5 reasons why Normal People is the most stylish TV show of the year

Normal People is up for four Emmy Awards, with Irish actor Paul Mescal nominated for lead actor in a limited series or movie, for his portrayal of Connell Waldron.

The BBC series also received nominations in the directing, writing and casting categories, but given it brought us some of the most covetable on-screen outfits we’ve seen in years, we’d put it up for costume awards too.

The complicated love story of Marianne (played by Daisy Edgar Jones) and Connell was made all the more compelling by how aesthetically pleasing the series was, with fans lusting after Marianne’s clothes – and a certain accessory of Connell’s – as much as the characters.

Here’s why Normal People is a fashion tour de force…

The classic black dress

Dreaming of eating gelato in a piazza after a long bike ride through the Italian countryside. #NormalPeople pic.twitter.com/gz4pPZT5Wr

— Conversations with Friends (@cwfbbc) May 20, 2020

Arguably the most stylish episode saw Marianne, Connell and friends decamp to an Italian villa for a sun-drenched (but somewhat disastrous) holiday.

We saw Marianne in a variety of vintage-inspired summer looks, including a stunning strappy black broderie anglaise midi dress. As soon as the episode aired, fans went wild trying to find out where the dress was from (the mystery was never definitively solved) and there was a spike in searches for ‘Marianne black dress’ online.

The knitwear

“We see the world in a similar way. We’ve lived our life in the same place” – Connell #NormalPeople pic.twitter.com/ih7Yex3809

— Conversations with Friends (@cwfbbc) July 26, 2020

As much as we loved all the warm-weather style in Normal People, the episodes set in winter had us longing for chilly days when we can wrap up in cosy knitwear. Both Connell and Marianne sported some gloriously chunky sweaters, almost twinning in one episode with their ribbed jumpers.

The blouses

On a scale of constantly weeping to cutting your own bangs, how is everyone feeling today? ✂️ #NormalPeople pic.twitter.com/s2lZpIz84T

— Normal People (@normalpeople) May 5, 2020

When she goes to university in Dublin, Marianne adopts a grown-up but preppy look that involves a lot of beautiful blouses paired with her trademark dangly earrings.

From stripey retro-inspired shirts to polka dot prints and a gorgeous cream pussy-bow number, they made us want to ditch our loungewear and dress up again.

The party dresses

We want to see your #MariannesBangs! Send us your selfies below. You are not alone! 😙 #NormalPeople pic.twitter.com/LAOWv1EVzK

— Normal People (@normalpeople) May 13, 2020

What with all the parties and nights out, Marianne showed off some seriously cool after-dark ensembles throughout the series.

Our favourite? It’s got to be the shimmering silver halter neck from the nightclub scene in episode 11, which she teamed with a choker necklace and – what else? – a pair of dangly earrings.

Connell’s chain

Warning: May cause extreme thirst. 💦 #NormalPeople #ConnellsChain pic.twitter.com/FL7GnmOUlW

— Normal People (@normalpeople) May 16, 2020

Who would have thought one man and his necklace could cause such an outpouring of adoration?

Viewers are so obsessed with Connell’s silver chain that a fan Instagram account devoted to showcasing it now has 187,000 followers – that’s 50,000 more than the official BBC Normal People account.

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