Old School TV Style: Fashion Inspired by The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Photos: 1 & 3: TV screencaps, 2: Official Fresh Prince promotional photo
After a hiatus, Old School TV Style is back! This column aims to explore the fashions from your favorite bygone TV shows, then remix said looks into ensembles that would work today. (As always, if you have a TV show you’d like to see covered next, let us know by leaving a comment!)
The award for favorite ’90s after-school sitcom (and best opening sequence ever) goes to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In the off chance you don’t know this show (where have you been?), here’s the basic premise: Will Smith plays a fictionalized version of himself that gets into trouble while living in West Philadelphia, and is sent to Bel-Air to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle, and their kids. The show’s funniest moments come from Will’s street-smart ways clashing with the high-class lifestyle of his new guardians.
The show originally aired from 1990 to 1996, but rather than highlighting the grungy styles of the era, Fresh Prince‘s look focused on the brightly colored California hip-hop aesthetic. Want to steal some of — okay, cheese disclaimer — Big Willy’s Style? Read on, girls!
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Fresh Prince Style
Will Smith basically played himself in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so his outfits stuck pretty close to the young, bright, eccentric, and colorful styles he rocked as a rapper. Fresh Prince Will is always seen in color — from pastels to day-glow brights. He also rocks patterned pieces, mostly sticking to geometric patterns and abstract, arty prints.
Will Smith’s favorite pieces reflected the popular trends of the era. He often wore windbreakers, parachute pants reminiscent of MC Hammer, overalls, and stone-washed denim. Though harem pants and stone washed jeans have made a bit of a comeback, rocking overalls or a multi-colored windbreaker takes serious sartorial guts — and, well, I’m always up for a challenge! To pull these looks off without looking costumey, try to keep the rest of your outfit somewhat basic and modern for a healthy mix of old and new.
