An Ode to Chandler: Friends’ Iconic 90s Fashion
Friends, the go-to show that we all love, did more than make us feel good on a rainy day. The sitcom aired in 1994, delivering staple 90s looks with every episode. Are you most like Chandler in the way that you dress? Or maybe you're Rachel? Whoever you identify most with, or admire most, the Friends cast each delivered in their own ways.
Chandler
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Sarcasm. Awkwardness. Lack of success with women. Whilst his style may not be the first thing to come to mind, Chandler’s fashion sense is underrated and deserves mention. Personally, I believe his style was at its peak in season 1.
Chandler is the king of sweater vests. Usually paired with a white crewneck t-shirt or a denim shirt, his daily outfits are casual chic with a hint of 1940s dad. His pretty boy hairstyle adds to the timeless look and prompts an American Hugh Grant (am I the only one who sees it?).
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He dresses casually most days but shows off his dapper side on workdays – perfect for someone who does something that has to do with numbers. Chandler knows how to rock color-coordinated sets and loves a waistcoat and long coat combo.
As the seasons go on, Chandler dives into 1990s fashion and explores different trends. Occasionally, he brought out a motif shirt which, along with his goatee trim, gave him a scruffier look. Personally, I am not a fan of this vibe and much prefer when he pairs a turtleneck with high-waist smart trousers.
Rachel
Rachel Green. The woman who pops into my head when I think of the classy 90s. After all, Rachel did work at Bloomingdale’s as an assistant buyer and at Ralph Lauren as the coordinator of the women’s collection. She was the fashionista of the gang long before she worked in the fashion industry though. She rocked her waitress apron with cute outfits from the beginning of the show.
Cropped turtlenecks. Plaid skirts. Black tights. Chunky loafers. Rachel dresses elegantly for the fall without fail.
Slip dresses. Baby tees. Denim jackets. Overalls. Spring-summer Rachel is definitely my favorite. From the moment she appeared on screen with a fitted t-shirt and a crisp pair of Levi’s jeans, her character dove into 1990s casual chic – which we are all still wearing today by the way.
As much as we love her sense of style, Rachel is especially known for her hairstyles throughout the seasons of Friends. Indeed, she can be considered the blueprint for the iconic hairstyles that populated the decade of the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. During the show, Jennifer Aniston pulled off the staple layered hairstyle, a short bob, as well as long luscious straight hair.
Last but not least, Rachel’s workwear is worth talking about. She does not take working in the fashion world lightly and dresses to impress in the office. Her work attire varies depending on her mood, as well as what is going on in her personal life. She alternates between the sexy professional look (clean-cut white shirt, black miniskirt with tights, tweed blazer), the businesswoman look (masculine, monochrome suit), and stylishly colorful outfits (green cardigan, long tartan skirt, heels). Work Rachel is a great source of inspiration for interview attire or the occasional class presentation.
Fun fact: 25 years after the launch of Friends, Ralph Lauren designed a collection inspired by Rachel Green’s fashion style.
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Joey
Does Joey Tribbiani need an introduction? The playboy of the friend group (and American sitcoms), Joey encompasses humor, a good appetite, and cool looks.
Joey dresses to live up to his reputation of being the hot friend of the gang. A black leather jacket, a white V-neck t-shirt, and black jeans with utility boots are crucial for his Italian New Yorker stud look. In fact, all women fall for his charm – even Monica when he moves in with Chandler in season 1.
Throughout the seasons of Friends, Joey sustains a laid-back style. Albeit simple, his sense of fashion follows the less is more trend and remains practical. Blue jeans, warm turtlenecks and cozy knit sweaters, casual shirts. He supplements his sharp look with slicked-back hair, 90s style.
Although he usually wears tight-fitting tops with a jacket or shirt, Joey enjoys an oversized moment from time to time. For the true Friends fans, there’s no need to specify that he adores ice hockey and baseball. Indeed, he shows off his New York Rangers jersey and Knicks merch in several episodes.
Funny scene: As a harmless prank towards his roommate and best friend, jokester Joey wears as many of Chandler’s clothes as he possibly can. Could he BE wearing any more clothes?!
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Monica
She’s the mom of the group. She cooks, she cleans, she’ll chat your ear off. Monica Geller is the true 90s muse thanks to her love for boyish clothing pieces.
