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The new season of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s Monster anthology has garnered more viewers and controversy than any Netflix series since the first installment of the series (2022’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story). The controversy surrounding Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’s handling of Lyle and Erik Menendez’s trials and their aftermath has raised important questions about the way we tell stories about real, living subjects in ways that are both responsible and entertaining.
A huge piece of what makes this show’s reexamining of the world famous, much sensationalized trials of the Menendez brothers feel grounded and emotionally compelling are Monsters fantastic period costumes. From preppy letterman jackets to flashy watches, so much of the show’s characters and world are built through the way that characters dress. It’s a fantastic example of how careful research can turn a campy time period like the late 80s into a world with thrilling stakes and deep emotions.
If you, like us, are binging Netflix’s latest hit series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, here are some of our favorite looks from the show:
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Appropriate to the era that brought us iconic sunglasses looks like Risky Business, Monsters is full of scenes where the two brothers wear shades. Are you more of a classic Wayfarer wearer or do you go for a little more flash in a blingy aviator? Either way, you can’t go wrong with a pair of iconic Ray Bans, which at this point are available in pretty much every style imaginable.
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Another period-accurate classic – the ubiquitous Lacoste Oxford button up. With the recent resurgence in preppy and stealth wealth trends, Lacoste shirts are extremely on trend. This light pink color, similar to the Lacoste button up seen in the show, is flattering, a little androgynous, and easy to pair with jeans or slacks.
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It wouldn’t be a show about the late ‘80s and early ‘90s without some classic stonewashed jeans. You really can’t go wrong with Levi’s 501s – they’re a classic for a reason. We love that Levi’s are now taking the guesswork out of shopping for jeans online by specifying whether the material is no, low, or high stretch. For an authentic period look, we’d opt for the no stretch version. After a little breaking in, they’ll fit you like a glove.
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The brothers’ athletic background spills into their accessorizing. This iconic Casio is both a classic of the period and extremely durable, a retro alternative to toting around an Apple Watch.
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The period setting of Monsters coincides with the birth of modern American athleisure. This update on Tacchini’s 80s tracksuit is a perfect take on the era’s color-blocking trend.
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Possibly our favorite look from the show, this Euro spin on the classic American varsity sweater is as stylish today as it would’ve been 30 years ago when the style was at its peak. We love the cuff detailing and subtle blink-and-you-miss it Lacoste crocodile logo at the bottom hem. Especially appropriate if (like Lyle) your name starts with an L.
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And, of course, no preppy outfit is complete without a Ralph Lauren polo with a popped collar. A decades-strong American staple for a reason (which comes in prep-tastic colors like “Andover Heather”), the Ralph Lauren polo is a unisex winner, slim fit and breathable.
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If you’ve been digging the Monsters: The Eric and Lyle Menendez Story’s period-accurate costumes, shop our style guide for Netflix’s latest Ryan Murphy hit.
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