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Although unconfirmed, the wardrobe department of the show had a “no repeat” policy for outfits, which meant that every outfit worn by a character was unique and only worn once in the show. While outfits in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air may be underappreciated, they deserve more attention thanks to the show’s stellar costume department. Different clothing styles used in the Fresh Prince include:
Preppy style: Will Smith often wore preppy outfits, including pastel-colored polo shirts, khaki pants, cardigans, and boat shoes. The preppy clothes reflected the culture and fashion of wealthy, upper-class neighborhoods like Bel Air. The series aimed to showcase the stark differences between Will’s street-smart, urban upbringing and the refined, educated culture of his new elite social circle – and clothing played a big part in this portrayal. Will’s preppy look was especially evident in the earlier seasons of the show, when he would often wear colorful and patterned sweaters over collared shirts. He also wore varsity jackets and paired them with sneakers to add a streetwear edge to his looks.
Carlton’s preppy style was inspired by the Ivy League look, a college student trend in the ’80s/’90s.
These two blazer coats (found on Amazon here) satisfyingly portray the one Will Smith famously wore inside out on the episode “Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect: Part 2,” (third episode in season #1). If you know of any other Fresh Prince inspired clothing, leave a note in the comments!
Hip-hop style: Will also occasionally wore hip-hop style clothing, which became more prominent in the later seasons. As the show progressed, the fashion trends of the 1990s evolved and hip hop fashion became more mainstream. Will Smith’s character, in particular, was known for his bold and colorful streetwear outfits, including oversized graphic t-shirts and jackets, baggy jeans, and sneakers. These helped to reflect the show’s urban and contemporary setting. Will was known for his love of hip-hop music and fashion, which influenced his character’s wardrobe choices. The character of Jazz often wore colorful tracksuits, bucket hats, and sneakers. Carlton, in the later seasons, started wearing more streetwear-inspired clothing, such as oversized t-shirts and hoodies.
See Also: 10 things many people don’t know about the Fresh Prince of Bel Air
90s grunge style: Some of the female characters on the show, such as Ashley Banks, rocked 90s grunge style clothing, including plaid shirts tied around the waist, oversized T-shirts, and combat boots. Did you know Will wore a vintage Nirvana t-shirt and distressed jeans while trying to impress a grunge-loving girl? You’ll find this in season 5, ep 5 (“The Baby Comes Out”). There’s also a moment in the episode “Father Knows Best” (Season 6, Ep 1), where Will wears an outfit consisting of a long-sleeved flannel shirt, ripped jeans, and Doc Martens while helping his friend deal with his absentee father.
Bright colors: The show featured a lot of bright and bold colors, including neon colors, primary colors, and pastel colors.
- In the show’s opening credits, Will is seen wearing a neon-colored outfit, which includes a bright yellow t-shirt, green and pink patterned shorts, and red and green sneakers.
- In Season 1, Ep 6, “Mistaken Identity,” Will wears a bright orange t-shirt with a multicolored design on the front.
- In Season 2, Ep 2, “The Mother of All Battles,” Hilary wears a bright green dress with a matching hat and purse.
- In Season 4, Ep 11, “Fresh Prince After Dark,” Will wears a bright blue suit with a yellow shirt and a patterned tie.
- In Season 6, Ep 22, “I, Done (Part 2),” Will wears a bright red and black leather jacket over a black t-shirt.
Athletic wear: Fresh Prince characters often wore athletic wear, including tracksuits, sweatpants, and athletic sneakers. In season 1, Episode 3: “Clubba Hubba” – Will and Carlton wear basketball shorts and tank tops while playing basketball at a local gym. In “Granny Gets Busy” (season 2), Will, Carlton, and Uncle Phil all wear tennis whites while playing a game of tennis. In season 4, ep 18 (“Boxing Helena”), Will and Carlton wear boxing gear while training for a charity boxing match. During “I, Stank Horse” in season 6, Will and Carlton wear track suits and sneakers while jogging in the park.
High fashion: Hilary Banks’ outfits were often made from high-end designer brands, such as Chanel and Versace, which were loaned to the show by fashion houses. The show’s costume designer, Judy Richman, incorporated high fashion trends into the show to reflect the wealthy lifestyle of the Banks family and their affluent community in Bel Air.
Overall, the fashion on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was a mix of preppy, hip-hop, grunge, and athletic styles, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and personalities of the characters. Did any of these styles become popular among young people who wanted to emulate the affluent lifestyle of the characters in Fresh Prince?