The Archies: The Vintage 60’s Outfits of the Stylish Town and Teenagers of Riverdale
It is hard enough putting your own spin on a well-known character, let alone one who has been around from the 1940’s, appearing in everything from their own comic books and radio shows to one of the biggest small screen adaptations in history with Riverdale. But that’s exactly what the cast of the Indian Hindi language, Netflix released, version of The Archies had to do.
Even if the 1960’s set live-action movie hasn’t impressed the critics with its banal script, if the fans know only one thing about the world of The Archies, then it is probably its timeless style, colorful costumes and nostalgic looks. With the new Zoya Akhtar movie using all those years of influence to create the real-stars of the show in the vintage and oh-so charming The Archie outfits, that fashionista’s haven’t been able to resist.
~The Girls and Their Archies Outfits~
For this all singing all dancing teen adaptation of The Archies, set in 1960’s Riverdale, costume designer Poornamrita Singh had to balance the vintage charm of The Archies outfits with the distinct comic book personalities of the characters. No doubt not an easy feat, with over 80 years of inspiration to work with for the sugary sweet Betty Cooper, stylish and rich Veronica Lodge and slightly eccentric Ethel Muggs.
Betty Cooper’s Girl-Next-Door The Archie Outfits
Betty Cooper, the role that has been made famous by Lili Reinhart’s portrayal of the comic book character in Riverdale, is the epitome of the kind hearted and sweet girl-next-door. With her 1960’s inspired The Archies outfits full of delicate floral prints, subtle checks and bold stripes, that reflect the fun and free-spirited side of her nature.
Yet although Riverdale’s costume department gave each of the female leads their own wardrobe color (find out about Betty’s here), this time around Betty doesn’t just stick to pastel shades, or soft pinks. Instead not afraid to add dark and moody modest black t-shirts and bold and bright orange midi-dresses to her wardrobe. Complimenting her softer cream embroidered blouses, pink checked wool trousers, paired with her simple flat pumps.
Betty and Veronica’s Stylish Knit Sweaters in The Archies
When it comes to the friendship between Betty and Veronica, opposites really do attract. Even when it comes to their wardrobes of knitted sweaters it would seem. With Betty opting for a softer, warmer navy blue and burnt orange spot patterned sweater with ribbed neckline and hem. While Veronica stays true to her glamorous side with a sleek form fitting, black turtleneck, that compliments her dark hair and bold eye make-up.
Veronica Lodge’s Chic and Classy ‘It Girl’ Wardrobe
Only resembling our Riverdale Veronica Lodge, played by Camila Mendes, in personality and confidence alone, the two rich ‘it girls’ wardrobes are very different indeed. With us used to dark jewel tones and slight figure hugging silhouettes from Veronica (read about them here) we now get to see a more classy and preppy vintage side to her with her The Archies outfits.
Plenty of tweeds and mini-dresses, like her burnt orange pinafore dress, as well as bold patterns make up her expensive and sophisticated designer wardrobe. A perk of being the heiress to the Lodge estate. With Veronica particularly reinforcing the 60’s charm of The Archies with her simple tweed blue shorts and patterned blouse that she wore to rollerblade (check out how her outfit compares to other skating outfits here) through her family’s mansion.
Tip: Check out Priscilla movie polka dot outfit.
Ethel’s Love of Prints and All Things Bright in The Archies
Although both Betty and Veronica have bold and distinctive fashion tastes, neither of them compares to the slightly eccentric and criminally underrated Ethel Muggs. A fan of all patterns and prints, and more than willing to wear them all at the same time, Ethel has her own fashion rules that she likes to stick to.
Whether it is ditsy all-over patterns on brightly colored dresses, or clashing printed blouses and vintage flowing skirts, nothing is complete in Ethel’s The Archie outfits without some knitwear. Her fuzzy mohair cardigans and knitted flower sweater vests, will attest to that, while reinforcing the up-and-coming hair stylists bubbly, loyal and sweet personality.
The Beautiful Vintage Party Dresses of Betty, Veronica and Ethel in The Archies
With The Archies technically being a band, with the charming Archie Andrews on lead vocals, it is no surprise then that the Riverdale teenagers find plenty of time for a party or two. Always looking for an opportunity to do their hair, make-up and get dressed up, Betty, Veronica and Ethel never disappoint. Whether it is exquisite full skirted dresses in expensive silks, satins and brocades, or more slinky brightly colored sequin embellished shift dresses the girls never put a stylish foot wrong.
~The Boys and Their Archies Outfits~
If the girls are the all dancing part of the Netflixs all singing all dancing teen movie, then Archie Andrews and the boys are the all singing part. Local heartthrobs, with their charm, wit and their stylish take on the unique The Archies outfits, it is no wonder the girls of Riverdale can barely tear their eyes away from them.
The Charming and Lovable Archie Andrews
What can you say about the Casanova that is the lead singer of The Archies, Archie Andrews. Well when it comes to fashion, as with love, he isn’t afraid to go bold, bright and make sure that he stands out from the rest of the crowd.
His The Archie outfits are a nice mix of formal plaid or simple black dress pants, paired with easy yet colorful knit sweaters or simple striped shirts. The louder and more extreme the better, when it comes to the yellows, and greens he loves to wear. With the laidback and statement pieces working wonders with his charming baby faced looks, personality and singing voice.
Jughead Jones Easygoing Wardrobe and Hats in The Archies
Never seen without some sort of hat, Jughead Jones is a lot less worried about fashion than he is about what he is going to eat next. Quite the foodie, something Ethel is using to her advantage, the quiet and easygoing drummer is terrified of girls and speaking to them. But that doesn’t stop them being drawn to his wardrobe of simple striped or checked shirts, wool pants and casual jackets, that he accessories with flat caps and beanies. While not forgetting his trademark color matched braces.
The smartest member of the group, Dilton is always there to keep the gang on the right path, come up with sensible suggestions and school the others when need be with his endless intelligence. The Archies, Netflix.
Just as likely to be found in his bedroom tinkering with one of his inventions, or immersing himself in the study of a new subject, Dilton in his The Archies outfits is the gang’s resident nerd. Yet Dilton could give Veronica a run for her money, when it comes to being the best dressed, especially with that vintage geeky look of his. From his rustic plaid blazers and complementary bow-ties to his abundance of sweater vests in all prints and patterns, Dilton has perfected his geeky look with the suave only a nerd could.
Reggie Mantle’s Effortless Charm and Rebellious Pretty Boy Looks in The Archies
Played by Charles Melton in teen drama Riverdale, who just recently starred in May December (which we’ve talked all about here), Reggie is the jokester of the group. But his stylish wardrobe of fitted polo shirts, edgy denim jeans and tough leather jackets over simple round neck white t-shirts, gives him more than a touch of that bad boy rock’n’roll vibe he is going for. Yet the rebellious outfits and his tousled black hair that somehow perfectly falls across his forehead, hides a much softer and more sensitive side, as well as a secret little crush on Veronica Lodge.
Even having to follow in the stylish and highly fashionable shoes of its predecessor Riverdale, The Archies with all of its singing, dancing, and perfect teenage cast of characters manages to hold its own. Allowing the 1960’s setting and the vintage wardrobe of The Archies outfits to draw us into a world that is as familiar as it is different. With a new sophisticated and exciting take on our favorite characters for us all to fall equally in love with.
