The sun beats down on the palmtree-lined hills of Los Angeles. The year is 1981. In the backdrop of Bel Air’s big, beautiful, empty houses, where rich kids roam free, lies the stench of the Trawler’s mutilated victims. Ryan Murphy’s new series, The Shards, presents us a thriller through the saturated lives of prep-school-going, polo-wearing children of the elite. The series gives us iconic 80s looks that are bringing back a yearning for purposeful, tailored, high class style. 

Meet our teens:

Bret Easten Ellis, played by Igby Rigney, the show’s protagonist and narrator. A Joan Didion obsessed young writer and closeted homosexual – it’s the 80s. He opens the show in, as he tells it, “Ralph Lauren, brown, with a touch of white and grey stripes and Calvin Klein jeans with Gucci loafers” (Murphy). He wears his school uniform perfectly steamed, with a shirt and belt so tight, it’s as if you can make out the sculptings of Michelangelo’s David. Ellis has not only the voice, but the look of an American classic. 

Kaia Gerber brings to life Susan Reynolds, our high school sweetheart. In episode one, she shows up in a tight knit, mauve, plunging v-neck sweater to accentuate her broad shoulders. Her movement is restricted by the high-waisted, dark wash, denim jeans that hug her figure and elongate her silhouette. To finish the “casually beautiful” look, a brown leather belt with gold detailing snatches her waist. Everything about her is carefully tailored to look effortless, giving academia a new subtly sultry spin.

Debbie Reynolds, played by Hayes Warner, is the most spoiled of the rich. In equestrian chic during the day and a pink, disco lamé corset at night, Debbie brings traces of 1970s glamour into the 80s. Her pillowy, platinum blond hair contrasts perfectly with her glossy red lip. In Debbie, we see an intoxicating presence that every teen girl either dreams or is afraid of.  

Robert Mallory is played by none other than Homer Gere. Think American Gigolo – it ain’t that hard. In episode four, “Robert’s Party”, he takes over the dance floor in slicked-back hair, black leather pants, and an unbuttoned silk shirt. His costumes contrast the preppy look of the others and build up the mystery and intrigue around his character. 

As much as we love our teens, it would be cruel not to mention Stephen, played by the dazzling Jordan Roth and arguably the show’s most fashionable character. His two-toned hair pulls from Andy Warhol, giving him a sickly fabulous persona. A gender-bender, he shows up in a myriad of iconic looks with that striking, Ziggy Stardust quality. We are introduced to him in a red leather jumpsuit, cinched at the waist, and bold shoulder pads that bring about fierce, angular features just like his character. 

It is easy to say that the show’s costume designers, Lou Eyrich and Joshua Marsh, knew what they were doing, infusing the traditional old money dress with sex appeal that caters to a modern audience. They have accomplished turning an adaptation into a must watch thriller where enigma follows every character. Now the real question is, will we be seeing these teens on October’s night of horror? Only time will tell.