Are You In or Out? What the Fashion in Sirens Tells Us About Social Class and Character Development
The Fashion Stock Market here, your one and only source into the hottest style trends and fashion events. Lately, I’ve been obsessing over watching limited series’, in particular watching a Netflix drama with my sisters and letting it become our whole personalities for a few days. Summer is the perfect time to binge that cool thriller you were too busy to start during the hectic school year or when holiday season was at its peak. I’ve seen my fair share of limited series’, and you know what makes them extra fun to watch and sets them apart from the average weekly televised program? The outfits, of course. Costume designers work overtime to show us mere viewers the inner turmoil of one character, the development of another, and the power dynamics that exist in that limited series universe. When I watch these shows, I suddenly feel transported back to AP Literature, as I contemplate why one character wears pastels and the other wears neutral colors, or why one wears sweats and the other wears linens. Sometimes the costume choices are subtle but effective, as seen in a series like The Queen’s Gambit, while other times subtlety is thrown out the window to make room for a more obvious statement. I found the latter to be the philosophy of the costume design for the show Sirens, a thrilling dark comedy which explores the class divide and how psychology affects decision-making.
The character who is most dedicated to this fashion choice is Simone, who is certainly the person in the show most dedicated to Michaela, as her assistant and friend.
Photo: Netflix
When I first watched Sirens, all I could think to myself was, “Why on Earth are all these uber rich New Englanders wearing Lily Pulitzer?” After all, as of late stripes and neutrals are what people wear to summer on Nantucket, not whatever the hell Devon wore in episode one. This is not to say people don’t love the fashion from the show; many articles have been written about where to find the pieces, and TikTok users have had fun recreating some of Simone and Devon’s looks. But seriously, does anyone actually dress like that who summers on the cape? It piqued my interest to say the least, and I knew I had to do the deep dive into the why, because when it comes to fashion, there’s always a reason.
When Simone dethrones Kiki and joins the party side-by-side with Peter, she opts for a custom-made silver satin gown. It’s as if she’s affirming her control; she is a leader, not a follower.
Photo: Netflix
The “exaggerated preppy style,” as Vogue writer Elise Taylor explains, was an intentional choice by costume designer Caroline Duncan. Why? To set apart the friends and workers of Michaela and Peter Kell. If you were Devon, you’d speculate that this is cult leader Michaela’s (aka Kiki’s) way of setting apart her charming group of cult followers. The bright and in-your-face Lily Pulitzer dresses leave no room for question in the minds of the viewers and the other characters in the show: it’s a symbol of your devotion to both Michaela and the lifestyle that comes with being around her. The character who is most dedicated to this fashion choice is Simone, who is certainly the person in the show most dedicated to Michaela, as her assistant and friend. But also, Michaela is the one who pays for all of Simone’s things, likely influencing what she chooses to buy and wear for herself. Her bold fashion choices, bordering on ridiculous, emphasize her desperation to be a part of Kiki’s world. Before working for Michaela, Simone’s style was similar to that of Devon’s: muted colors, with an emphasis on black, tattoos, and practical, comfortable clothing choices. Kiki’s influence on what people wear is a reflection on the conscious and subconscious power she holds over all the characters. Although we learn Peter has the true power in their relationship, at least on the surface, Michaela’s impact is clear.
Michaela wearing the Solace London white gown at Barnaby’s funeral.
Photo: Netflix
However, the dress code isn’t just for setting apart people like Devon from the Kells’ circle, but also works to highlight the Kells themselves. You never find Michaela wearing intense flower mini dresses and a headband, and you most certainly never see Peter sporting a suit jacket with ducks all over it (ahem Ethan ahem). These characters dress like what you may describe as “quiet luxury,” with white, beige, blue, and yellow being some of the main colors they wear. I mean, the Solace London white gown Michaela wears at Barnaby’s funeral is the epitome of class and elegance. In fact, when Simone dethrones Kiki and joins the party side-by-side with Peter, she opts for a custom-made silver satin gown. It’s as if she’s affirming her control; she is a leader, not a follower. The stark contrast between the elegant, stealth-wealth fashion of the Kells and the rest of their clan seems to say, “You’re one of us, but not really.”
