2000s Fashion in ‘Tell Me Lies’
2000s Fashion in ‘Tell Me Lies’
By MacKenna Sherer — February 26, 2026
The early 2000s were a time for innovative fashion: low-rise jeans, calf-high Ugg boots, and layered camisoles stretched across college campuses everywhere. Hulu’s television series “Tell Me Lies” has taken the internet by storm, captivating viewers with not just toxic manipulators (I’m looking at you, Stephen DeMarco), but also with its nostalgic, Y2K style.
Whether you’re a Millennial reminiscing on your own college experience or an early 2000s baby who grew up with these trends, this one is for you. As the finale of Season 3 brings the story to a close, let’s dive deeper into how the fashion in ‘Tell Me Lies’ brings depth to the aesthetic and characters that everyone has been obsessed with.
Beyond the messy love triangles and mysterious deaths of Season 1, we get pretty well acquainted with freshman student Lucy Albright, played by Grace Van Patten, at Baird College.
Season 1 takes place in 2008, and Lucy’s outfits reflect her character in a softer, understated way: denim bootcut jeans, basic long sleeves and cardigans, and fitted lace tanks are styled with simple makeup and accessories. Her outfits emphasize her emotional innocence at the start of college, creating a “girl next door” mood. In other words, before she enters a toxic relationship with Stephen DeMarco and joins a friend group that loves to tell each other lies.
Lucy’s character development (and trauma) in Season 3 causes her style to contrast dramatically as she embraces darker color concepts, the skinny jean and heeled boot combo, and fur-trimmed leather jackets in a 2000s cool-girl style.
Beyond Lucy’s evolving identity in the show, the other girls of the group also accurately capture Y2K fashion through their distinct personal styles. Best friends Bree and Pippa each bring a unique personality and fashion perspective to the trio.
With a bubbly personality and girly style, Bree introduces a unique feminine energy to the show. She is often seen layered in floral and polka dot prints, accessories such as braided headbands and infinity scarves, and tights paired with mini skirts.
Pippa’s our grunge, alt-girl of the group. Besides her fierce personality and dedication to constantly changing her hairstyle, Pippa embraces the edgier side of 2000s fashion with lots of leather, corset tops, chunky jewelry, and statement purses.
“Tell Me Lies” costume designer, Charlotte Svenson (@Charraqisven) has given fans a closer glimpse of the friend group’s unique costuming through her social media. Ranging from glamorous party outfits to everyday campus clothes, Svenson has truly dedicated her time to perfecting each character’s vibe.
The fashion choices in “Tell Me Lies” are a lot more than just nostalgic throwbacks; they’re storytelling choices that reflect the messiness and bad choices that come with early adulthood.
By effortlessly blending 2000s pieces with modern styling, it’s no surprise fans continue to obsess over the costuming throughout the series. There’s no denying that the characters in “Tell Me Lies” have some of the most unforgettable wardrobes on television right now.
We’d kill to have some of those iconic pieces in our closet, but spoiler alert: Stephen already beat us to that one.
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