Throwback fashion can sometimes receive more flak than praise, but it’s on-screen style icons like Rachel Green from Friends — brilliantly played by Jennifer Aniston — that prove the ’90s and early ’00s were actually an iconic time for clothing. Whenever we reflect back on characters we’d like to emulate, the waitress turned buyer at Ralph Lauren is always at the top of our list. Whether she was rocking a basic white tee and a plaid skirt or a slip dress layered under a cardigan, Rachel always appeared effortlessly chic and put-together. It’s one of the reasons we’re still talking about her outfits decades later — over 20 years after the Friends finale.
This year, we’re taking a page out of Rachel Green’s book and upgrading our summer wardrobe to include timeless pieces that seamlessly move from laid-back to polished without a hitch. Read more to see which Rachel-inspired items we’re shopping in 2025, from graphic tees to colorful blazers and other must-haves.
15 Rachel Green-Inspired Essentials
1. Underrated Denim: Rachel Green was an overall queen! She rocked the comfortable (and surprisingly stylish!) denim essential on more than one occasion, and this Free People pick is definitely something she’d have in her wardrobe.
2. Basic White Tee: While we loved seeing Rachel making fierce fashion statements, it was when she wore casual basics that we truly appreciated her effortless style. The character loved a simple white tee, styling the everyday essential with jeans or layering it under vests and blazers.
3. Throwback Sandal: The ‘90s gave us the iconic chunky black sandal, and luckily for us, this trend is still alive and well. From Rachel Green to Carrie Bradshaw, leading ladies loved this statement-making shoe, which you can add to your own collection for just $31.
4. Graphic Tee: If you’re really going for that enduring Y2K energy, don’t ignore this classic Gap T-shirt. The timeless, $10 graphic tee is as much a staple now as it was back in the day!
5. Cute Capris: Although she worked for Ralph Lauren, Rachel liked to keep things simple out of the office with cargo pants and capris. And believe us when we say that, like the character, you’ll fall in love with Lee’s pocket-packed version.
6. Slip It On: Whether for date nights or everyday wear, Rachel shined whenever she slipped on a slip dress. We can certainly envision her owning this elegant, on-sale hunter green option that we’re adding to our carts ASAP.
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7. Linen Luxe: Whenever she hung out with the gang at her apartment, Ross Geller’s on-again, off-again love interest had a tendency to sport loose track pants and loungewear. Duyang’s khaki-colored linen pair is peak relaxed-chic — something Rachel would wear with well-deserved confidence and ease.
8. Vacation Fits: Believe it or not, this character had an affinity for tropical prints, especially during the summer and vacation getaways. That’s why we can easily imagine her investing in an affordable tropical maxi dress from Lost + Wander, which features a sultry side slit and an open back.
9. LBD: The little black dress is a capsule-collection must-have and something Rachel wore on the regular. Whether dressing up or down, LBDs were her go-to for timeless elegance, and this ’90s-inspired, button-up mini would fit right in with her rotation.
10. A Peek of Skin: In the early seasons, Rachel wore a handful of knotted shirts, looking effortlessly stylish while doing so. We plan to follow her lead this spring with a cropped denim design that shoppers say is “so versatile.”
11. Everything Plaid: If there was one pattern that Rachel coveted most, it was plaid — especially when it came to workwear. While it’s not exactly a summer print, Abercrombie’s Sienna Mini Skort gives it a lightweight, warm-weather spin. This piece will pair with a T-shirt now and sneakers now, but still work with a button-up and boots come fall.
12. Finishing Touch: Just Google Rachel Green and you’ll spot a sea of cardigans. While the sweltering summer months are a bit too hot for knits, you can always choose a short-sleeve alternative, like this bestselling, well-reviewed Amazon option.
13. Designer Shirt Dress: The mom of one had a lot of fun playing around with menswear staples, so we know she would have coveted this fitted, button-up shirt dress from Ralph Lauren — a brand she just so happened to work for!
14. Blazer Emboldened: It’s rare you’ll go an episode without seeing Rachel in a blazer of some kind. The stylish New Yorker transitioned this piece from professional attire to everyday wear with ease, and we’re confident Cicy Bell’s colorful pastel pick would have been her summer go-to.
15. Classic and Chic: White button-downs are always “in,” and while there are a variety of styles to choose from, Rachel usually went with something tailored and fitted. This slim-fit, button-down blouse is one that the character would have likely paired with a miniskirt or sleek dress pants.
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