the 10 TV characters that inspired me fashion-wise from Wonder-Woman to Killing Eve's Villanelle

 I am not embarrassed to admit that I watch a fair amount of television. I can watch it well into the early hours watching whole series in one sitting. I'm the ultimate binge-watcher. From Good Girls and Breaking Bad to Sopranos and Game of Thrones, there are few TV series I've gone through that I haven't been truly said when they ended. Right now, everyone is watching Netflix like their life depended on it, dissecting plots and analysing characters. As this blog focuses on fashion, I thought I'd combine the two and have a look at the best dressed characters on my favourite shows through the years. The ones who have directly influenced my style today. Essentially, which TV characters have made my wardrobe what it is today?

Fashion can elevate your favourite TV character into a bona fide icon.

I've given it a lot of thought and have come up with my definitive list of characters whose wardrobes have directly influenced mine 

since I started watching television in the 1970s. Before you start getting annoyed that I've missed your favourite show/character out  - this is just my opinion, my list. I know lots of people will choose Gossip Girl characters or  Mad Men, but I'm sticking to characters from series I've watched and so have personally inspired me. 

The right on-screen outfits can define a personality and make a dramatic moment unforgettable. These are some of the characters whose style I'm still obsessed with, In no particular order:

1. Villanelle

Jody Comer as Villanelle in Killing Eve wears Molly Goddard.

Who said you can’t be a hitwoman and obsessed with fashion? Jodie Comer’s Villanelle is unhinged and totally fabulous. Her style is OTT, cutting edge and high fashion – she’s often styled in designers such as The Vampire’s Wife and Molly Goddard.

Villanelle’s outfits are always unexpected – including a perfectly tailored black suit for her wedding, or a fluffy green outfit for a golf/murder trip.

Ever since Killing Eve's Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer, pranced through the streets of Paris in a pink tulle dress (a flashback to Carrie Bradshaw's famous tutu) designed by Molly Goddard she has become a fashion icon.

Villanelle’s bold looks have taken Pinterest by storm, sparking a 1,060 per cent increase in searches year-on-year.

Meanwhile, Lyst data shows that following the first episode of the second series there have been over 3,000 searches for “Killing Eve pyjamas”.

With her very distinctive and on-trend style, there is little surprise that Villanelle's designer looks have topped this list with viewers wanting to emulate some of her most memorable fashion moments.

There has been a 1,060 per cent increase in searches year-on-year for her style – and she has also caused spikes in specific pieces. In April and May, searches for Rosie Assoulin were up 49 per cent, while demand for Chloé suits was up 32 per cent. Following the first episode of the second series, there have been over 3,000 searches for 'Killing Eve pyjamas'.

When Jodie Comer playing Killing Eve assassin Villanelle popped up wearing this pink tulle creation, everyone suddenly become obsessed and it really set the benchmark for the character's high fashion selections that feel fun and playful.

Villanelle in her gold pyramid earrings.

When I saw these giant gold pyramid earrings on Villanelle, I wanted them Part Alexis Colby, part Mary J Blige, part Edie Sedgwick these earrings are everything. Even though I'd probably never wear them. Villanelle is a chameleon in her clothes, as well as in her personality. She is able to pull off youthful outfits such as black Dr Martens and pink dresses, she's also able to do sophisticated. This is why she is such a great style icon. However, the outfit that truly won her a world of fans, was the boys pyjamas she wore in Season 2. “Villanelle fetishizes clothes,” Killing Eve Season 2 showrunner Emerald Fennell told the press at Winter TCA, before explaining that the pajamas Villanelle wears are “very, very specific.”

“I think clothes often are thought of as being something frivolous, maybe because they’re thought of as being feminine, but I think we all know as women how powerful clothes and appearance can be as a weapon,” Fennell said.

Villanelle’s pajamas aren’t a weapon so much as an explosion of personality. She comes to them the normal way: through theft and murder.

Villanelle goes to hospital to treat a stab wound, where she meets a young boy, Gabriel.

Gabriel is sweet, and takes a liking to Villanelle, so when she asks for clothes, he lets her wear one of his spare pairs of pajamas. That’s how Villanelle comes to the primary color pop art ensemble. Though she rolls her eyes and sarcastically calls the look, “Sexy,” it is. It clings to her form like a body suit and makes her look impish. Furthermore, the pajamas are covered in violent interjections like “Bam,” “Craassh,” “Grrrr…,” and of course, “Pow!” These words don’t just evoke the innocent wonder of comic books, but serve as a warning. Villanelle is the explosion coming for you.

Villanelle in her stolen pyjamas.

