- A new study has revealed the most fashionable fictional characters in TV and film, with Mean Girls’ Regina George taking the top spot.
- Rachel Green was identified as the second most fashionable fictional character, with Carrie Bradshaw following in third.
- The research examined Google searches for terms relating to the style of onscreen fictional characters.
Film and TV have influenced fashion for as long as the media have existed, and many people take inspiration from their favorite movies and shows when putting together outfits or developing their personal style.
This prompted online fashion retailer boohoo.com to investigate which fictional characters Americans emulate most in their fashion choices, determining the most stylish characters in TV and film.
The research analyzed Google searches in the US for terms related to the style of onscreen fictional characters, such as “Cher Horowitz wardrobe,” “Monica Geller outfits,” and “Mia Wallace style guide,” to determine the ranking.
The top 10 most fashionable fictional characters
|
Rank |
Character |
Average monthly search volume nationwide |
|
1. |
Regina George |
25,416 |
|
2. |
Rachel Green |
12,493 |
|
3. |
Carrie Bradshaw |
11,817 |
|
4. |
Blair Waldorf |
10,983 |
|
5. |
Elena Gilbert |
9,567 |
|
6. |
Fran Fine |
9,433 |
|
7. |
Bella Swan |
8,826 |
|
8. |
Elle Woods |
7,710 |
|
9. |
Hilary Banks |
6,996 |
|
10. |
Lorelai Gilmore |
6,338 |
Mean Girls antagonist Regina George was revealed as the most fashionable fictional character, with an average of 25,416 Google searches per month. The leader of high school clique “The Plastics” was originally portrayed by Canadian actress Rachel McAdams in the original 2004 film, with Reneé Rapp playing the character in the 2024 musical adaptation.
Regina George is known for her long blonde hair and Y2K-infused wardrobe. Her outfits typically consist of miniskirts, high heels, and cute tops, primarily in black, red, and pink hues, not to mention her iconic silver ‘R’ initial necklace, which accompanied many of her outfits.
In second place was Friends fashionista Rachel Green, generating an average of 12,493 monthly searches. Actress Jennifer Aniston portrayed the beloved sitcom character from 1994 to 2004.
Often considered one of the most stylish characters in TV history, Rachel eventually worked as a fashion buyer at Ralph Lauren, and wore many chic yet easily replicable looks throughout the show. However, she is perhaps best known for her signature haircut, dubbed “The Rachel,” which she wears in the show’s early seasons.
Following in third was Carrie Bradshaw from the ‘90s sitcom Sex and the City, averaging 11,817 searches per month. Sarah Jessica Parker shot to global fame after starring in the role, which she reprised in two spin-off films, as well as the recent series revival, And Just Like That….
A writer living in New York City, Carrie made her mark on the fashion world by fusing high-end and vintage pieces to create a distinct look. It may be hard to truly capture her eclectic taste, but that hasn’t stopped people from trying to embody her carefree style with their own fashion choices.
Blair Waldorf ranked fourth, with 10,983 monthly Google searches on average. The Upper East Side Queen Bee was portrayed by Leighton Meester during all six seasons of teen drama Gossip Girl, from 2007 to 2012.
Blair Waldorf’s style reflects her immense wealth and typically features preppy, feminine, and tailored pieces, somewhat evocative of a private school uniform. While the price tag of her outfits would be unattainable for most people, many of her looks are classic and not dependent on trends, giving them a timeless appeal.
Rounding out the top five was The Vampire Diaries protagonist Elena Gilbert, who averaged a monthly search count of 9,567. She was portrayed by Nina Dobrev during the first six seasons of the show. She later returned for a final appearance in the series finale during season eight.
Unlike many of the other entries on the list, Elena’s style is typical of a teenage girl in high school. She wears garments such as leather jackets, spaghetti-strap tank tops, layered or henley shirts, and bootcut jeans, which provide a down-to-earth contrast to the supernatural events occurring around her.
In sixth was Fran Drescher’s role of Fran Fine in ‘90s sitcom The Nanny with 9,433 average monthly searches. The star became instantly recognizable for her brunette bouffant hairstyle and her signature outfits, which consist of miniskirts, mini dresses, turtlenecks, and tweed jackets or blazers. She often mixes classic black layers with bright colors and prints.
Ranking seventh was Bella Swan, averaging 8,826 Google searches per month. Similar to Elena Gilbert, Kristen Stewart’s character in the Twilight franchise emulates late 2000s girl-next-door fashion, with skinny and bootcut jeans, sneakers, and casual jackets making frequent occurrences in her wardrobe.
Reese Witherspoon’s character, Elle Woods, followed in eighth, with an average of 7,710 Google searches per month. The bubbly and high-achieving law student at the heart of Legally Blonde almost exclusively wears pink and loves pairing her outfits with hats, sunglasses, bags, and other maximalist accessories.
Placing ninth was Hilary Banks, averaging 6,996 monthly searches. Portrayed by Karyn Parsons in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the beloved character regularly wears flamboyant two-piece suits and tailoring alongside dramatic hats. She became known for her colorful and exaggerated silhouettes.
Completing the top ten was Lorelai Gilmore, generating an average of 6,338 searches per month. Lauren Graham starred as one half of the popular Gilmore Girls duo and her wardrobe includes popular trends from the early 2000s: graphic tees, rhinestones, and denim jackets.
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for boohoo.com said,
“It’s interesting to note certain patterns in the ranking, which detail the most popular trends that people are most interested in recreating. All of these characters are from sitcoms, teen dramas, or young adult media from the 1990s and 2000s, suggesting that people hope to invoke nostalgia for these eras with their outfits.
“Many women would’ve grown up watching these films and TV shows, with all the characters in the top 10 debuting before 2009 onscreen. This just goes to show how much of these characters’ legacy is wrapped up in their style, with their outfits standing the test of time and being more covetable for audiences than the style of characters currently on TV or in film.
“All of these characters have a style that’s easy to recreate, regardless of your budget. Many of them embrace vintage or second-hand finds in their wardrobe, so this could be a great place to start, particularly if you’re seeking authentic garments that would’ve existed 20 or 30 years ago.
“When trying to emulate a style, it’s a good idea to identify specific elements that you like and go from there. Recreating exact outfits can be impractical, expensive, or too far removed from your own tastes, so when in doubt, take inspiration from the parts of their aesthetic that you’re drawn to and incorporate them into your pre-existing wardrobe.”
