Euphoria Season 2: A Style Analysis

By Suhotra Tripathi

Ever since the euphoria season 2 finale aired last month, there are two things we can absolutely agree upon. First, one being Elliot’s song was a complete waste of time, and the second one being, outfits in this season are to die for. Throughout the course of its eight anxiety-packed episodes, we got some of the best serves in HBO history. 

Here is my take on the iconic looks created by Heidi Bivens for this season. 

Maddy

If I had to select one person to throw onto the runways of London Fashion Week, I’d pick Maddy. Maddy Perez lives and breathes confidence and what better way to show it off than a hip cut black dress and an over-the-top glitter-ridden eye look. The first glimpses we got of Maddy this season were at the new year’s eve party, where she sports the gloves and cut-out LBD combo by AKNA, and a stunning pair of Amina Muaddi heels. This look paired with the campy blue eye makeup makes it simple, the most iconic look of this season. 

Another one of Maddy’s most memorable moments this season was when she stepped out in that gorgeous vintage plum piece by Norman Norell. The Mermaid sequined gown had a storyline of its own this season. It came up several times during the season, including Lexi’s play, Maddy's babysitting job. Unfortunately, it also hinted at Maddy's departure from the show. The dress was a perfect ode towards Maddy’s glamorous personality and captured her old Hollywood essence ideally. 

Jules

Jules can be best described as a real-life anime character. Her style is very distinctive and interesting but it fits in well with the aesthetic of the show. Everything from her graphic makeup looks, her printed stockings, and the pastel streaks in her platinum hair contributes towards her vivid personality. Her style involves a penchant for layers and chokers. We saw her animated sailor moon style morph into something much edgier and campier towards the end of season one. In season two her hairstyle completely changed and we saw her in much more laid-back clothing, but it still retained that Kawaii edge that she developed in season one. 

If I had to pick Jules' most memorable look in season two, it would have to be the Charlotte Knowles fit she’s sporting in Elliot’s room, while chatting about Rue. Her outfit includes a graphic tie-dye biker top and a fitted black corseted dress with waist cutouts. All in all Jules's style is a major element to the show’s aesthetic, and I’m very excited to see what Heidi Bivens has in mind for Jules in the next season. 

Cassie

Cassie’s whole wardrobe has a storyline of its own this season. Her unhealthy infatuation towards Nate led her to give us one of the most iconic fashion montages in television history, her trying to morph herself into Maddy, so Nate would try paying more attention towards her. Her plan gradually seems to work but she also ends up looking like “a country music star” in Maddy’s words. And I totally agree with it, In that one shot where she was peeking from behind a locker door, with bangs and a glittery eye kind of made her look like Hannah Montana. Which was quite strange considering that she was going for more of a Maddy approach. 

Her style got weirder when she moved in with Nate, and he started dressing her. It became this weird combination of Maddy's and Jules' style, making Cassie Nate’s forbidden fantasy. 

My personal favorite look was the "Oklahoma!" one which led to euphoria's most hilarious scene ever. The look was a custom design by Seth Pratt, his inspiration being none other than the beloved Dolly Parton. This iconic look became an internet meme, even though Cassie was looking more gorgeous than ever.

Kat

This season we didn't get to see enough of Kat on our screens, but as minimal as her screen time might have been she absolutely killed it with the fits. Kat definitely found comfort in her body again and grew out of the whole latex dominatrix phase. This season we saw her sporting fun graphic tops, vintage t-shirts, and having cute elements in her makeup. Her style stood out on its own and seemed quite wearable for a high school student.

My favorite outfit of hers was that emerald Kim Shui number she sported, with a dark lip and a black skirt, while hanging out in the bowling alley, and my second favorite look of hers was the multicolored Aune' Collections dress she stylishly paired with the matching gloves and a simple winged liner. 

All in all, I am stunned by how Heidi Bivens can create a story with her styling. Outfits this season were done very well, even though there was nothing realistic about them, but again what is realistic about euphoria. It's kooky, it's camp, it's a Devil Wears Prada dream, and we love it.