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  3. 15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's greatest fashion moments

15 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer's greatest fashion moments

Death isn't her gift. Accessorizing is.

By Mary Sollosi Updated July 27, 2022 at 10:02 AM EDT
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Slayer chic

buffy-fashion-split
Credit: Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox; Andrew MacPherson/20th Century Fox (2)

Over seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer — which debuted March 10, 1997 — Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) dusted countless vamps, be it with a stake, a crossbow, or a good old-fashioned beheading. But the true secret weapon in her arsenal? That killer '90s wardrobe. With every choker, every floral print, and every strappy crop top, the Sunnydale teen truly slayed. Check out 15 of her greatest looks, ahead.  

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Prophecy Girl

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYERSarah Michelle Gellar1st Season
Credit: Richard Cartwright/20th Century Fox

This white evening gown, accessorized with a crossbow, sees Buffy through her own prophesied death, subsequent unexpected revival, and eventual defeat of the Master (Mark Metcalf) in season 1's finale, "Prophecy Girl." Fashion speaks louder than words, and this ensemble says, loud and clear: "We saved the world. I say we party." 

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The red leather pants

Graduation-Day
Credit: 20th Century Fox

"Look at you. All dressed up in big sister's clothes," Faith (Eliza Dushku) says to Buffy when she sees her in season 3's "Graduation Day, Part 1" wearing these utterly iconic red leather pants. And while this look may seem more suited to Faith — and is a departure from Buffy's mega-girly teen wardrobe — both the silhouette and the color scheme will come to define her style even more than any of her floral skirts ever did. 

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Growl power

leopard-print
Credit: 20th Century Fox

Nobody can rock leopard print like Buffy Summers, whether it takes the shape of a tank top, a button-up, or a short skirt and a looooong jacket. Welcome to the '90s. 

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Buffy the Bridesmaid

Buffy the vampire slayer
Credit: Andrew MacPherson/20th Century Fox

Yikes! No wonder Anya (Emma Caulfield) and Xander's (Nicholas Brendon) wedding doesn't work out. 

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A true classic

dead-mans-party
Credit: 20th Century Fox

Look at that pastel tank top! That slit floral skirt! The barrette, the choker, and the half-Rachel hair! This look brings together so many crucial Buffy wardrobe elements, it should be in a museum. 

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A showstopping number

Once-More-with-Feeling
Credit: 20th Century Fox

When the demon who made Sunnydale sing throughout season 6's "Once More, With Feeling" says "now that was a showstopping number," is he talking about Buffy's confessional performance, or what she wore while she delivered it? The slayer's cowl-neck, swishy-sleeved red top from the musical episode's dramatic finale — not to mention the purple-lined leather jacket and tastefully bejeweled jeans she paired it with — really is something to sing about. 

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The slo-mo trench

becoming
Credit: 20th Century Fox

If any garment was ever made for running in supremely badass slow-motion, it's this blue jacket. 

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Let them wear pink

Halloween
Credit: 20th Century Fox

In a misguided effort to impress Angel (David Boreanaz), Buffy abandons her '90s teen threads to go full Marie Antoinette in season 2's "Halloween." Unfortunately for everyone involved (except Xander, whose magically acquired military knowledge somehow lasts him the rest of the series), Ethan Rayne (Robin Sachs) has cursed all the costumes in his shop to turn their wearers into whatever they're masquerading as. His dirty trick notwithstanding, however, this pink 18th-century confection is a pure treat. 

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Pre-slaying sweetness

becoming-2
Credit: 20th Century Fox

Buffy learned that she was the slayer (and insisted that she was "destiny-free, really"), in a flashback in season 2's "Becoming, Part 1," while wearing one of her cutesiest outfits of the entire series. And what better to accessorize a delicate, daisy-strapped tank than with matching barrettes and a lollipop?  

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With a cherry on top

freshman-restless
Credit: 20th Century Fox

These two cherry-print dresses are more than just a pair of sugary-sweet fashion statements — they also serve as sartorial bookends to season 4. The peasant-necked dress, which appears in season opener "The Freshman," is Buffy's choice for her first day of college, where she finds herself missing the intimacy and familiarity of high school and overwhelmed by UC Sunnydale's sprawling campus and cavernous library. In the landmark final episode of season 4, the surrealistic "Restless," Buffy wears the V-neck cherry-print dress in a dream, where she meets with the First Slayer in the desert. Their encounter makes her realize — as only a dream can — that she is unique among slayers in that she is not alone, and her friends give her strength as much as her supernatural calling does. (In short: Wear a cherry-print dress, overcome existential loneliness.)

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Happy Homecoming

homecoming
Credit: 20th Century Fox

If Buffy's got a brand new dress for a formal occasion, you can bet she'll have to battle the forces of evil in it — and in season 3's "Homecoming," she has to do it alongside a similarly overdressed Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), who also happens to be her competitor for Homecoming Queen. Despite looking oddly Christmassy together in their red and green dresses, they make a pretty good team. 

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An explosive chapeau

revelations
Credit: 20th Century Fox

Bomb, indeed.

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Woman in uniform

Anne-Doublemeat-Palace
Credit: 20th Century Fox

While Buffy's preferred slaying uniform usually consists of a short dress and knee-high boots, she is required, on a few occasions, to don actual employer-mandated workwear. In these unfortunate instances, when hiding from her calling in season 3 premiere "Anne" or struggling to get out of debt in season 6's "Doublemeat Palace," she usually manages to lend the looks her own distinction — and always somehow finds herself back in slayer mode, despite demon-hunting not being part of the job description. 

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Casual Buffy

School-hard
Credit: 20th Century Fox

While season 2's "School Hard" is most noteworthy as the episode to feature Spike's (James Marsters) first appearance, we would be remiss to let that completely overshadow this flawless example of casual Buffy-wear. Because roundhouse-kicking vampires in a tiny tank top and micro-miniskirt is one thing, but painting a banner for parent-teacher night requires nothing less practical than shapeless overalls and an embroidered tie-dye tee.  

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Class Protector

the prom
Credit: 20th Century Fox

The forces of darkness never fail to interfere with Buffy's plans whenever Sunnydale High has a school dance scheduled, and the prom is no exception. Buffy finds herself fighting hellhounds before attending the dance, naturally, but once there, she is given a rare reward for all her sacrifices when she is named Class Protector. She is lovely in lilac for the sweet moment, her strapless floor-length gown beautifully complemented by the bedazzled miniature umbrella presented to her by Jonathan (Danny Strong). When she caps off the night by sharing one final slow dance with Angel, it's clear that not even all the demons in the hellmouth could ruin her perfect prom. 

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    1 of 16 Slayer chic
    2 of 16 Prophecy Girl
    3 of 16 The red leather pants
    4 of 16 Growl power
    5 of 16 Buffy the Bridesmaid
    6 of 16 A true classic
    7 of 16 A showstopping number
    8 of 16 The slo-mo trench
    9 of 16 Let them wear pink
    10 of 16 Pre-slaying sweetness
    11 of 16 With a cherry on top
    12 of 16 Happy Homecoming
    13 of 16 An explosive chapeau
    14 of 16 Woman in uniform
    15 of 16 Casual Buffy
    16 of 16 Class Protector

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