Fashion icons in cartoons aren't common. Cartoon aesthetics mean characters mostly wear the same clothes. When characters almost always wear the same clothes, it's hard to be fashionable. However, a character's confidence can add dazzle to their wardrobe.
Some fashion appeal comes from animation styles and backstories. There are a few obvious contenders for the runway while others are an acquired taste. Occasionally, there is an outfit change that is hands-down amazing. It can come down to luck or incredible taste and skill but only a few cartoons are truly fashionable.
10 The Bratz Have Different Favorite Looks
Far from being the edgy alternative to Barbie, Bratz have their own distinctive looks. Some parents don't approve of their influence but they are teenagers after all. Living in a place called Stylesville and running a teen magazine is no easy feat for the four friends.
Sasha, Jade, Yasmin and Cloe all have distinctive tastes in clothing. Sasha is a fan of streetwear with accessories like beanies. She likes clothing that makes dancing easier. Also known as Kool Kat, Jade follows trends and sets them. She scouts for unique looks and pulls them off. Yasmin is unafraid of leaning into her bohemian aesthetic. She adores earthy tones and mixing fashions from different time periods. Cloe enjoys sparkling clothing, animal prints and unorthodox accessories. Variety makes the Bratz brand successful.
9 Cruella De Vil Is Ready To Kill For Fashion
Cruella De Vil is one of Disney's most recognizable cartoon villains. Though she's a wealthy fashion designer, De Vil’s love of clothes is tied to her cruelty. Her surprisingly dark goal in 101 Dalmatians is to sate her lust for fur coats by murdering puppies.
Cruella’s signature look is a dichromatic pattern, so contrast is her dominant theme. Her hair is half white and half black. Her black dress is paired with a cream-colored fur coat with an interior red lining. Red heels tie in her turquoise earrings and the ring on her red gloves. Her green eyeshadow and red lipstick are bold but the most outlandish part of Cruella De Vil’s ensemble is her purse with three foxtails.
8 Daria's An Effortless Trendsetter
The titular character of Daria, Daria Morgendorffer is a cynical and intellectual teenager. Daria decries conformity and her sister’s superficial interests. In her own words, she hates fashion so Daria's a reluctant fashionista at best.
Daria’s green coat and black pleated skirt with black laced boots are timeless and chic. Her round glasses and air of indifference add to the coolness of her look. In a mock interview with WWD, Daria stated "my signature look reflects my belief that you should not be judged by your clothes" and "my boots send a clear message: 'I can kick you." Memorable quotes indeed from an apathetic icon.
7 Edna Mode Defines Avant-Garde Style
-(1600-×-800px).jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
In her world and in reality, Edna Mode is an undisputed fashion genius. She loves the Parrs/The Incredibles and expresses her affection through fashion and high tech. Usually, Edna's own style is expressed through understated dark colors. Edna knows all about fabric and designs for superheroes because she likes the challenge. She refers to her tenure as a super suit expert as designing for the gods.
Edna is an unconventional industry guru. She doesn’t like supermodels and thinks they are “spoilt, silly little stick figures". The most groundbreaking part of Edna’s fashion philosophy is her adaptability. Superheroes are known for capes but for safety reasons, she ensures super suits are practically tailored to abilities and eschews the dangling cloth death traps.
6 Dr. Facilier's Style Reflects His Personality
For someone who has friends on the other side, Princess and the Frog's Dr. Facilier is very grounded in contemporary style. His fashion sense is so distinct that it's as much a part of his character as his undeniable evil charms.
Dr. Facilier’s clothing spells ruthlessness with an audacious touch of class. His top hat is adorned with a purple feather but also a skull with crossbones, reflecting his deadly nature. The root doctor also dons a dark tailcoat and pants and a red hatband to match his cummerbund and carries a purple globed cane to emphasize his flashy nature. He embraces his darkly mystical nature and it shows up in everything he wears.
5 Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins Is Subtlety Defined
The newest addition to The Proud Family franchise, Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins is a force to be reckoned with. The teen activist and independent thinker is daring in life but her fashion choices are subtle.
Maya's look fits her personality as a person who almost fits in, with only a few of her black braids dyed burgundy. She dresses comfortably and is comfortable in her own skin.She wears a wide range of colors and reads a wide range of books, almost turning her texts into accessories through sheer sense of style of and force of will.
4 Ms. Bellum Has A Signature Look
The Powerpuff Girls has interesting side characters, but most of them are villains. However, the Mayor's secretary, Sara Bellum, is an icon of beauty and intellect who effectively runs Townsville. The series never shows her face, but that just makes her bright red suit and hair more memorable.
Like many animated characters, Ms. Bellum basically has one look, but she makes it work. Her tight outfit and the bold combination of red and gold says a lot about her. Even the most arrogant supervillain is bound to notice her and that doesn't frighten her. Even if they can't see her face, they'll always remember her form-fitting dress.
3 Poison Ivy Cleans Up Really Well
With the new Harley Quinn animated series, Poison Ivy became a much cooler character. Fashion sense comes part and parcel with her natural appearance. Her mint green skin perfectly complements the leaf green blazer she usually wears.
Ivy’s outfits mostly feature green shades which look splendid with her complexion and her red hair. Usually a casual dresser, she's also been known to rise to formal occasions with plant-inspired purple dresses. Her versatile wardrobe proves her sense of style and her nonchalant attitude elevates her daily wear.
2 The Fairy Godmother Accessorizes With Her Wand
Shrek’s Fairy Godmother is one of the most famous parodies of an established fairytale character. She is not obviously a fashion pioneer until late in her film, Shrek 2. When The Fairy Godmother is at the Far Far Away Ball, she uses her wand to transform her blue dress into a memorable red sequined ball gown.
Using magic for fashion requires technique and attention to detail. She also changes her glasses to better match her new look, as she launches into an unforgettable rendition of Bonnie Tyler's "I Need A Hero." She's vain and self-serving, of course, but since she came to perform she's definitely going to look the part. Compared to her frumpy Disney counterpart, Shrek's villainous fairy godmother is a fashionable goddess.
1 Garnet Is Inherently Fashionable
Steven’s Universe animation experiments with different sizes, species and Gem fusions. Garnet’s character design itself is remarkably fashionable. As the living embodiment of a loving queer relationship she always looks gorgeous. She's known not just for her two-tone outfit and luscious afro but for her wide mirrorshades that conceal her future-seeing third eye.
Over time, Garnet's demonstrated several different looks. In flashbacks, her original form featured a messy fusion with light blue hair with pink highlights, and it was clear that her look was more grounded in Ruby and Sapphire's looks, the two Gems who fused to create her. As an alien Gem, Garnet's appearance changes to suit her true nature. She looks strong and sharp because that's who she is and nothing will tear her apart.