2. Moira Rose

Moira Rose and her inspo, Daphne Guinness.

The Daphne Guinness inspired look of the eccentric matriarch from Schitt's Creek has one of the most desirable wardrobes in recent times. The Rose family might have lost all their money, but Moira Rose still managed to bring a whole lot of couture to the town of Schitt's Creek! Having Daphne Guinness as inso meant a lot of black and white and a lot of Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Stella McCartney. Catherine O'Hara's scene-stealing character not only served up impeccable black-and-white outfits, but kept things fresh thanks to her impressive wall of wigs. 

3 Carrie Bradshaw

Carrie Bradshaw played by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City.

The signature "Carrie" necklaces, the giant flower brooches, the Manolos, that opening-scene tutu: Bradshaw defined single-girl style in New York City in the 90s like no other. How she afforded it all writing that column, we'll never know.

Few shows can count fashion as a bona fide character, the exception being "Sex and the City." During the run of the show Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, turned Manolo Blahnik into a household name, created more than few fashion trends (nameplate necklaces and oversized flower pins among them), and had women around the world pining to simply be half as chic  

Carrie Bradshaw and Aidan.

During the Aiden phase (in fact, this is when she first met him), she wore some of her best outfits. This polka-dot pussy-bow blouse is timeless.

4 Marrissa Cooper The OC

Mischa Barton as Marrissa Cooper in The O.C

If anyone epitomized the style of the early aughts, it was Marissa Cooper on "The O.C."When "Coop" first burst onto the small screen, girls everywhere collectively sighed in jealously at her wardrobe. Marissa showcased some of the finest fashion of the era, from the chain-link Chanel bag that she wore as a book bag to high school, to the Marc by Marc Jacobs sundresses that she seemingly had an endless supply of, to the Chanel haute couture gown she wore to prom, Marissa's wardrobe was impeccable California rich-kid styling. The feelings of inadequacy were real.

5. Every chanracter on Twin Peaks

Audrey Horne played by Sherilyn Fenn in Twin Peaks.

David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" is a masterpiece, and the styling on it is a masterclass in late 80s, early 90s, Americana. tyle-wise, Lynch’s longtime collaborator Patricia Norris, a costume designer who dressed 68 Twin Peaks residents, helped to shape the show into a much-referenced '90s dreamscape. From Agent Cooper’s slick mac and suit to Audrey Horne’s 1940s femme fatale-inspired get-up, every character had a distinctly memorable – and imitable – look. James and Bobby, the two besties from the town and Laura Palmers beaus, wear James Dean-esque jeans and white t-shirts with "Marlon Brando in the Wild One" Biker boots and leather jackets. Laura Palmer was the cool American Prom Queen. Shelley is the most gorgeous and best dressed waitress in a diner that that you could ever imagine. All long shiny hair and pillow lips in the perfect shade of 90s terracotta lipstick. And then there's Audrey Horne, played by Sherilyn Fenn - probably the most memorable wardrobe of all. Her uniform, a mix of cropped sweaters, high-waisted tartan skirts, and black-and-white brogues, screams femme fatale in the best possible way. Although I was a Shelley/Laura fan back in the day, today, this is the character I would die to go vintage shopping with. 

6 Denise Huxtable The Cosby Show

Denise Huxtable played by Lisa Bonet in The Cosby Show.

Few TV characters have been as fearless when it comes to fashion as "The Cosby Show's" Denise Huxtable, played by Lisa Bonet. The free-spirited second eldest child 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, her style can be best defined as wholly committed. Whether she’s rocking a layered bohemian look with lots of clunky jewellery, or a college kid, she gives every look her all. The best kind of style chameleon.

And if you pay close attention, beneath the layering and the maximalism and the general refusal to toe the sartorial line, there’s a theme of unrestrained creativity. Denim jackets are never just denim jackets for Denise; scarves are never just scarves. This is what makes her such a style icon. Oversized smocks, harem pants, jumpsuits, oversized blazers, patterened head wraps—we'll forever be in awe of Denise's style.

7. Wonder Woman

Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman Series One.

The Wonder Woman television series is generally considered campy and not that great quality-wise, but it was recognized in one major way. The series won for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama or Comedy Series in 1978. Costume designer Donfeld, the stage name of Los Angeles native Donald Lee Feld, won for his exquisite interpretation of the Wonder Woman costume. Feld was later nominated for Academy Awards for Costume Design a total of four times.

The series starred 24-year-old Lynda Carter, a Miss World USA winner. Carter later admitted that to her chagrin, the outfit was all about showing off her incredible physique.

her famous star spangled shorts were essentially pants, in the Superman vein, but cut highter at the front. The red and gold corset with the pointy bra is reminiscent of Madonna's Jean Paul Gaultier corset top - 15 years before he designed it for her Blond Ambition Tour.

