Let The Most Stylish TV Characters Be Your Fall 2026 Outfit Inspo

When it comes to fall fashion, jackets, layers, and having fun with your style are key. And while there are fall 2026 fashion trends you should have on your radar, curating your signature fall style is all about finding inspiration in everything you love, for example, your favorite TV shows. Of course, runways and designers tend to set the tone, but fashion is so much more than just copying what is popular now. A great source of inspiration is undeniably television series that have defined trends throughout the decades.

From Blair Waldorf to Carrie Bradshaw, some of the most fashionable on-screen characters have given us incredible fall looks, and recreating them is easier than you think. Do you have to have the exact item that they were wearing? Absolutely not. Fashion inspiration is all about making a look your own, and if you can use items you already have in your closet — even better. Whether you want to learn how to transition your summer pieces into fall or you're ready to mix and match like never before, here are 10 on-screen looks that can easily be a part of your fall fashion repertoire!

When it comes to shows that feel like fall, there is no doubt that "Gilmore Girls" is among the ones that instantly come to mind. Lorelai Gilmore is a character we continue to look up to for cozy yet stylish looks, and this black and gray fit is definitely among her most memorable ones. Lorelai paired a black mini dress and knee-length boots with a classic gray coat. To achieve the look, you can copy Lorelai's outfit or swap the gray coat for a scarf, depending on what you already own in your closet.

Just because a top is meant for warm days doesn't mean you can't layer it and rock it through fall, too. On "Tell Me Lies," Lucy Albright shows us just how stunning a silver sequin top looks under a fun fur jacket, transforming the daring piece into a fall statement. Dramatic tops like the one shown above are great year-round, and layering them with other statement pieces like jackets, coats, and blazers is where your own style can shine.

While there are plenty of iconic "Sex and the City" looks, a fall 'fit that works beautifully as a fashion template is Carrie Bradshaw's combination of a chunky and slightly oversized sweater and a mini skirt. In her case, the sweater was pink, and this skirt was bedazzled, showcasing that rocking a statement piece on top and bottom is ultra cool. Those who prefer a more minimalist fall look can tone the outfit down by pairing more muted colors. Still, a pink sweater is the choice we — and the iconic columnist — recommend for fall.

We've already seen some '70s fashion trends making a major comeback in recent years, and if you ask Daisy Jones, classic Afghan coats are a wardrobe staple. The dramatic jacket adds plenty of movement and shape to any outfit, and it works just as beautifully over skirts and dresses as it does over pants. Anyone spotted in the retro jacket instantly gains cool girl status, so why not give the fun '70s look from "Daisy Jones and the Six" a try this fall?

Not many characters on television rocked preppy fashion quite as effortlessly as Spencer Hastings from "Pretty Little Liars" did. Spencer always ensured her outfits were timeless and the opposite of boring. A blazer with a mini skirt was one of her go-to choices. Channeling a school uniform look for fall is always popular, but elevating and modernizing the look by opting for a plaid blazer and knee-high boots is the way to go. While Spence's blazer was in shades of brown, a fun red one can add a pop of color while creating the same preppy look.

Mabel Mora is definitely an on-screen character that many look up to for fashion. The "Only Murders in the Building" main character's outfits are certainly daring. If you want to inject your fall wardrobe with some color, mustard yellow and orange are great choices for the colder season that Mabel rocks beautifully. Of course, it's not surprising that Mabel is such a fashion-aware character, considering that the stunning style transformation of Selena Gomez shows that the actor knows plenty about having fun with fashion.

If you've wondered how to channel Emilycore for fall, the answer is to combine pieces you wouldn't necessarily think to style together. One Emily Cooper look from "Emily in Paris" that we absolutely adore for colder days is the combination of a leather jacket with a statement hat. While Emily — in true Parisian fashion — tends to go for a beret, you can swap it out for a pillbox hat or even a wide-brimmed one if that is more your style.

Some fashion items are made for just one season, and when it comes to poncho-like capes, fall is their time to shine. While the garment tends to add more style than warmth, it looks lovely worn over a dress on a warm fall day. Blair Waldorf from "Gossip Girl" styled hers over a mini dress and lace tights, but if you prefer a more streamlined look, you can go for a simple maxi dress underneath. Either way, the cape works beautifully with both maximalist and minimalist fashion styles.

If you're unsure how to style your favorite black leather jacket, we suggest looking to Elena Gilbert for inspiration. Known for her black leather jacket, Elena was all about pairing the closet staple with simple tops and jeans, allowing the jacket to be the focal point of the outfit. The best part about this fall look from "The Vampire Diaries" is that it is easy to recreate and never fails, as black leather jackets and jeans are truly timeless fashion pieces.

Finding ways to wear summer clothing on colder days provides a great way to rock your favorite pieces no matter the season. And when it comes to sleeveless summer dresses, a fun way to rock them into fall is by layering a long-sleeved top underneath. Rachel Green rocked the look numerous times on "Friends," and recreating it is as easy as pairing your favorite summer dress with a basic top underneath. If you want to take things up another level, a button-up adds a preppy dimension to the combination, instantly elevating the look.