A whopping 2.4 million viewers tuned in to watch Euphoria’s season 2 premiere. HBO’s riveting no-holds-barred drama (complete with an unreliable narrator and some questionable decision-making) has captivated audiences – from cool-kid Gen-Z’s to wannabees – with its juicy plot and ethereal style.
As glitter devotees and avid fans, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t captivated by the show each Sunday. The cinematography, the lighting, the makeup. Most importantly: the outfits.
Costume designer Heidi Bivens has no qualms about dolling up her sixteen-year-old drug addicts in the latest high fashion. That contrast is assisted by her forays and familiarity with the best of the best in L.A. designer vintage. Lucky for us, many Shein brands embody a similar aesthetic, allowing us to tap into the look and feel of the show’s style. Want to dress like your favorite characters? Look no further.
RUE BENNETT: Messy Androgynous Glory.
We were first struck by Rue’s style in the pilot as it is so different from our own. She’s a tomboy, messy, and lowkey grunge — simple enough that you don’t have to overanalyze it. She’ll wear masculine, boxy clothing and revert to comfy when in doubt. Funky-dyed t-shirts, jeans, and — always — a beat-up pair of black Chucks.
SHOP LIKE RUE
JULES VAUGHN: Consciously Styled Textures.
Jules’s style is perhaps one of our favorites because of its intentionality. Hunter Schafer, the actress who plays her, spoke to Jules’s desire to conquer femininity by conquering men in the first season. By the beginning of the second season, she’s more willing to embrace her interior life instead of seeking external validation. That epiphany ripples throughout her style; as an aspiring fashion student, she chooses interesting layers and artistic statements on the cutting edge that align with her quirky spirit of adventure. She doesn’t wear outfits; she wears looks.
SHOP LIKE JULES:
FEZCO: Colorful Retro-Inspired Streetwear.
Fezco has won many of us over as the drug dealer with a heart of gold. Fezco and Ashtray both entered the family business early, assuming roles as business partners rather than children. As such, viewers have noted that Fezco’s expressive, primary-colored style could be a plea to hold onto bits of childhood that he never got to have — a tender contrast between the Glock in his hand and his M&M patterned pajamas. He opts for a boldly printed polo fit, an almost retro vibe that’s visually pleasing on the screen. Anything with stripes or color blocking? Oh boy.
SHOP LIKE FEZ:
KAT HERNANDEZ: Kinky & Confused?
Kat’s season two evolution means admitting her leather-strap-and-loud-make-up-wearing persona was fake: she can’t go back to her faux confidence. What she wanted originally doesn’t feel good now, and she struggles with that change.
When in doubt, she reverts to her black/leather/hot styles like this vinyl bustier ($11) and body harness ($13), while also trying on a softer “girlfriend” look à la Cassie Howard. Her Season 2 looks are sexy and dark, but more grounded than Season 1: flattering dark jeans and a denim jacket with expressive detailing are safe bets for reassurance.
SHOP LIKE KAT:
CASSIE HOWARD: Naïve Pastels with Sex Appeal.
Make no mistake: this is Cassie’s season. Although she’s the sexy one, she also needs to be able to pretend she’s innocent, to retreat into her girlishness upon confrontation; in Season One, it’s what McKay found frustrating. Baby blue and baby pink soften her, and she’s already so vulnerable.
In Season Two, her style can best be summed up as “plausible deniability.” It’s all revealing pastel dresses and delicate tops (and of course, lacy lingerie for those lucky enough to see it). She’s clinging to the elements of her appearance that stereotypically cast her as a good person (she confesses in the Season Two premiere, “I don’t think I’m a good person”) while regretting her bad choices.
SHOP LIKE CASSIE:
MADDY PEREZ: Powerfully Recognizable.
Maddy’s fierce, confident, and a bit scary. She’s the one defining the looks, while the other girls try to copy her in the hopes that her strength will rub off on them. That I.Am.Gia set ($28) from last season made the rounds! In high school terms, she’d be the one to get dress coded. She wears cropped sweater sets and skin-tight jumpsuits, and even her basics have cutouts (like in this bodysuit).
Maddy also significantly believes in style as reflective of money and status. She’ll use it to get what she wants from affluent men, and she sees it as a symbol of how far she’s come from her background. She’s likely to use flashy designers and labels when possible — or at least try them on while babysitting.
SHOP LIKE MADDY:
LEXI HOWARD: Our Cottage core Queen.
Cassie and Lexi share similar styles in that they’re both understated. For Lexi, this translates more into a warm, nostalgic look that’s friendly and a little old-fashioned. Think cottagecore meets theater kid.
Lexi wears braided crowns, plaid pants, and orange puffy sleeve blouses, and we love her for it. Think structured tops with ruffles — polished. She won’t command the room, but you’ll appreciate the detail once you notice it. She vibes with the brands in our latest loafer roundup too.
SHOP LIKE LEXI:
NATE JACOBS: The All-American Boy Next Door.
Let’s get fratty. Nate cares deeply about appearances and concealing his major psychological issues. He’s the star quarterback, the golden son, and he must dress to emphasize those attributes. He has money but won’t use it to be showy; he’ll retreat to reliable, recognizable brands and sharp silhouettes that make him look and feel in control.
When in doubt, he’ll opt for classic and sporty, even more so than anybody on this list. Give nobody any reason to look closer. His basics will be high quality and usually expensive but will be versatile and lasting.
SHOP LIKE NATE:
Take a seat (and maybe a shot) and settle in and head over to HBOMAX to watch Euphoria — and a crash course in L.A. vintage. The kids might make bad decisions, but they sure make great outfits.
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