huxtable is one of the most fashion-conscious characters in history and is consistently ranked as such by media publications. Her style has been described as boho-chic and bohemian and is recognizable by the use of a large number of accessories. The character’s hairstyles were also changing frequently, and she favored menswear pieces, high-waisted trousers, and vintage clothing, all of which are very popular at the moment. 

Andy Sachs 

The Devil Wears Prada was released in 2006 and has since earned cult status among fans from all over the world. In fact, debates about the characters continue to this day (Was Nate a well-intentioned boyfriend who wanted to prevent his partner from becoming something she despised, or a selfish and insecure man afraid of her potential success?), and the “cerulean sweater speech” and “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking!” are among the most widely recognized lines in all of cinema. The film had a costuming budget of around $100,000, so there are many iconic outfits to pick and choose from, but Andy’s Chanel makeover, complete with the thigh-high boots, is definitely one of the most noteworthy. 

Holly Golightly 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the best-known movies in the world, a romantic comedy following the life of socialite Holly Golightly. The film’s opening scene is so iconic that it is recognizable even to those who haven’t watched the movie, featuring Holly herself eating her breakfast while standing outside the Tiffany & Co. flagship store and looking into the windows. While most people wouldn’t wear a dramatic, black Givenchy gown with full-length gloves first thing in the morning, the character’s sartorial choices (including her stylish sleepwear choices) have made her a fashion icon forever, sending the message that you don’t need a special occasion to dress up. 

Rue Bennett 

Euphoria has been surrounded by controversy throughout its entire run, both on and offscreen, but that hasn’t stopped the fans from taking inspiration from the characters’ fashion choices. In fact, fans have also analyzed the ways in which the clothes have become a storytelling device in and of themselves, giving hints about a character’s motivations and future journey. Rue’s style is experimental, comfortable, and focused on gender-neutral pieces. The 90s skater and vintage workwear influences tie the ensemble together to create a style that feels very modern but essentially timeless at the same time. 

Villanelle 

In Killing Eve, Villanelle is an assassin who becomes obsessed with British intelligence agent Eve Polastri. What sets the character apart from other fictional killers-for-hire is the fact that Villanelle is incredibly stylish in a visible, easily recognizable kind of way. Instead of wearing things that would help her blend into the crowd and move on unobserved, she’s more likely to wear bold pink, tulle, and vibrant prints. The fact that all the clothes are designer (and therefore come with a rather hefty price tag) only goes to show that her extravagance is part of the fact that she does what she chooses and whenever she chooses. 

Anime characters 

It wouldn’t feel fair to have a list of the most fashionable characters without mentioning some animated characters. Osaki Nana’s distinctive style is largely inspired by the punk subculture but features gothic elements as well. Her style, including bold leather jackets, short skirts, and unique jewelry, is meant to showcase her individuality. Another character with an alternative style is Death Note’s Amane Misa, whose appearance is also a nod to visual kei, a Japanese subculture originating from glam and shock rock and which is focused on extravagant costumes. In the 2020s, a new subculture known as Jirai Kei originated in Kabukicho. 

The style donned by those who are part of this community includes elements such as bows, platform shoes, crosses and lace, with the main colors used being black, pale pink and white. 

Clementine Kruczynski

Clementine’s character could have ended up as nothing more than a two-dimensional quirky character that exists more as a plot device rather than feeling like a real person in her own right, but instead of that, she is portrayed as a complex individual who is struggling with several different issues of her own. Her style is very colorful and eclectic, so it can provide plenty of inspiration if you’re not keen on minimalism and neutral tones. Some of the accessories she wears, such as the arm warmers, can feel a little dated, but they can also be a practical option if you live in an area that gets pretty cold. Clementine’s hair is part of her look as well, so if you’ve been thinking about trying bolder colors, this could be your sign to give it a go. 

Ransom Drysdale 

Although menswear often doesn’t get as much attention when it comes to movie costuming, there are some notable examples. One of them is that of Chris Evans’ Ransom Drysdale, the spoiled scion of the Thrombey family, whose Aran jumper created a frenzy at the time when the film was originally released. This cable-knit garment hails from the Aran Islands in Ireland, where it has been common since around the 1890s. Recently, it has also become a staple among fashion lovers who are fond of its ability to look stylish and cozy at the same time. The sweater worn in the film is frayed and even torn in several areas, a nod to the fact that the character is a spendthrift who doesn’t understand the value of money because he’s never had to work to earn it himself. His Gucci loafers are similarly distressed. If you like investing in high-quality pieces that come with a steeper price tag, this is a behavior you’ll probably want to avoid recreating. 

Getting style and fashion inspiration from different sources can help you find something you like. So, what better way to achieve this than to get inspiration from fictional media, where there’s such a large variety of characters and looks to pick and choose from?