“Ahh, duh”
Hilary Banks, the eldest of the Banks clique, (played by actress Karyn Parsons), was depicted as the snobbishly swank original ‘daddy’s girl’ actively involved in shallow activities unless, in fact, she was out somewhere saving trees as an environmental activist.
During takes of Will being Will and Carlton jamming to classic tunes a la Tom Jones, cousin Hil’ was spied bopping into the family room dripped in swank Bel-Air fashions reminiscent of everything that was the ’90s; from her padded shoulder blazers to her boisterous brown ringlets topped off with a hat, to the vibrant hues splashed across her twinning skirt suits.
Not to mention when it came to accessories Hilary skillfully embellished her ensembles like pro, as she embraced bold gold links, signature Chanel chain bags, and of course, a tailored bowler hat in every color.
Hilary showed us that there’s levels to this – that it’s not all about being wealthy, trend-obsessed, and decked in luxe designs, but schooled us by donning the timeless pieces that we still cling onto in our closets today.
Break out your Lisa Frank notebooks and feather topped glitter pens and take note, as we journey down memory lane to highlight the stylish pieces as illustrated via Ms. Hilary Banks that fashion aficionados still adore in modern times.
The Oversized Blazer
Well before Cher and Dionne served up blazers Beverly Hills style, Hilary Banks Bel-Air’d the enduring wardrobe staple per techniques of her own. Hilary’s blazer mannerisms included shoulder pads, an array of Crayola colors including crimsons and royal blues – often magnified with double-breasted gold buttons. Either way, the American Express abuser pulled off the oversized blazer with ease. In 2013, you too can wear this item alongside a white button-up, basic denim jeans, or with a basic body-con skirt (similar to the ’90s TV icon).
Gold, Gold & More GOLD
As the early ’90s were ridden with gold Versace, Versace, Versace – everything, Hilary was no exception to the rule as she carried on trends like it was tradition. The woman worked the bold jewelry from head to toe; sporting large gold double C clip-on’s, chain linked gold hip belts, and the aforementioned gold lined blazer buttons. Fast forwarding to modern times, the celeb likes of Angela Simmons and Wiz Khalifa have been spotting wearing the ’80s and ’90s-inspired gold creations courtesy of Melody Ehsani.
The Bowler Hat
The ’90s answered the call from the 1920s for the re-emergence of the menswear staple of the Bowler Hat. And from what we can see, Hilary was likely on that 3-way call. It was rare that Hilary waltzed into a room without a hat atop her head that matched her outfit ever so perfectly. And who could forget the premiere episode in which Hilary asked her dad for $300 and for what? A new hat. Moving forward to 2013, Queen Bey was spotted rocking a Bowler hat as she exited a Toronto cafe. And with the ’90s resurgence making way into the trend market, we’re certain you’ll soon be spotted with one too.
Chanel-Inspired Quilted Bags
The long gold linked, daintily quilted Chanel purse will never go out of style in our eyes. As Hilary toted hers with affluence and ease, we often still wonder what she carted around in her classic bag. Perhaps a few of daddy’s credit cards?
As an ode to Hilary Banks and her inevitable swank hipster style, steal a glimpse at our Banks-inspired look:
And like that, you’ve been schooled.
