From Barbie to Succession—See the Most Talked-About On-Screen Fashion Moments

While the standards for a good TV show or movie primarily depend on things like an enticing plot and on-screen chemistry, the costume design carries more importance than an average viewer might think. Each character's clothing communicates the essence of their personality to the audience and often hints at hidden meanings. Whether it was the designers' intent or not, even detailed choices in costume can lead to a larger conversation and discussions surrounding the plot. Greta Gerwig's Barbie started an entire aesthetic and world of pink collaborations even before the film was out in theaters. A simple white T-shirt worn by Jeremy Allen White in The Bear started an online frenzy. (It's from Merz b. Schwanen, and it's $95.) When Succession delivered the "ludicrously capacious bag" line, a plethora of handbag-related memes were quickly made.

Costume choices also have an impact on how characters' legacies are carried on to future audiences. There's a reason fashion folks are still making wardrobe references to Rachel Green and Dionne Davenport. There's more to great entertainment than A+ actors and an intriguing script. Keep scrolling to see the best on-screen fashion moments of the year, from the quiet-luxury pieces worn by the Roy siblings to the decadent Regency looks in Queen Charlotte. End scene.

Barbie

The spectacular fashion from Barbie didn't just cause a frenzy on-screen. It became a normal occurrence to walk into the theaters this past summer and see a wave of moviegoers all dressed in pink. My fellow editors and I were always on the lookout for which Barbie Margot Robbie's outfit would reference next and couldn't help but zero in on all the vintage Chanel in the film.

Succession

You might have heard the term "quiet luxury" this year more than you can count, and while a lot of the conversation came from the minimalistic direction of the latest runway collections, many people were also deriving their opinions from the wardrobes of the Roy siblings. 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story 

Another year, another bingeworthy season of Bridgerton! While the other seasons were primarily set in the Regency era, viewers this season got a look into the Georgian period. Wide hoop skirts, ruffled embellishments, and voluminous gowns were some of the highlights. 

The Crown

When Princess Diana and Kate Middleton are involved, people are going to be paying attention. This season of the Netflix series shed more light on the latter, showcasing the now Princess of Wales's style when she first met Prince William. 

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

It's been years since The Hunger Games trilogy was released, but the buzz over the world that Suzanne Collins created is still going strong. One couldn't help but be enamored by the extravagant Capitol fashion (Hunter Schafer's character, Tigris, was a fan favorite) and the multicolored dress Lucy Gray, played by Rachel Zegler, wore for a large duration of the film. Each intricate costume was able to perfectly portray the backstory of the character. 

The Bear

Who knew a family-owned restaurant in Chicago would draw so much attention for its staff uniforms? GQ even went ahead to call it a menswear show. Everyone was quick to start discussing Carmy's vintage denim collection, the Thom Browne chef jackets, and Sydney's now sold-out Madewell and Paloma Wool jackets.