Mom jeans. Boxy sweaters. White sneakers. Flannel shirts. Monica nails the tomboy look over and over again. Combining practicality and comfort with an elegant touch, she is dressed for any occasion. Need her to clean your apartment, bake a dozen cookies, or take you to the hospital? You can always give her a call.
Other days, Monica’s fashion style radiates femininity with an edge. Whether she’s wearing a crisp white shirt (the one we’re all desperately looking for but cannot seem to get our hands on) with high-waist jeans and black loafers, a dainty flowery dress with her Reeboks, or flashy knee-high boots (which really really really hurt), Monica delivers timeless outfits.
Similarly to Rachel, Monica goes through a couple hairstyles throughout the 10 seasons of Friends. In season 1, she rocks a classic 90s hairstyle – which one may argue had too many layers, but can you ever have too many? When Phoebe messes up her at home haircut, Monica finds herself having to pull-off a rugged pixie cut, which eventually grows into a bob, which eventually grows beautifully long.
Sporty Spice is that you?
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To finish off, a special mention of Monica’s sophisticatedly cool waistcoat moments. The character’s feminine and masculine traits unite to create a sleek androgynous look, my personal favorite.
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Phoebe
The hippy of the group. Not only does Phoebe Buffay wow the audience with her acoustic guitar skills and her terrible, yet entertaining, self-written songs, she also carries the show with her radiant energy and boho chic style. Most importantly, she never leaves the house without her guitar.
Eccentric. Accessories. Fun. Phoebe’s fashion style is the most outgoing and extravagant to say the least. Throughout the seasons, she delivers unique looks supplemented by many funky accessories. Her jewelry never deceives. It comes in the form of necklaces, earrings, rings, toe rings, and more. She wears headscarves and bangles to stand out and looks fabulous in doing so.
Phoebe’s style is the most relevant in the current state of the fashion and environmental worlds. For those of you who have watched Friends, you’ll know that she is a vegetarian and strongly promotes cruelty-free fashion. Phoebe shops at flea markets in New York, purchases vintage pieces, and is always wearing faux-fur and faux-leather. And she looks fabulous doing it. She wore a mink fur coat that she inherited from her mother in one episode, and felt pretty guilty about it. But if you think about it, she upcycled a vintage piece, so not too bad after all.
The city palette meets bohemian chic. Floor-sweeping maxi skirts, flowy blouses, fringed vests, purple vinyl jackets, corduroy and more. Phoebe finds a way to harmonize contrasting styles into a New York boho chic vibe.
Phoebe is not one to shy away from colors, patterns, and florals. Throughout the numerous gatherings at Monica’s apartment or the Coffee Shop, she catches the viewer’s eye with her artsy hippy appearances.
Ross
Dinosaurs and divorces. Clothing and fashion are not on Ross Geller’s list of top priorities and passions in life. Although he may not have been the most fashionable member of the Friends gang, he certainly had a few style icon moments throughout the show.
Most days, Ross is dressed for work (paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History and tenured professor of paleontology at NYU). Ties. Blazers. Long coats. Lots of brown and grey and navy blue. Ross’s professional style is sartorially elegant, with a hint of academia.
Ross knows how to deliver casual New Yorker vibes. When he is not working at the museum or the university, he rocks a dad off-duty fashion style, where comfort is the priority. He often layers shirts with crewnecks underneath, paired with the classic Levi’s jeans. His most common day-off outfit includes cozy turtlenecks or sweaters – classic 1990s.
Ross LOVES his red sweater. In the show, he famously forgets it at Rachel’s place, revealing to the rest of the Friends group that they spent the night together. This sweater, along with many others that he wears, reflect his casual chic side. Perfect for a cold day in New York.
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Frankie Says Relax. This t-shirt has sentimental value to both Ross and Rachel: he gave it to her when they were dating, and it became her favorite t-shirt. In the scene, he takes it back and puts it on to spite Rachel. It clearly does not fit him anymore…
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The few times Ross explored outside of his comfort zone with clothes, it didn’t go too well. This look for example, a black shirt with tight leather pants, is easily the most adventurously out-going (and slightly inappropriate) look he wore on the show.
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30 years after the launch of the show, it is incredible to continue to see people in the fashion industry draw inspiration from the iconic members of Friends. The iconic 90s looks have proven to be timeless, and I very much look forward to seeing how they will be reinvented and styled by today’s fashionistas.
Feature image courtesy of Cheat Sheet