Beverly Hills 90210

No, you are not in the wrong decade. I never said that I’d be sticking to modern television, did I? Beverly Hills 90210 is my guilty pleasure. I have the first eight seasons on DVD (I refuse to acknowledge seasons nine and ten; after Brandon [Jason Priestly] left, the show just wasn’t the same [Kelly and Brandon 4eva!]) but I still find the time to watch reruns on SOAPnet. The OG 90210 follows the exploits and romantic entanglements—as well as the dra-ma that comes with it—of Brandon (Priestly) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) Walsh, Minneapolis twins transplanted to Beverly Hills after their dad (James Eckhouse) is transferred there. Along with their parents (Eckhouse and Carol Potter), the Walsh twins navigate the treacherous social waters of Beverly Hills along with friends Kelly (Jennie Garth), Donna (Tori Spelling), Dylan (Luke Perry), Steve (Ian Ziering), Andrea (Gabrielle Carteris), and David (Brian Austin Green). I love those kooky, beautiful “kids”.

Luckily, the nineties are making a comeback in a huge way so pulling off the early nineties chic of 90210 should be a cinch. I recommend some boxy blazers with strong shoulders, like the Kaspar Jacket from Macy’s or Lauren Conrad’s Double-Breasted Boyfriend Blazer from Kohl’s in flame scarlet (or, as I like to call it, Kelly Taylor red). Light-wash high-waisted jeans are another must. Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth practically lived in them the first couple of seasons. Try the High-Rise Indigo Skinniest Jeans from Bullhead. Or, if you want to go all in, the High-Rise Poison Acid Jeggings, also from Bullhead. Skater printed dresses are also a must-have (bicycle shorts underneath are optional), preferably floral in pattern, like the Kimchi Blue Knit Floral Skater Dress from Urban Outfitters. Shoes, of course, are Doc Martens, preferably black. Or chunky heeled sandals like thesefrom ASOS.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer:

Buffy Summers is an iconic character. Everyone with access to any form of media knows what Buffy’s all about even if they’ve never seen the show themselves. She is the Slayer, chosen to save the world from vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. Or, in Buffy’s words, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Buffy encompasses late nineties panache. To emulate her awesome style, a pair of calf-length heeled boots like these from LuLu’s or these from Rag and Bone. A miniskirt is also necessary. You, of course, can find them anywhere, but I like this one and this one, both from Forever 21. Oxblood pants and any kind of tight black tank top comprise her iconic season three finale wardrobe. And remember, don’t shy away from wedges! Buffy was fond of wearing them even while patrolling the local cemeteries.

Hey Arnold!

Yes, it’s a cartoon. Was it my favorite show as a kid? Absolutely. It’s entirely possible to emulate a cartoon character’s fashion.

For our hero, this REDValentino sweater—in Turquoise green, naturally—over this red and pink plaid shirt and any old pair of light-wash blue jeans would do. For Arnold’s signature blue cap, plop this on your head.

Our antihero, Helga G. Pataki, is a bit harder. She has a very specific style. A casual pink dress like this one on Macy’s.com would be near perfect, as it has Helga’s famous white collar that she pulls when she gets nervous (like any time she’s around Arnold). Slip on these simple white ballet flats and finish it off with a big pink hair bow. Don’t forget the scowl!

Of course I can’t conclude a Hey Arnold entry without honoring P.S. 118’s resident fashion maven, Rhonda Wellington-Lloyd. Throw on these black skinny jeans from The Gap and this red ribbed cashmere sweater from Bloomingdale’s (of course). Finish off with a stylish pair of boots. Any sleek black heeled booties would do.

Thus closes my first entry into the world of fashion inspiration from our favorite TV shows. I just might continue this, because there are so many things we can take style inspiration from—not just television. Though it’s my preferred medium, you can become inspired by the green of your houseplant, or the blue of the sky. It’s all up to you! It’s your interpretation and no one can tell you it’s wrong.