10 Best Dressed TV Characters

Costume Designer: Stephanie Maslansky

While Don Draper gave us a newfound respect for slim-cut suits, Neal Caffrey perfected the art of wearing them. Fedoras, pocket squares and tie clips are staples of his endlessly elegant closet, while even Collar's most casual costumes maintain Neal's respect for that vintage vibe.

Costume Designer: Meredith Markworth-Pollack
Hart brings a touch of city living to backwoods Alabama courtesy of flirty short-shorts, graphic print tops and the most luxurious labels. Zoe's signature style has been so successful, one of her ensembles has already earned a spot in The Paley Center's WB TV Out of the Box exhibit.

Costume Designer: Janie Bryant

With 5 Emmy nominations under her belt and an entire populace that's now obsessed with the 1960s, no costume designer working in TV today has done more for modern day fashion than Bryant. And Joan's curve-accentuating, figure-flattering designs are far and away the most emulated.

Costume Designer: Keri Smith

Eliza Coupe has legs for days and Smith ensures that Jane's wardrobe maximizes her stems by favoring sky-high heels and equally daring hemlines. Balance comes in the form of cap sleeve dresses, powerful blazers and flirty blouses.

Costume Designer: Maya Mani

When he's out of Colleen Atwood's astounding Arrow costume, Oliver Queen is sporting a wide array of finely tailor suits and the kind of luxe separates that remind us how big his bank account is.


From slick leather jackets to chic yet simple pullovers, Arrow's "real world" costuming is so spot-on, you almost regret when Stephen Amell takes it off. Almost.

Costume Designer: Luke Reichle

Of all the procedurals, Castle has presented the most realistic, yet sexy, incarnation of a modern day female police officer. Detective Beckett's structured jackets and monochromatic palate let you know she's in charge, but her airy tops prevent her from masquerading as "one of the boys."

Costume Designer: Elizabeth Martucci

After three seasons of sporting much-maligned sweaters, knee socks and headbands, Rachel's style got an upgrade (courtesy of the Vogue closet) when she moved to New York City in season four. Now, skin is in and form-fitting ensembles flaunt the bod Lea Michele's vegan diet has built.

Costume Designer: Cathy Crandall

Thanks to bold pattern pairings, a wonderful sense of color and an endless bank account, Ryan Murphy latest creation serves up a more grounded, yet still flamboyant, version of Glee's Kurt Hummel.

Costume Designer: Mandi Line

Ensuring fans could afford the PLL's clothes has been an imperative since day one. Although, as co-star Troian Bellisario laughs, "Our school outfits are outrageous. Sometimes we're standing together in the hallways, and we'll look around at all of our background actors who look like normal high school students. And we kind of make a joke, like, no wonder nobody talks to us in this school because we literally look so out of place."


Nowhere is that more true than with Aria. From feather earrings, to reflective skirts, no trend is too bold for Miss. Montgomery. But with risk comes reward and this daring dresser effortlessly elevates high school style.

Costume Designer: Lyn Paolo

One of the first things Kerry Washington and Paolo decided was that Olivia Pope would be the kind of character who figuratively and literally "wore the pants." Ensuring she still exuded femininity became their next challenge.


"There's a real balance between the smart and the feminine, powerful and delicate," Washington said of Pope's wardrobe. "The lines of the clothes are very powerful 'gladiator in a suit' attire, but the colors says 'I've left the establishment.' I'm not just wearing brown, navy, and black. I'm wearing softer colors because I work for myself now, and I have a little more freedom to be myself and not represent the larger institution of the White House."

Most actors will tell you that their performance is easily informed by the character's clothing. From the posture-altering undergarments of Mad Men to blood-stained scrubs of Grey's Anatomy, actors and costume designers tirelessly work hand-in-hand to provide the audience with a 360 degree experience.

GALLERY - Who Wore It Better?


But which partnerships have produced the most dazzling designs? Check out ETonline's choices for TV's 10 Best Dressed Characters!