Costume design is this really interesting area where fashion and entertainment meet. Series like Gossip Girl [1] and The Handmaid's Tale [2], and films like Clueless [3] and The Devil Wears Prada [4], have had a major impact on how we dress.
We'd love to credit Blair Waldorf for the recent revival of headbands. And if it weren't for Miranda Priestly, would we ever know the difference between turquoise and cerulean blue? Fashion's dynamic relationship with pop culture is undeniable. For the past couple years, we've experienced a very nostalgic '90s style renaissance. Even icons of the era, like Keanu Reeves [5] and Celine Dion, are getting in on the action. So, we decided to try out Rachel Green's great style from one of the decade's most defining series, Friends [6].
Debra McGuire was the costume designer for all 10 seasons of the decade-defining show. It was McGuire's first styling job for television, and she's said in a recent interview [7] with The Guardian that despite the "pressure to make the characters' clothes very casual," she "thought we needed aspirational clothing to make people want to know more about their lives."
Throughout Friends' 10-year run, Rachel Green's autumn and winter style was all about checked miniskirts and fitted jumpers, lacy '90s layering, slip dresses, and denim dungarees in a palette of blue, green, and red. She usually paired her looks with black boots or white trainers and her iconic choppy layered bob.
Ahead, we found four of her most iconic outfits, re-created them using some of our favourite brands, and learnt a few things about great '90s style.
Rachel Green: Look 1
Rachel Green wears a lime green high-neck jumper and black tartan skirt.
Rachel Green: Day 1
This was definitely the most '90s of all the looks. At least two people complimented my "Clueless" outfit. So the fact that people could identify the era meant that this one, in particular, successfully channeled the '90s. Rachel Green has definitely sold me on wearing this fitted jumper + miniskirt + go-go boot combo more often!
Green Jumper: H&M Short Cardigan [8] (£15)
Black Skirt: Hollister Ultra High-Rise Mini Skirt [9] (£15, originally £35)
Black Boots: Alohas East Black [10] (£256)
Gold Hoops: Dinny Hall Signature Small Hoop Earrings [11] (£165)
Rachel Green: Look 2
Rachel Green wears a black fitted jumper with a grey miniskirt and black knee-high boots.
Rachel Green: Day 2
Finding a low-waist skirt in 2021 isn't easy. Waistlines have seen a huge shift since Rachel Green was rocking hip-grazing miniskirts in the '90s. In the 2010's, we preferred the high-waist silhouette, which first came into fashion when Christian Dior debuted his "New Look" in the 1950's.
While our first Rachel Green-inspired look doesn't scream the '90s, it's superwearable and effortlessly stylish. I wore it to work and felt way more polished than usual, and it made a nice transition into the evening for dinner and drinks in Soho. I felt, how do you say, chic. Haha.
Black Jumper: ASOS DESIGN Jumper with Sweetheart Neckline [12] (£28)
Grey Skirt: Weekday Check Short Pleated Skirt [13] (£30)
Black Boots: Alohas East Black [14] (£256)
Gold Hoops: Bonvo Lune Earrings [15] (£160)
Rachel Green: Look 3
Rachel Green wears a red jumper with a camel skirt, leopard print coat, gold hoops, and a black lady bag.
Rachel Green: Day 3
I stepped off the tube feeling like a boss in this leopard print coat. I don't usually wear fur, or animal print, so wearing both in one look make me feel as bold and fabulous as Rachel Green. The look has inspired me to wear more print and colour.
Red Jumper: UO Josie Ribbed Red V-Neck Vest [16] (£18)
Leopard Print Coat: Ganni Single-breasted Oversized Linen-Blend Coat [17] (£275)
Camel Skirt: Lovers + Friends Cameron Skirt [18] (£86)
Black Bag: Coach Pillow Tabby Shoulder Bag 18 [19] (£395)
Black Boots: Miista Edrea Black Stretch Ankle Boots/ [20] (£270)
Gold Hoops: Dinny Hall Signature Small Hoop Earrings [21] (£165)
Rachel Green: Look 4
Rachel Green wears a white oxford shirt and black waistcoat.
Rachel Green: Day 4
Rachel Green working at Ralph Lauren is such a mood, and black trousers with a crisp white button-up shirt is a smart, timeless look. Rachel wore a lot of waistcoats on Friends, and it's funny to think that was ever a thing. But, with popular period dramas like Peaky Blinders and The Crown, waistcoats and vests might just make a comeback.
White Shirt: H&M Cotton Poplin Shirt [22] (£12.99)
Black Tank: Monki Ribbed Knit Vest [23] (£25)
Black Trousers: Uniqlo U Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Trousers [24] (£15, originally £35)
Black Pumps: Aeyde Debs [25] (£245)
Gold Hoops: Dinny Hall Signature Small Hoop Earrings [26] (£165)