“Euphoria” did not meet a dress code that did not want to break.
Since the HBO drama premiered in 2019, its fashion has been as important to its storytelling as any line of dialogue — introducing trends and leaving audiences in awe of the boldness of its looks.
Costume designer Natasha Newman-Thomas, who joined the series in Season 3, introduced a more mature age to the young characters. “I try to push boundaries wherever I can because that’s what makes things powerful and interesting, and I start conversations, whether people like it or not,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.
As the series wraps up its third and seemingly final season on HBO, take a look back at the fashion moments that defined each chapter.
Season 1
The first season’s wardrobe was a fever dream of vintage pulls, eBay finds and Swarovski crystals. Alexa Demie’s Maddy Perez was an instant standout, with a penchant for matching sets and flattering cuts.
Barbie Ferreira’s Kat got a punk-goth style twist – leather harnesses, mesh, corsets – while Hunter Schafer’s Jules created a sugary world of anime-inspired layers and technicolor eyeshadow.
The Halloween episode was a free costume inspired by the movie, with the cast channeling everyone from Baz Luhrmann’s Juliet to “True Romance”-era Alabama Worley.
Season 2
Costume designer Heidi Bivens went dark and heavy designer when “Euphoria” returns in January 2022, tying each character’s wardrobe tighter to their emotional journey.
Zendaya’s Rue kept pulling back in a matching burgundy Hanes hoodie, while Maddy graduated to a wardrobe of classic designer clothes and a sophisticated, albeit still skin-friendly, look. Her New Year’s Eve outfit — paired with “big high wings,” as makeup artist Donni Davy described her eyeliner look to Page Six Style — launched a slew of dupes.
Like Cassie, Sydney Sweeney’s gingham and floral skirt, which Maddy compared to “Oklahoma!”, became an instant meme, as did her pink swimsuit before melting in the hot tub for the birthday party – and the latter inspired a 500-person style list.
Season 3
“It’s not high school anymore,” Newman-Thomas told Harper’s Bazaar about the season finale. “Each actor has his own universe.”
Nate (Jacob Elordi) and Cassie’s wedding brought fashion chaos: the bride spilled in an embellished Wiederhoeft dress, Maddy rocked a green custom-cut “revenge dress,” Jules in an Acne Studios number and Rue in a suit and her ever-so-dirty Converse.
Nate’s $7,300 Bottega Veneta leather flannel, worn on a construction site, and Ernest W. Baker’s faux fur coat for Maddy at the pool, were reminders that performance has no small place in “Euphoria.”
Regardless of what the future may hold for the beloved show, the costumes have certainly made a mark in the history of costume design.