Madonna's gold corset designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for her Blond Ambition Tour.

Along with this, Carter is rocking out knee high red  and white heeled suede boots, a gold headpiece with a star and matching armband and a lasso. To a 5 year old girl this was the greatest outfit I had ever seen and I wanted it more than anything in the world. I even tried to make my own headband and arm set out of gold Christmas wrapping wrapping paper and cardboard. In the 80s, cos-play involved lots of wrapping paper and cardboard. We learnt this from Blue Peter.

Basically, Wonder Woman's is a fun costume and absolutely fits the atmosphere of the programme. This was a Wonder Woman who fought Nazis in the 1940s with a smile, whose scenes embraced a level of absurdity and were introduced with comic book style captions appearing on the screen. Lynda Carter also added a lot by making the decision to act as natural as possible while in costume, believing that Wonder Woman would not act overly dramatic or feel self-conscious about the uniform she wore.

8. Grange Hill cast of the '80s.

Series 9 Grange Hill girls.

Ok, hear me out on this one. Who can ever forget the first time they laid eyes on that iconic black and white blazer? Paired with a knee length grey wool skirt for the girls, and black trousers for the boys. Maybe it was the fact that I never had a school uniform myself,  so I was always a bit envious of those who did. In the case of Grange Hill, it wasn't so much that I was inspired by the uniform itself, but how each character made it their own. It was all about the details.The stars of the show each put their own spin on that famed outfit, whether it be by adding fluorescent socks and nail varnish, or a twist on how you wore your tie (fat knot? thin knot? top button of shirt undone?), Grange Hill taught me you could roll up the shirtsleeves of a classic white shirt and accessorize with an armful of Madonna style black wristbands, to give what was once a conservative outfit a rebellious edge.  As for the boys - and speaking of rebellion, who can forget Tucker's black leather biker jacket, that mainstay of rebellious youth? Or, my personal favourite, Helen Kelly's too cool for school, upturned blazer collar 80s gold hoop earrings and soft spiky 80s hairdo? All I know is, thanks to Grange Hill, henceforth began my early training and ongoing obsession with accessorizing...and gold hoop earrings.

9. Kelly Garrett Charlie's Angels

Kelly Garrett in Charlie's Angels.

The Angels are the originators of badass females fighting crime, and looking good while doing it. As the 1970s trio proved, anything can be done in an off-the-shoulder ruffled blouse, flared pants, kitten heels, and a bikini.

Even though 1970s glamour girl style was exemplified by all three of Charlie's Angels on the '70s show, it was Jaclyn Smith's character Kelly Garrett, that had some truly next-level, ass kicking looks.

Grecian gowns, secretary blouses and pencil skirts, gold lame jumpsuits—who didn't (and still doesn't) want to dress like Kelly? Her outfits took her straight from Charlie's office - to fighting crime on the streets of LA - to Studio 54 at night after a hard days busting felons.

10.  Dynasty

Alexis, Blake and Krystal in classic Dynasty.

I dressed as Fallon for my Dynasty themed fancy dress 9th Birthday party. There is photographic evidence I have yet to burn, of me wearing a loose 80s do with a long flicked fringe, terracotta lipstick, a diamante necklace and bracelet (1950's, but who was asking?) and a lime and aarmy green crepe belted slim cut spagghetti strap 80s number. The girl who went as Krystal won the fancy dress competition. It was my party and I may have cried at the injustice, but I can look back and admit the girl dressed as Krystal was a wortthy winner. She had the same blonde hairstyle as Krystal so had an unfair natural advantage.

As for the series itself, Dynasty gave us the '80s 'old money' in all its audacious glory and the clothes to go with it. Think: behemoth shoulder pads, feather boas and big hair with bigger (almost) diamonds. Glorious. Of course 8 year old me was going to base her 9th birthday party around this show.

Shoulder pads. Spangles. Billowing batwing sleeves. The costumes of the original “Dynasty” are more memorable to some people than the plot lines.

Designed primarily by Nolan Miller and influenced by the strong silhouettes of 1940s movie actresses, the clothes, jewels and copious furs worn by Joan Collins, Linda Evans and their ilk — not for nothing was one character named Sable — signaled both the apex of conspicuous consumption in the 20th century and a new era of women asserting themselves in the workplace and beyond.

In real life, customers stormed Bloomingdale’s to buy Mr. Miller’s fashion collection themed to the show, and the “Dynasty” influence is felt on runways even now.