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Last Updated on January 6, 2022
After binge-watching 10 seasons of Friends, I singled out the best outfits each character wore throughout the whole show and the essence behind each of their styles.
I also reveal the best dressed and who barely made it in, fashion-wise…
Curious?
Read on to find more and get all the titbits on how to recreate each look!
Contents
Rachel Green
Played by Jennifer Aniston, fashion was a defining factor in Rachel’s character. She started her life in the city with just one item of clothing, her wedding dress, and despite her rained-on look, weird tiara, and huge veil…One cannot argue that she looked beautiful.
The truth is, Rachel’s fashion style was so good from the get-go, that her looks would help to define an era. We all tried one, or more, of her hairstyles and got serious 90s babe inspiration from her outfits. They were totally down to earth, wearable, filled with style to the brim, and she made it look so effortless. It was impossible not to be hooked!
Tartan Goddess
Outfit pointers
- Mock high neck cropped sweater
- Basic top in neutral colors
- Classic tartan wrap mini-skirt
- Winter/Christmassy colors
- Definitely over-the-knee boot-worthy outfit, but could be worn with a pair of red Converse high tops too!
Getting the look
Talk about being chic while keeping it simple and put together! This is undoubtedly one of my favorite Rachel outfits and not just because I am a huge tartan fan. The truth is, I tend to find high necks stifling in general, so I am loving that rolled mock high neck in particular.
Also, by keeping it neutral and going for a basic off-white color on top, the mini-skirt makes for a great focal point, such as this tartan skirt on Amazon.
You can get a lot of mileage from an outfit like this because the skirt allows for a myriad of possible combinations with other basics from your wardrobe. Some options to tailor the look to your own body and style are to swap the wrap mini-skirt for a tennis skirt or an A-style skirt with a little movement if you are curvier.
Read: The Clash of All-Stars: Converse High Tops vs Low Tops
French Style
Outfit pointers
- Black short sleeve sweater
- Short sleeve white shirt
- Bootcut jeans
- Dark indigo denim
- I would totally go for classic black boots with a medium heel
Getting the look
This look is made up of three very classic items: a black sweater, a white shirt, and a pair of jeans. Even though all three items make for great capsule wardrobe investments, the detail that really makes this look pop is the rolled-up cuff sleeves.
It is both understated and polished, basic and elegant. You can check out my favorite bootcut jeans selection for a shopping guide of bootcut jeans for some inspiration. There is a very similar pair of dark indigo jeans!
Read: Step Aside Skinny Jeans: These are the Best Bootcut Jeans for all Body Types
Lucky St. Patricks
Outfit pointers
- Graphic t-shirt
- Half cap short sleeves
- Original green plaid
- Flared tight pants
- I would totally pair this look with Doc Martens boots
Getting the look
You might be thinking this is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day outfit…And you wouldn’t be wrong! But green is such a lovely color, it deserves more than just one day a year, don’t you think? Plus, I just love the combination of prints that makes this look almost a matching set.
Plaid flared pants are all the rage right now, so get inspired with Rachel and go for really bold and daring tartans. The key to making it look balanced is to create a combo that has the same color palette. To achieve it, make the primary color different in each of the pieces.
Chandler Bing
Some might argue that Chandler didn’t have a great sense of style, and it’s true he often missed the mark. That said, he had a vest collection to die for and after a little seasoning, he could rock a suit like no other. I really dug his cosmopolitan polished look!
He also had a fair few outdated Hawaiian shirts, so, yes, his wardrobe wasn’t going to win any contests for sure. Still, I found his sense of style endearing in a geeky kind of way, particularly so when he wore ugly sweaters!
Mr. Vest
Outfit pointers
- Knitted vest
- Denim chambray shirt
- Khaki straight pants
- Suede mountaineer boots (I would go with a pair of Rockford’s)
Getting the look
Remember that episode when Chandler was teaching Joey how to smoke the cool way for an audition? He was wearing a vest that appeared during the intro and would, later on, be revisited once and again throughout the seasons.
That is the marvel of vests, they never go out of style and can be worn in many different ways without losing their charm. They also add a retro-cool element and layers to any ensemble.
This is why an Aran vest (the kind that has all those interesting knots and cables and can be worn by both girls and boys) is a great option if you are thinking of investing in a vest that will last the ages. A little extra texture never hurts, plus there are some great models with buttons that are like a cross made in heaven between a vest and a cardigan!
To get Chandler’s look, pair your favorite straight khaki pants with beige or brown suede boots and a light denim shirt. And if you want to stay within the set palette, pick a navy vest to complete the outfit.
Read:
Men’s Style Guide: What to Wear with Timberlands
90s Men’s Sweaters: Back to Winter Past
Awesome Men’s Shoes Trends from the 90’s
Phoebe Buffay
I know that I could never pull off Phoebe’s style! I love a prairie dress and a little embroidery, but her crazy combinations are simply not for me. However, I love how she made it all look so easy to put together, and so very her!
Phoebe’s clothing reflected her unique personality and how she didn’t define herself on any one style, picking and matching whatever she liked best. She was the ultimate indie girl, going with the flow and personalizing her clothes to fit her mood. Maybe this is why Phoebe’s wardrobe always had the funkiest and most diverse pieces of the whole gang!
Prairie Girl
Outfit pointers
- Embroidered, fringed, and lacey vest
- Basic white t-shirt
- Maxi lacey cream-colored skirt
- Knowing phoebe, embroidered cowboy boots!
