It’s the 21st anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with the first-ever episode premiering on this very date back in 1997, and since it just so happens to be my favorite show of all time (I’m obsessed), I felt the need to pay homage to all the killer — pun intended! — style showcased during the course of its six-year reign.
Behold, some of the Buffy’s best fashion moments, in all their ‘90s glory!
I want to go as Buffy for Superhero day but I don’t own a pair of red leather pants!!!! #wardrobeprobs pic.twitter.com/RXe4L49VtD
— Meryl Kornfield (@MerylKornfield) October 19, 2014
1. Buffy’s Red Leather Pants: Leather was a big part of Buffy’s look: Girl rocked a leather jacket and/or pair of pants like nobody’s business, letting the world know what a totally tough badass she was before she ever even uttered a word (or, in her case, a witty one-liner). This promo shot is how I remember our heroine best.
2. Cordelia’s Wild Skirt: Sunnydale’s own resident Regina George, a.k.a. Cordelia Chase, was preppy cool to the max. She had a serious turtleneck and shoulder shrug fetish, making her appear totally pulled together at all times, but she also offered up a little edge: Check out that leopard print mini!
3. Faith’s edgy footwear: Faith was a bad girl and she dressed the part, through and through. Case in point? The lace-up boots she donned with a signature wife beater and a pair of a cutoff shorts. Ow ow!
4. Joyce’s big night out: Even Buffy’s mom got in on the fashionable action! In an episode where she was magically transformed into her teenage self (“Band Candy”), she wore an eye-catching little feathered number that I most definitely was not mad at: in fact, I’d probably wear it today.
5. Buffy’s slinky nightclub look: With a sparkly cami (a.k.a. the go-to top of the ‘90s) and a matching lavender miniskirt, Buffy was primed and ready to hit The Bronze for a night of slow dancing with Angel.
6. Anya’s floral midi dress: Anya’s sunny frock combined three of the biggest trends of the decade into one garment with its daisy-embellishments (hello, Drew Barrymore!), midi-length, and slip silhouette. It’s like an ad straight out of a dELiA’s catalog!
7. Buffy’s mini skirt + thigh high boots: Buffy, on the other hand, was all about the minidress and calf-to-thigh-high boot combo. Where her skirts went, tall footwear followed, making for a sweet yet sassy look that suited her character’s complex nature to a tee.
8. Willow’s maxi/sneaker style: Let’s face it — Willow wasn’t always known as the biggest fashionista on the show, but after college, she got semi-hip, pairing maxi skirts and sneakers together with verve.
9. Anya’s wedding gown: Buffy even got wedding style right, with demon-turned-human Anyanka Jenkins transforming into a blushing bride to be that would make any groom blush. That mermaid silhouette! The embellishments! I die.
As an added bonus, please delight in this short video clip I made in the show’s honor for Brit + Co last year — told you I was obsessed.
Long live Buffy!
Tell Me: What’s your favorite style moment from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Xo, Nicole
