Blair Waldorf Tops Ranking of TV Characters Still Influencing Fashion in 2026

New Pinterest analysis from Monsoon finds Blair Waldorf, Carrie Bradshaw and Rory Gilmore remain among television’s strongest fashion influences, showing how on-screen wardrobes continue to shape real-world style years after their shows first aired.

24 September 2026 — Television continues to play a powerful role in shaping how people dress, with new research from fashion brand Monsoon revealing the TV characters whose wardrobes are still driving style inspiration in 2026.

The study analysed Pinterest activity around 30 well-known television characters from the 2000s to the present, tracking pins and boards linked to outfits, style, fashion, wardrobes and character-inspired looks. The results show that some of television’s most recognisable wardrobes continue to generate significant interest years after their original appearances.

At the top of the ranking is Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, with 951,382 style-related Pinterest pins and boards, followed by Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City with 776,814 and Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls with 463,978.

Blair Waldorf leads with polished preppy style

Blair Waldorf’s first-place position reflects the enduring appeal of her polished, feminine and preppy aesthetic.

Her wardrobe became closely associated with tailored pieces, statement headbands, classic accessories and structured dresses, creating a visual identity that remained consistent throughout Gossip Girl.

The character’s style continues to appeal to fashion audiences looking for an elevated take on preppy dressing, particularly as classic silhouettes and heritage-inspired styling remain popular.

Blair also significantly outperforms fellow Gossip Girl character Serena van der Woodsen, who ranks eighth with 147,218 Pinterest pins and boards, showing how different character aesthetics from the same show can develop very different levels of long-term influence.

Carrie Bradshaw remains one of television’s biggest fashion references

Carrie Bradshaw takes second place with 776,814 style-related Pinterest saves, maintaining her position as one of television’s most enduring fashion figures.

Her wardrobe became known for its eclectic mix of designer fashion, bold colour, unusual accessories and unexpected styling combinations. Unlike more uniform character wardrobes, Carrie’s fashion identity was built around experimentation.

Some of her most memorable looks have become cultural references in their own right, including the Vivienne Westwood wedding dress featured in Sex and the City.

More than 174,000 pins and boards separate Carrie from Blair Waldorf at the top of the ranking, but the scale of continued interest highlights how strongly Sex and the City remains tied to fashion culture.

Rory Gilmore shows the strength of understated fashion

Rory Gilmore ranks third, with 463,978 pins and boards, offering a very different fashion proposition from both Blair and Carrie.

Her wardrobe is built around classic knitwear, coats, denim, skirts and preppy staples rather than high-impact styling. The character’s continued popularity suggests that fashion inspiration from television does not need to be dramatic or luxury-driven to remain relevant.

Rory’s autumnal aesthetic is particularly well suited to seasonal fashion trends, with layered knitwear and classic outerwear continuing to resonate with audiences looking for practical, wearable inspiration.

Her mother, Lorelai Gilmore, also appears in the top 10, ranking sixth with 184,145 Pinterest saves.

Rachel Green keeps 1990s fashion relevant

Rachel Green from Friends ranks fourth with 293,100 style-related Pinterest pins and boards.

Her wardrobe evolved throughout the series, moving between denim, simple T-shirts, slip dresses, fitted silhouettes and tailored pieces, making her one of the most recognisable representatives of 1990s and early-2000s fashion.

Her position in the top five reflects the continued revival of ’90s fashion and the return of minimalist silhouettes, Americana references and more casual everyday dressing.

Rachel’s appeal also comes from the relative accessibility of many of her looks. Compared with characters whose style depends heavily on luxury fashion, her wardrobe can often be recreated with simple basics.

Jessica Day rounds out the top five

Jessica Day from New Girl ranks fifth, with 209,456 Pinterest saves linked to her style.

Her wardrobe is known for bright colours, feminine silhouettes, printed dresses, skirts and playful accessories. Her presence in the ranking highlights the range of aesthetics represented across the top 10, from polished prep and maximalism to casual classics and colourful feminine dressing.

Together, the top five show that audiences are not following one dominant fashion formula. Instead, television continues to provide a catalogue of distinct style personalities that viewers can return to depending on mood, season or personal taste.

The top 10 best-dressed TV characters by Pinterest activity

Why TV wardrobes continue to matter

Caroline Jackson, Creative Director at Monsoon, said television remains a major source of fashion inspiration because audiences connect strongly with recognisable character identities.

Television has always played a huge role in shaping the way we think about fashion, and it’s clear from the Pinterest data that these iconic wardrobes continue to inspire us today.

Jackson pointed to the way different eras repeatedly return to fashion, with Rachel Green’s ’90s looks and Blair Waldorf’s polished silhouettes remaining relevant to contemporary wardrobes.

She also highlighted dresses as a recurring element across many of the characters in the ranking, from Blair’s feminine styling to Carrie’s more experimental statement pieces.

The results suggest that television fashion remains influential because characters offer complete, consistent style identities. Rather than presenting isolated products, costume design builds wardrobes over time, giving viewers a reference point they can revisit long after a series ends.

About Monsoon

Monsoon is a fashion retailer known for womenswear, dresses and accessories, with a focus on feminine design, print and occasionwear.