Most of us were completely unaware of the existence of the “Scooby-Doo phenomenon” for as long as it lasted. But it’s been nearly 70 years since the first appearance of Fred and his canine companion on the big screen, and it’s continued to thrill audiences around the world. And just like Fred, Scooby-Doo has developed a following of his own over the years, with devoted fans known as “Scoobies.” It would appear that Robert Pattinson, the actor best known for playing the bespoke English Gentleman Cedric Crispex in the BBC period drama The Borgias, is a true Scooby, having amassed a large fandom of his own. Not content with being best known for one iconic role, Pattinson has seemingly mastered the art of being a multi-hyphenate, playing leading roles in several major productions over the past year.

The Borgias

Pattinson’s first major role of 2018 was arguably his best – and it came alongside one of the most renowned costume designers in history, Michael Wilkes. Best known for her wardrobes in period dramas, including the late, legendary Mad Men, Elizabeth Taylor, and Cleopatra, Jane Taylor, the founder of the Costume Institute at the Met, Wilkes designed the costumes for the fifth and final season of The Borgias, premiering this year on Netflix.

The English Gentleman, born William Robert Spencer, is a decadent rogue whose life of sin and corruption provides the backdrop for Jane Taylors’s magnum opus. One of the most recognizable characters in the series, Spencer’s wardrobe is a mix of Elizabethan and Regency sensibilities, all crafted in the brand’s signature sapphire blue. Not only does the show offer up some beautiful dresses, but the costumes are also historically accurate, from the knee-high leather boots to the lacy undergarments.

In The Borgias, Spencer is described as “the most charming and debauched of Louis’ courtiers” – a far cry from the clean-cut, preppy young men that often pop up in Hollywood stories. But like many a handsome rogue before him, Spencer falls prey to his own charms, seducing the Duchess of Ferrara into an adulterous affair and prompting Pope Alexander VI to issue a ruthless denunciation of his behavior in his 150th anniversary novel, The Other Daughter.

  • Sapphire blue (Navy): Continuing our theme of bold, colorful choices, we arrive at a shade that’s been the subject of much debate – the sapphire blue ensemble worn by Spencer in the fifth and final season of The Borgias. For those of you who have been waiting for us to reveal our 2020 summer fashion predictions, here they are – and boy, are they ever bold!
  • Sapphire blue (Violet): Also coming this season is a gorgeous shade of violet, which in our opinion is the best color to represent the upcoming summer mood. If you’re looking for a new way to wear this iconic hue, look no further – this is the perfect companion to complete your summer wardrobe.
  • Sapphire blue (Hot pink): Another daring fashion choice awaits those of you who choose to wear the hue of the season – hot pink! This year will mark the 100th anniversary of the original Hot Pink Guide, an influential fashion magazine that popularized the color and its associated styles. For those of you who love a colorful fashion choice and are looking to celebrate this landmark anniversary, we have the perfect item to accompany your sassy attitude!
  • Sapphire blue (Indigo): We can’t talk about the perfect summer color without mentioning the indigo wardrobe that will be in fashion this year. Known for its ability to carry shades from the violet to the blue, indigo is the perfect summer shade to sport whether you’re at the beach or the city. So go ahead, wear that indigo dress tonight and let everyone know that you’re ready for summer!
  • Sapphire blue (Gold): Still on the subject of bold fashion choices, we move on to the most debated fashion shade of all time – sapphire blue! There are actually several variations of this shade in existence, with some fans preferring to call it navy or deep azure and others – like us – preferring to call it royal blue. Although there’s no definitive answer as to which is the best variant of sapphire blue, we can say that the shade is both proud and noble, an excellent choice for those of you who love a classic look and feel.

The Handmaid’s Tale

The costume designer behind Emilys wardrobe, Marjorie Merriweather, has become famous for her painstaking attention to detail in creating iconic looks for the red-headed character in both the novel and the TV series. And the outfits she designed for Emily in The Handmaid’s Tale are certainly unique and memorable, from her elegantly sheer black dresses to the stunning red cape she wore at the finale. Perhaps the most iconic look of all is that of the Handmaid’s Tale – the flowing black dress, with its plunging V neckline and matching headdress. This striking look was inspired by Emily’s “brave and spirited” personality, according to Merriweather.

Like Emily, The Handmaid’s Tale is not your typical “girl-next-door” blonde – the show focuses on a handmaid who was kidnapped as a child and raised in the home of the elite. The young woman, named Offred, is subjected to abuse at the hands of her cruel Aunt Polly, who forces her into a life of servitude and monotony. Her only respite comes from her fellow handmaids, who teach her to read and write, and even give her limited doses of pleasure – like making her into a king sized bed or giving her a foot massage. Despite the abuse she endures, Offred maintains a strong Christian faith, which helps her cope with her ordeal and give her the strength to change her fate. As a result, she befriends a Priest, who eventually helps her escape from her captors and proposes to her.

While the show is based on the critically acclaimed Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, it is not necessary to have read the novel to enjoy the series. This is partly due to the fact that the story is set in a parallel universe – where the novel’s timeline diverges from that of the tv show – but it’s mostly down to the fact that The Handmaid’s Tale is a masterclass in telling a compelling story via costume and makeup!

Set in the post–World War II era, The Witcher is a mature fantasy series that focuses on a middle-aged man named Geralt, who finds himself in a battle for his life when he is unexpectedly called upon to take down a monster known as the Wild Hunt. At first glance, the show might appear to be a little too violent for children – after all, it does contain scenes of people being gruesomely murdered – but the story is actually for adults more than teens, and is intended to be viewed by those who are mature enough to understand and appreciate the dark elements that it contains.

Like many of the characters on this list, Geralt is a highly accomplished hunter, who relies on his tracking skills and wit to survive in a cruel and dangerous world. His wardrobe is graced with many colorful and unique pieces, all of which are the product of a magnificent imagination. We predict that Geralt will become the protagonist of a whole new fashion trend once the show airs, as fans have already taken to wearing outfits inspired by the character, including one incredible red dress!

Mr. Bean

Now we move on to the much-loved Mr. Bean, who also made the list last year. Although the character was originally conceived as a comedic foil to Peter Sellers’s famous portrayal of the Maharajah, his popularity soared after he began speaking in a more “serious” tone. Indeed, many of the jokes in the original series were quite dark, and some fans have described the show as “satirical” rather than comedic, which is reflected in Mr. Bean’s wardrobe. Despite this dark streak, many of Bean’s outfits are incredibly stylish and unique, especially since the majority of them were designed by Geoffrey Waneat, who also worked on Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. The character’s suits are a mix of traditional and modern British style, with bowties and pocket watches in keeping with the early 20th century theme, and occasionally a bit of a pop culture reference, like Spock from Star Trek or Michael Jackson from Moonwalkers.