5 Genius Styling Tricks I Learned From Shiv Roy on Succession

I can’t stop thinking about Succession—or chatting with pretty much anyone who will listen to all of the reasons the HBO series has me utterly captivated. Based around the Roy family and their global media conglomerate, Waystar Royco, the show centers on the power struggles that ensue as patriarch Logan Roy decides who will take over the empire once he steps down. There is plenty of drama, and it’s just as easy to be repulsed as it is to be enamored by the morally bankrupt characters. (Fair warning—there are some spoilers ahead.)

In season 2, Shiv Roy, the only daughter of Logan Roy, really comes into focus. Not only is she a serious contender to take over the family empire, but she also arrives with a brand-new look, which is a big departure from the previous season. She debuted one of the most talked-about haircuts to go viral on the internet this year—chopping her long waves to make a strong case for the lob—and her fashion followed suit. Gone were her baggy sweaters and baseball hats. Replacing them was an entirely new wardrobe of sharp suiting and pieces that are all tailored to perfection.

Much of this change goes hand in hand with Shiv’s new attitude about possibly entering the family business. She's no longer trying to escape the shadow of her famous family by joining the world of politics; now, she’s ready to take the helm of the family business and wants to be taken seriously and earn a seat at the table. Her wardrobe really communicates that, and I found it fascinating how she was able to so swiftly align her ambitions with her sartorial choices. Ahead, read about the key styling tricks I learned from Shiv Roy on Succession.

1. There's no excuse to not have a great suit.

If there's one uniform that instantly communicates you mean business, it's a sharply tailored suit. Shiv Roy wears suiting on repeat and truly proves its power.

2. Tonal dressing is simply foolproof.

Whether you're wearing a suit (as Shiv is here) or any other look, sticking with one color family like the grays here is a surefire way to have an outfit read as polished.

3. Backless pieces are the ultimate way to show just the right amount of skin.

Sure, like Shiv, you might be all business, but if you still want to expose some skin, wearing something backless in the form of a sweater or a dress is a great way to do it. 

4. Turtlenecks are the versatile staple to wear on repeat.

During season 2 of Succession, Shiv wore turtlenecks more than practically any other item. Replacing her V-neck silhouettes of the previous season, they are the easy fall staples we can all add into our closets.

5. Find a great tailor to make sure your clothing fits perfectly.

The absolute biggest lesson of Shiv's wardrobe transformation in season 2? Find a really good tailor and make sure that your clothes fit perfectly. This is far and away the most important thing that radically transformed her wardrobe.

Next, read about the eight shoe trends everyone will buy in 2020.