The Harbinger of Cassie’s Breakdown on ‘Euphoria’? Her Matching Outfits

Cassie’s eruption is a time in the earning. Immediately after hooking up with Nate, who is her ideal pal Maddy’s (Alexa Demie) abusive ex, she becomes obsessed with getting him to like her—so considerably so that she’ll wake up at 4 a.m. to beautify herself, a process which involves hrs of ice rolling her face and curling her hair. When she eventually gets Nate’s consideration, if not passion, she morphs into Maddy lite. Her wavy hair gets to be pin straight, her eye make-up dark and vampy, her wardrobe an limitless collection of navel-grazing and thigh-skimming two-piece sets—and the garments are by much the eeriest sign of her demise.

Matching sets and flashy satisfies are an uncomplicated, impactful shorthand for the queen bee. Believe of Cher Horowitz in Clueless, Hilary Banking companies from The Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air, the titular Heathers, and Courtney in Jawbreaker. They ruled their kingdoms in coordinated outfits, a quick sartorial reminder that they had their existence together—or at the very least they needed you to think that they did. In year a single of Euphoria, Maddy wears everything from a rainbow Louis Vuitton crop leading and leggings to that purple bra and cutout flares to a sweet lilac skirt-and-sweater set for college. Costume designer Heidi Bivens told me in 2019, “We definitely decided from the starting that we wanted her to use sets, that would be a matter for her.” Even as her lifestyle spiraled, her outfits generally matched.

Lower to period two. Maddy is sort of, type of, contemplating of acquiring back jointly with Nate, unaware that Cassie is shedding her head (and probably the top layer of her pores and skin) over successful his affections. “I think what you see her hoping to emulate is what she needs she was, and so a lot more than a good deal of the other figures, I come to feel like Cassie’s garments are a costume,” Bivens informed Vogue at the start of the time. “She’s nonetheless trying to figure out how to present herself to the globe, and I consider so significantly of what she does and how she attire is about seeking to be liked.”

Cassie tries a bunch of diverse appears, which include a floral minidress and big hair that make her close friends consider she’s making an attempt out for Oklahoma. Since Cassie’s tactic to model is so wrapped up with conventional gender roles (she practically completely wears little one blue and pink), it can take her a whilst to get to what Nate wants. She finally will get a 2nd glance from Nate when she walks into faculty in Y2K-impressed turquoise flared pants and a matching lengthy-sleeve ruched crop prime. She has sculpted edges and is carrying a tiny purse. Maddy walks up to Cassie carrying the exact similar detail in lilac. What Nate desires is Maddy.