How Wednesday Addams has yet again become a style icon.

“Wednesday is having a resurgence, becoming the daring gothic fashion icon we didn’t know we needed.”

By Meg J Gardner Published: Jan 9th 2023

Having racked up a total of 341 million viewing hours in its first week alone - while reaching No.1 on Netflix in over 83 countries AND the recent confirmation of a second series, it is no surprise that Wednesday is all anyone can talk about. 

The comedy-teen series, featuring 20 year-old Jenna Ortega as its leading name-sake, has renewed gothic fashion culture in a way no one could have imagined. Not only has the series dominated TikTok with that dance, the unique looks from the show are now spawning new fashion trends.

Since her tv-birth in the 1960s, Wednesday herself has been a gothic fashion icon – but arguably until recently, an out-dated one. However the series’s renewed modern day version, showing Wednesday in crisp white shirts with statement collars and chunky black alternative footwear- has (rather successfully) given the character a breath of new life, appealing to a new generation. 

With the great mind of Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood, the creators of the teen thriller have made Wednesday the ultimate poster girl for the digital subculture, ‘Dark Academia’, making her highly relatable to a younger audience. Emerging from the 2020 pandemic, the movement is known for romanticizing the reading of classical literature and studying of Greek philosophy. Wednesday’s penchant for satchels and typewriters makes her an easily identifiable and popular figurehead for the subculture. 

”Think Gothcore meets Dark Academia”

On the fashion front – her sense of style is perfectly eclectic. Despite adhering to a very strict color palette of black and white, Wednesday’s wardrobe is far from limited. By combining harsh and stark silhouettes with feminine and delicate fabrics, Wednesday has yet again become the daring gothic fashion icon we didn’t know we needed- think Gothcore meets Dark Academia. She has bought textured black & white check and stripes to the forefront of the industry. And let’s not forget about THAT dress… feminine Victorian mourning at its very best. The high-neck, with organza panelling made the ensemble the perfect combination of modest meets contemporary, with the layered lace skirt giving Alexander McQueen vibes. Side note- the dress itself is a vintage Alaïa and was actually found at an Alaïa store on Bond Street, London.

Despite the daring and alternative style choices throughout the show, both in Wednesday’s character, as well as others- like Enid’s contrasting bright and colorful style, it is fairly easy to see how we could translate these costumes into 21st century everyday fashion. From simple oversized smock dresses and chunky shoes to layering white shirts underneath absolutely everything - not forgetting knee high socks. With many brands now advertising a “Wednesday” inspired edit, we can make Wednesday Addams our fashion icon all year round – not just for Halloween.  

While her sharp-edged unsociable attitude endears her to us all, it is Wednesday’s refusal to conform with social norms and ignoring of all patriarchal stereotypes,  which ignites the inner rebel in all of us. Her spooky, kooky and somewhat creepy persona and iconic un-blinking Kubrick stare, paired with her unparalleled fashion sense make Wednesday Addams a truly iconic fashion figure (once again) and we can’t wait to see her wardrobe for Season 2! 

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