Americans Can’t Stop Copying These Fictional Characters’ Wardrobes, According to a New Study
Wardrobes, it turns out, owe as much to TV and movie icons as to fashion magazines.
A new study by Super Label Store analyzed more than 6,100 Google search terms tied to over 230 fictional characters to find out who Americans turn to most for fashion inspiration. The rankings are based on average monthly search volume from the past year, showing which styles still influence how we dress today.
As Noor de Swart, CEO of Super Label Store, put it: “These results show how fictional characters continue to shape fashion trends and personal style years after their introduction. The mix of ’90s and early 2000s icons reflects the resurgence of Y2K fashion today.”
Let’s count down from #10 to see which characters are still ruling wardrobes years (and sometimes decades) later.
10. Sharpay Evans — High School Musical (4,908 searches)
Disney Channel pink is alive and well. Ashley Tisdale’s Sharpay Evans may have strutted across the stage in the early 2000s, but her bold, girly style still inspires fans who grew up on Wildcats and choreography.
9. Elle Woods — Legally Blonde (6,739 searches)
Reese Witherspoon’s Elle Woods proved that pink, polished, and professional can all coexist. More than two decades later, her unapologetically feminine wardrobe continues to influence everything from office style to courtroom Halloween costumes.
8. Hilary Banks — The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (6,828 searches)
Hilary’s ’90s luxury looks featuring bold patterns, hats, and plenty of glam still resonate. Karyn Parsons’ character embodied a mix of sophistication and fun that fashion lovers are rediscovering through nostalgia. Hilary made being “extra” look effortless before we even had the word for it.
7. James Bond — James Bond Franchise (7,507 searches)
The only man in the top ten, Bond remains the blueprint for sleek tuxedos and timeless suits. Across decades and multiple actors, the British spy proves that sophistication never goes out of style.
6. Kim Possible — Kim Possible (7,679 searches)
Yes, even cartoons make the cut! Kim’s black crop top and cargo pants combo blends practicality with attitude. For millennials who grew up with her saving the world, the look is as iconic as her ringtone. She basically convinced an entire generation that utility belts were chic.
5. Fran Fine — The Nanny (10,131 searches)
Fran Drescher’s vibrant miniskirts, matching sets, and bold prints feel right at home in today’s fashion cycle. Her fearless ’90s style is having a full-on resurgence as younger fans discover the show.
4. Blair Waldorf — Gossip Girl (10,357 searches)
Headbands, plaid skirts, and preppy designer fits…Leighton Meester’s Blair set the standard for Upper East Side chic. More than a decade after the original series ended, her polished, queen-bee style still makes waves. If you ever wore a headband in the 2000s, chances are Blair was the reason why (guilty!).
3. Rachel Green — Friends (12,012 searches)
Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green might’ve started as a Central Perk waitress, but her style evolution (and that haircut!) turned her into one of the most enduring fashion icons of the ’90s.
2. Carrie Bradshaw — Sex and the City (13,874 searches)
From Manolo Blahnik heels to that tutu in the opening credits, Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw is a symbol of fearless self-expression. Decades later, her mix of designer and eclectic looks is still studied…and shopped.
1. Regina George — Mean Girls (22,148 searches)
Her hair isn’t the only thing that’s big. Rachel McAdams’ Regina George takes the crown with more than 22,000 monthly searches, nearly 60% higher than second place. From slogan tees to that cutout tank moment, her influence is still so fetch.
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If you love seeing how fashion and pop culture intertwine, there’s plenty more where this came from. From the biggest celebrity weddings of the last 20 years (and why Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce could top them) to movies that take you straight back to the ’90s, it’s clear nostalgia is still driving trends. And if you’re curious which stars are shaping beauty shelves right now, don’t miss the most popular celebrity beauty brands in America.
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