Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'

The character, Buffy Summers, was born from Joss Whedon's idea to take the dumb, hot blonde horror trope and make the usual victim or damsel into the hero. Buffy, portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar, became the face of a new type of 90s-00s feminist: girly, while still being tough, smart, and witty. This girl wears red leather pants paired with a butterfly clip to the battle. 90s Slayer style is often a take on Courtney Love's famed kinderwhore look of a baby doll dress or crop top and short skirt matched with combat or knee high boots. Buffy's wardrobe brings out a little feminity in even the grungiest looks.

She spends most of the first four seasons, and the beginning of the fifth, wishing things were different, that she was a normal teenage girl. She fights her destiny constantly, but seeing the character growth from the season one finale, 'Prophecy Girl': where Buffy squeaks, "Giles, I'm sixteen years old. I don't want to die." to the season five finale, 'The Gift': where she doesn't hesitate to sacrifice her own life to save the world and the ones she loves in it. She risks everything daily and can't escape from her life. She could be killed at any moment, all a monster needs is one. good. day.

Buffy is often referred to as the 'slayer with friends', dubbed The Scooby Gang. They are her greatest assets, even next to her superhero-like strength. She drives home the message that: you can't do it alone; it's why the other slayers failed (when one dies, another is chosen). They all had a death wish, nothing to live for outside the endless battle i.e. life. Deep, right? Her relationships aren't all positive, of course. Her romantic relationships are often a battle within themselves, she wonders, in season four's 'Something Blue', if "real love and passion, goes hand in hand with pain and fighting."

Did I mention she does all of this while looking wicked stylish, with a witty catchphrase already forming on her lips, and a 90's trip hop song flowing in the background?

Today, we will recreate Buffy's first day of school outfit worn in 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' (S1E1):

The four important pieces to this look are:

Button-up Sweater over Tee Shirt. Plain and colored tee shirts are the simplest pieces, but the hardest to find. Luckily, shirts have many different cuts and lengths. When given a selection of assorted tops, not just one top in different sizes, you can start to understand how street style people look so good in their white tee. (That they probably paid $100 for at Rag and Bone). I suggest grabbing a bunch of tee shirts similar to the one you want and trying them all on. You will see how a higher or lower bottom hem hit your curves. The same goes for sleeve lengths. Make sure the sleeve length of your shirt is shorter than your button up cardigan. Button the top button to complete the look.

Short Pencil Mini Skirt. Maybe I'm just lucky but, every time I go to Goodwill they have a ton of mini-skirts. It seems to be all about finding one short enough, but not too short and in your size. This comes, again, with trial and error. Always plan a good amount of time to thrift. It should be leisurely. A little slit on the side is a bonus.

Hair Clasp. For hair accessories, especially 90's and basic ones: always check the Dollar Store. They have a pretty great selection and deals on deals.

Over the Knee Boots. These weren't thrifted. I always buy supportive shoes for walking all over New York, so I'm down to spend a little $ on them. Clarks now has cute, comfy kicks! Not just mom shoes! Check it out! Also, check your local TJMaxx or Marshall's for cheaper slightly outdated versions.

My Recreation: 

photo cred: Sarah Howard

The Breakdown:

Sweater: Goodwill - NYC - 23rd st. (Originally from JCrew)

Tee Shirt: Goodwill - NYC - 125 st. (Originally from Banana Republic)

Mini Skirt: Goodwill - Lexington, KY

Boots: Clarks USA 

Hairclip: Dollar Tree 

Slay-er. Chosen One. She who hangs out a lot in cemeteries.

If you want thrifting tips or how to measure yourself or a glossary of clothing cuts and styles or about the blog or about moi, then click the corresponding words above.