Fashion is a big part of TV. In my opinion, the audience evaluates television show characters by their attractiveness and style. The main reason many people watch television is for “an escape” from everyday life. However, people also watch television programs for companionship with fictional characters; viewers have a tendency to get attached to a character after a couple of episodes and then develop a desire to act or even dress like them. Costume designers strive to make the main characters in certain TV. shows appear enviably fashionable, whether it is a Hampton avenger, a gleeful high school teenager or a wild child in order to dazzle the average viewer. From what I have seen, the fashion senses of Revenge’s Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke, Glee’s  Blaine Anderson, and Modern Family’s party animal Haley Dunphy serve as an on-screen seller and definitely “hook” the viewers to the character.
 A character’s actions and reactions reveal a lot about their personality, but their wardrobe can say just as much.
Emily Thorne/Amanda Clarke (Emily Van Camp)Â
The main character’s mission in “ Revenge” is to avenge her father’s death by destroying the lives of those who were responsible. Rather than slither around in a black hoodie, this character takes down the enemies one by one in designer clothing and occasionally gives the classic “death stare” to her next victim while wearing five inch heels and an Oscar de la Renta dress. It’s in The Hamptons after all! While fighting crime, Ms. Thorne’s striking outfits are always well put together and she manages to work the room at cocktail parties while simultaneously blackmailing a target. The message to the female audience might be that you cannot go wrong by following her lead when you are multitasking and simultaneously deciding on an evening dress! Eventually, we college girls might be graduate students looking “primetime” out on the town while writing our dissertations!
Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss)
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If one is not struck with glee when they hear this guy sing, then I would be astounded! Gay teen Blaine Anderson, who is an ex-Warbler as “Gleeks” know, has made a name for himself on “Glee” with his first breakout moment of singing “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry. For those in the know, his mesmerizing vocals not only catch the audience’s ear, but also his stylish ways catches one’s eye as well. After he traded in his Warbler uniform, Blaine has had the opportunity to show his true self by blazing down the McKinley High School hallways adorned in suspenders, v-neck sweaters, and colorful tight pants as he accessorizes with the iconic bow-tie from time to time. Even though his fashion sense pertains to guys, women can take advice on how he mixes-and-matches with colors. Even if one is not a Glee fan per se, Anderson’s clothing choices can certainly encourage students to try new styles in an attempt to “look fly” in their Econ class!
 Haley Dunphy (Sarah Hyland)
As The Runway show comes to an end, this last model is someone I think students can relate to most of all. Haley Dunphy is the troubled, eldest daughter of parents Claire and Phil Dunphy on the comedy show “Modern Family”. For the most part, her irrational comments and slow-thinking mentality define her character, yet her wardrobe can classify her otherwise. This character’s clothing style has evolved over the course of the show as she enters adulthood. College girls may favor her casual clothing because her outfits are chic, yet simple enough to wear to class.
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The overall style of television characters clearly affects the style and dress habits of young viewers and for college kids, first developing their sense of style as independent young adults, there is definitely an impact made by personalities whom they admire. As trends come and go, the wave of fashion and those leading the way, will always be changing both in Hollywood and in the classroom.