The Emmy Award-winning Buffy the Vampire Slayer is truly a '90s classic that's inspired countless fans and artists with its clever storylines, quippy dialogue... and, of course, its fantastically iconic looks. From micro-mini skirts to leather dusters, the unique characters of the Buffyverse truly expressed themselves with their statement-making fashion choices.
There's no doubt the Scooby Gang and countless Big Bad's signature pieces certainly helped turn the show into a pop-culture staple when it comes to '90s fashion. Of course, despite its nostalgic trends, not every look was a winner and some of the stylistic choices felt downright baffling and impractical for sunny California weather and graveyard patrols.
Cordy's 'Come Bite Me' Outfit
To be fair, how was Cordelia Chase supposed to know that her wish would transport her to an alternate Sunnydale world where wearing anything beyond drab clothing would make her considered a vampire treat? While Cordy was always known for being a designer-obsessed fashionista, in this particular instance, her eye for fashion hardly worked in her favor with this impractical outfit choice. Unfortunately, in the Wishverse it only ended up contributing to Cordy's ultimate demise. Thankfully, reversing the wish resulted in bringing the fashionista back to continue her reign as Sunnydale High's Queen C.
Buffy's White Dress
Buffy Summers' white prom dress worn in "Prophecy Girl" (the season 1 finale of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is undoubtedly one of her most iconic and most cosplayed outfits. Though Buffy certainly knew how to slay in style, her high school self wasn't always the most practical when it came to choosing her outfits for fighting the forces of darkness. While the foretold prophecy that she would die at the hands of the Master no doubt left Buffy shaken, perhaps she should have ed that a flowing white dress wasn't likely to retain its Clorox crisp look in the Master's underground lair.
Wrong Fandom Giles
The ex-watcher took his new ownership of the Magic Box to the literal, yet enthusiastic extreme, when he dressed up in stereotypical wizard's gear: a purple robe, and a pointed hat complete with silver stars.
As a talented researcher, Giles should have recalled that all the previous owners of the magic shop ended up coming to some gruesome ends. Advertising his ownership with an impractical costume hardly seemed like an advisable choice in Sunnydale. After all, this look was hardly suitable for fleeing in terror or outwitting Big Bads. Thankfully, the impractical look was gone almost as fast as it appeared, as he just wore it for the opening.
The Randy Giles Disguise
Spike's attempt to blend in when he needed to lay low from the demon loan shark Teeth wasn't fooling anyone. If anything, the striking brown suit and bowtie combined with a deerstalker cap only made him stand out more than his signature all-black punk rocker look. When you're living in a west coast town where everyone's dressed for summery weather, wearing a heavy suit and winter hat is only going to draw more attention. It was of no surprise when Teeth's goons manage to track down the poorly disguised vampire and threaten to make him pay back his kitten debt. Spike probably would have been better off hiding his bleach blonde head under a more practical cap.
Tara's Medieval Dress
Fan-favorite Tara Maclay was almost always one of the most level-headed Scoobies in the gang, which is why it was such a head-scratcher that she chose a medieval-style costume for her big dance number, "Under Your Spell." While the white witch certainly looked like a princess serenading her beloved during her solo, the corseted look was ultimately an impractical choice for this practical witch's daywear. Tara must have realized her dress was less than sensible since the look was replaced that evening with a much more practical outfit.
Buffybot's Non-Slayer Friendly Outfit
While "the other, not-so-pleasant Buffy" may not have been as bubbly or filled with big mega-watt smiles as the Buffybot, she certainly had the upper-hand when it came to picking out stylish yet practical slay-wear. Unfortunately, Buffybot was not blessed with the same wardrobe smarts. Her "Intervention" outfit (stylish though the skirt and heel combo were,) simply was not practical for graveyard takedowns or fighting the forces of darkness. Here's to hoping poor Buffybot learned to adopt a more practical slay-friendly wardrobe, with fewer skirts and heels.
Glory's "No Place Like Home" Outfit
While Buffy the Vampire Slayer is no stranger to suspension of disbelief it's hard to imagine that Glory's "No Place Like Home" outfit was anything but impractical when it came to interrogating her enemies and going one-on-one with the Slayer. Thought the Hell God certainly looked Clare Kramer), with her penchant for a flashy wardrobe wasn't exactly known for her practicality, preferring style over sensibility.
Buffy's Noblewoman Costume
Throughout the series, one of Buffy Summers' deepest desires was to just be a regular girl. Unfortunately in the Buffyverse wishes can often have some negative consequences as seen in "Halloween" when Buffy's noblewoman costume leaves her helpless thanks to some magically induced amnesia. While this seemingly innocent costume wouldn't have been a problem had it not been for Ethan Rayne's meddling work, this outfit ultimately ended up being completely impractical due to its magical mojo. Poor Buffy just wanted to take a break from being the Slayer, who knew that picking out Halloween costumes could have such dire consequences?
Willow's Vamped Outfit
Early series Willow Rosenberg was always known for being reliable. While her looks were certainly filled with lots of cute, bright fuzzy tops, and often wacky '90s style sweaters, she never strayed from practicality.
It doesn't seem like her vampire Wishverse self received the memo. Her undead counterpart certainly wasn't dressing with sensible style in mind when she went over to the darker side. Vamp Willow tended to lean more towards a goth queen of darkness look, complete with tight leather corsets and equally uncomfortable-looking matching leather pants.
Slayerfest 98's Homecoming Dresses
Though it was more out of circumstance than anything else, Buffy and Cordelia's formal dress outfits became a hindrance when the two were tricked into becoming captives for SlayerFest '98. While the dance appropriate looks would have been undoubtedly perfect for Sunnydale High's Homecoming, the shiny evening dresses and matching heels clearly got in the way as the two begrudgingly worked together to outwit the teams of assassins. By the time the duo declared victory and marched into the dance the two looked thoroughly bedraggled.