Getting the look
With a little bohemian flair and a dash of cowboy vibes, this outfit is one of my favorite more down-to-earth Phoebe ensembles. Combining lace, fringes, and embroidery in one piece of clothing is quite daring and not at all easy. However, Phoebe’s vest is the crowning piece of clothing that glues this look together.
The warm tones of the brown vest soften the harsh white of the classic t-shirt underneath, helping it blend with the cream lace maxi skirt. Overall, the look feels light, fun, and cozy.
If you have your eyes set on a look like this, you would do well to start visiting thrift and secondhand stores. The closest readily available design I could come up with was a fringed crochet vest!
Read: Modern Hipster Trends Borrowed from the Styles of the 90s
A Pop of Color
Outfit pointers
- Furry orange coat with wide lapels
- Knitted brown wrap dress
- Maxi accessories
- Long over-the-knee boots and tall heels…And maybe something with orange laces to match!
Getting the look
Phoebe was not afraid of a little pop of color! This furry orange coat is proof of that. With its retro wide lapels, it’s doubtful you’ll find an exact copy to match it if you are trying to recreate this outstanding outfit.
However, furry jackets are on trend right now so there are a lot of options to choose from, like pink furry jackets and shaggy orange tops. And if you are trying to complete the look, a brown knit wrap dress will match with the orange coat and a colorful necklace.
Read: Nineties Jewelry Trends: A Complete List of Items by Style
Joey Tribbiani
There is no doubt that Joey dressed to impress the ladies. Right from the start, he rocked an awesome black leather jacket and high neck sweaters that looked positively handsome. He was also the king of the “v” neck sweater with no shirt underneath, and I must say it was the staple of an era.
Joey also had an odd mix of goofy outfits he was not afraid to wear (which I loved!), but he always cleaned up real good for his dates.
European Charm
Outfit pointers
- Black turtleneck
- Retro glasses
- Grey wool oversized coat
- Dressy straight pants
- Classic leather loafers, for sure!
Getting the look
This is one of my favorite looks from Joey because he looks very Italian with that black high neck sweater that screams European debonair paired with that dark grey coat. Chandler looks great as well, with one of his knit long scarves!
Although the ensemble itself is very classic and simple, It’s a marvellous example of how minimal and streamlined pieces make for the most elegant clothing. There are no details to distract from the construction or the fit, so the high quality of the craftsmanship shines through.
Monica Geller
Throughout the series, Monica wore a lot of business casual outfits that encompassed great shirts, bodycon dresses, trousers with suspenders, straight jeans, and a bunch of flared skirts in flowery prints.
Her style was more serious than the other girls and in general, she used a lot of “working” apt pieces. I loved how she could also totally rock a pair of dungarees with a strappy tee or a skin-tight dashing red lycra dress.
If I had to say which Friend character am I according to my fashion style, I would say I am in between a Monica and a Rachel. I love a good white shirt with straight jeans, but I am a total goner for plaid skirts, so it makes for a fun mix-up!
Read: Overalls & Dungarees from the 90s – Remember Those?
Cardigan Game
Outfit pointers
- Long cardigan
- Same color outfit
- Low rise light denim straight jeans
- Footwear… Hmm… Vans, loafers, or flats! So many options!
Getting the look
This is my absolute favorite way to wear a cardigan. Mainly because it is a classic item with a very easy-to-pull twist: you just have to leave the first and last buttons open so it feels fresh and new. This cardigan from Amazon is ideal. It works great with low-rise jeans that show the belly button.
I know that this look won’t win any prizes anywhere but I fell for it because it was so easy to pull and it showed me how you can renew classic staples with a little creative thinking.
Read:
Closet Essentials: Versatile Ways to Wear a Black Skirt
7 Best Mom Jeans we Absolutely Adore (With Styling Tips)
Vans Authentic vs Vans Era: An Epic Rivalry
Parisian Flair
Outfit pointers
- French beret cap
- Extra-long scarf
- Leather oversize unisex jacket
- Flowery maxi skirt
- Tall leather black boots or Doc Martens for a badass look!
Getting the look
Don’t for one minute think Monica was basic. She wasn’t! This brown leather jacket and beret ensemble is another of my all-time favorite looks of her. The unisex bulky jacket makes her dainty gauzy floral flared skirt that much more interesting.
I couldn’t for the life of me find a photo that showed it, but after having watched the complete series a couple of times, believe me, it was a look that stuck with me!
Ross Geller
Oh, Ross…He almost didn’t make this list! I have to admit that his style was very basic and sometimes even ugly throughout the series. His looks were pretty boring and downright forgettable but it felt horrible to include everybody and leave him out.
He had a couple of fun moments, after all. Like that time when he decided to wear black leather pants, which was super fun. Also, is it me or does he look a bit like John Travolta in that picture?
City Dweller
Outfit pointers
- Classic black leather jacket
- Flannel plaid shirt
- Straight light denim colored jeans
- A classic Rachel to match!
Getting the look
This outfit could very well be an ad from the Gap. It is the de facto city uniform for cool boys, but he wears it well. I can totally picture other actors that wore the exact same thing when doing an appearance on Friends, like Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis.
To achieve it pair up light denim straight jeans with a flannel shirt and a black leather jacket. There is no trick to it, except I’d recommend going for high-quality brands, like Levis, Wrangler, or the such because the high quality items will shine through.
Read: Undeniable Proof that Men’s 90s Jeans are Here to Stay
