Sarah Michelle Gellar in her role Buffy the Vampire Slayer holding a knife

Fashion

Private Icon: Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Slaying in style.

by Marie Lodi

Welcome to NYLON’s Buffy Week, where we dive into the enduring impact of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and celebrate Sunnydale’s finest. Check back all week for a look into the show’s lasting legacy on culture, from fashion to music, and everything in between.

Vampires may have had that whole romantic goth look down for centuries, but the girl who slays them is an eternal style icon of her own. In the almost 25 years since the Buffy the Vampire Slayer show debuted, there have been countless thinkpieces, Tumblrs, and Instagram accounts paying homage to Buffy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) kick-ass style. Buffy pulled off everything she wore, from all leather everything to preppy pastel cardigan sets. She proved she was the Chosen One in both skills and style.

Ahead, check out our favorite Buffy outfits, with tips on how to recreate them yourself, so you’ll be just as stylish as our favorite Slayer. And you won’t even have to face the Hellmouth!

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Buffy’s brown boots went with everything, but she wore them most with a super short mini dress, serving a bit of 1960s go-go girl style.

Levon Knee High Boot
Kenneth Cole New York

Brown knee-high boots are as made for fall as a pumpkin spice latte.

$154
$248.95
see on nordstrom

A short dress that says Slayer-goes-Mod Squad.

If brown isn’t your thing, a classic black boot will always suffice. (Buffy wore many pairs of these, too.)

Getty Images / Handout

Cargo pants make sense if you’re a vampire slayer. Add a three-quarter sleeve hoodie during those cemetery-patrolling nights.

Deep pockets are necessary to stash your stakes.

If you want to be a little more subtle with the cargo pant trend, go for a black jogger style.

A white tank top is the perfect Buffy basic to wear underneath your hoodie.

Andrew Mac Pherson/20th Century Fox Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Leather is to Buffy Summers as plaid is to Cher Horowitz. Whether it’s a moto jacket, a leather trench coat, or her iconic red leather pants, you’ll easily be able to invoke our Sunnyvale shero.

Find a leather pant that lets you move freely, in case you need to kick some vampire booty.

Every slayer needs a black moto jacket in their closet.

Replace the classic trench coat with a Buffy favorite in black faux leather.

Read more about Buffy and the show’s fashion, best couples, and scariest episodes.

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