Television has always influenced fashion. But in the streaming era, the relationship between what we watch and what we wear has become something else entirely. Characters no longer just reflect trends – they create them, drive them, and send entire aesthetics viral overnight. These four OTT actors have done exactly. That stepping so completely into their characters that their on-screen wardrobes have made them genuine fashion icons in their own right.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan As Devi In Never Have I Ever
When Never Have I Ever first landed on Netflix, nobody expected a coming-of-age high school comedy to become a fashion conversation. And then Devi Vishwakumar walked on screen – and everything changed. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan brought an effortlessly relatable energy to Devi’s wardrobe. Mixing bold prints, vibrant colours, and quintessentially Indian-American styling that felt genuinely fresh and completely unfiltered.
Devi’s ability to dress to impress without ever feeling like she was trying too hard made her an instant style. Reference for a generation of young viewers who saw themselves reflected on screen for the first time. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s off-screen style has only amplified this – consistently bold, confident, and completely her own.
Mika Abdalla As Allie In Off Campus
Off Campus introduced audiences to Allie – and to Mika Abdalla’s extraordinary ability to make campus fashion feel genuinely aspirational. Allie’s wardrobe is a masterclass in elevated everyday dressing. The kind of effortless, put-together style that makes you immediately want to rebuild your entire wardrobe from scratch.
Mika Abdalla brings a cool, considered energy to Allie’s looks that has made her one of the most talked-about style references on BookTok and beyond. Layered pieces, understated colour palettes, and an innate ability to make casual dressing feel intentional – Allie’s wardrobe is the ultimate dress to impress template for the college generation.
Anna Cathcart As Kitty In XO Kitty
If Kitty Song Covey taught us anything, it is that maximalism and joy are not mutually exclusive in fashion. Anna Cathcart brought an infectious, playful energy to Kitty’s wardrobe across both seasons of XO Kitty – mixing Korean street style influences with a bold, colourful aesthetic that has made her one of the most influential young fashion icons on streaming right now.
Anna Cathcart’s ability to make every outfit feel like a genuine celebration of personal style. Has resonated deeply with a young global audience hungry for fashion that feels fun, fearless, and completely authentic. Her off-screen style carries the same joyful, maximalist energy – and her fashion influence continues to grow with every new episode.
Lily Collins As Emily In Emily In Paris
If there is one character who has single-handedly redefined what it means to be a fashion icon in the streaming era, it is Emily Cooper. Lily Collins’ portrayal of the endlessly optimistic, impossibly stylish American in Paris has generated more fashion conversation than almost any other character in recent television history.
Who is a fashion icon in the OTT world? The answer, for millions of viewers globally, is Emily Cooper. From Chanel berets to bold colour blocking. From statement coats to impossibly chic Parisian layering, Emily’s wardrobe is a masterclass in dress to impress dressing that somehow manages to feel both aspirational and completely wearable. Lily Collins brings an authenticity to Emily’s style that makes every look feel genuinely considered rather than costumed – and that is precisely what has made her the defining fashion icon of the streaming generation.
The Verdict
What unites Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Mika Abdalla, Anna Cathcart, and Lily Collins is something beyond great costume design or memorable outfits. Each of them has brought a personal authenticity to their character’s wardrobe that has made their style feel real, aspirational, and deeply influential. In the streaming era, the most powerful fashion icons are not on runways or red carpets. They are on your screen, in your favourite show, making you pause the episode to screenshot an outfit. And that is a cultural shift that is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. This article does not constitute professional advice of any kind.
