As we prepare to hammer the final nail into Glee’s coffin, it’s hard to not feel a little bit nostalgic for a show that – while problematic and sort of a hot mess – could always make us feel something. True to its name, it was one of the most gleeful shows of TV, brimming over with music and happiness and love in all forms. It made us smile and it broke our hearts. It saw its lead realize her ultimate dream, it tackled nearly ever Really Important Issue ever and it said goodbye to a beloved character. (RIP Cory/Finn. I’m still not over it.)
And then there was the fashion. It wasn’t Gossip Girl-level fabulous, but that was sort of the point. At least in the early seasons, we saw these kids present themselves in such relatable ways. They looked like normal people. They dressed like normal people. The show has replaced that rag tag feeling by adding more Hollywood-pretty cast members and making over its core cast – I mean, everyone on that show is beyond attractive and I’ve certainly spotted a Helmut Lang sweater or two (a gift from Daddy and Daddy, Rachel?).
The show has changed in almost every way possible – hell, it even switched locations – but the one thing no one really talks about is how the characters’ fashion has evolved since season one. Did they hire a new costume designer? Is the shift in fashion supposed to represent the characters’ increased confidence? Did they just get a bigger budget? Who knows. But one thing is clear – a look back at Glee‘s early days – seen through the lens of fashion – is totally necessary.
Highs and Lows: The Style Evolutions of Glee's Characters