At the end of the series, Devon wears the same outfit she wore when she arrived at Cliff House, representing her decision to stay in Buffalo to care for her dad.
Photo: Netflix
What other clues could the fashion choices of Sirens give us into the psychologies of these complex characters? Like I said, this is high school English class, no theories are off the table here! My favorite fashion evolution is Devon’s because she goes through a whole styling journey, just to come back to the place she started. She enters the scene wearing an all black outfit, eyeliner, a messy bun, and combat boots. When she stays at Cliff House, the Kells’ estate, she wears the clothes Michaela picks out for her, which are very preppy and the polar opposite of Devon’s style. She is resistant to wearing the Lily Pulitzer dress that was laid out for her, and she looks wrong even wearing it. Rather than embracing the bright pastels and fun patterns like her sister, Devon shows us that she rejects this lavish lifestyle, which is made clear by her later actions. When she buys a dress for herself using Michaela’s tab at the hotel, she buys something new that is much more her style: a crimson dress by Francesa Miranda. Not only does Devon look stunning in this dress, but it symbolizes her coming into her own and taking control of her situation. As Refinery29 writer Fawnia Soo Hoo notes, the color is a nod to her Buffalo roots, as red is one of the Buffalo Bills’ colors. When the girls take Devon out shopping, all paid for by the Kells, the class divide and monetary power Michaela has is further stressed, but Devon still hates everything she tries on. At the end of the series, Devon wears the same outfit she wore when she arrived at Cliff House, representing her decision to stay in Buffalo to care for her dad. Although she experienced immense change and had revelations about both herself and Simone, she arrives back where she started, a true full circle moment.
Solar halter dress by Francesca Miranda, the crimson version being worn by Devon in Episode 1.
Photo: Francesca Miranda
As mentioned earlier, people are really loving the fashion of Sirens, despite the preppy style being mocked by various characters throughout the show. Yes, I see the irony in this, but still it’s true. In relation to the show, searches for the color pink are up 25.6%, searches for “elegant” are up 43.6%, and textures like print (97.4% increase) and floral (+89.7%) are extremely popular. 4an’t be a coincidence though, how the show comments on how Michaela’s inner circle is cult-like and how other characters want to be around the Kells because of their luxurious lifestyle, and now young girls are suddenly deciding that they need that Vineyard Vines dress. A rich, lavish life in a place like Port Haven is desired by not only Simone, but the audience. Again, it’s ironic, but who doesn’t want to be rich and hot, hosting epic Labor Day parties and doing charity on the side? Can’t blame a girl for having dreams!
Photo: Netflix
Sirens is a brilliant example of why watching TV is so fun for a fashionista. Not only do we get to see drama between a bunch of rich people unfold (much like Gossip Girl and White Lotus, favorites of the fashion community), but we get to see unique ensembles that hold much more meaning than the designer or label that made them. Watching these series’ reminds us that fashion has never been a shallow, meaningless domain; the choices that are made reflect the director’s view on characters, the characters’ inner selves, and everything in between. To you, Simone wearing a dress just shows how she is Michaela’s doll, doing whatever she wants whenever she wants it done, but to me it may show her inner desire to be like Michaela, resulting in her jaw-dropping choice in the final episode. No answers are wrong, and there are many, many more theories out there than the ones I’ve listed here. Next time you watch a show, ask yourself why the main character is wearing flashy designer clothes, or why the romantic interest looks like they got dressed in the dark. Fashion tells a story only those observant enough to notice can read; watching TV and picking up on the little style details feels like being a part of a secret club of chic philosophers. Don’t you see now why I love a good limited series? I’m off to start a new one, so until next time loyal readers!
XOXO, The Fashion Stock Market
Cover Photo: Netflix
Editor: Felicity Field
