#WCW TV Style Muse: Mr.Robot‘s Darlene Alderson
This week, we’re launching a new column where we’ll be celebrating the signature style of the most badass female characters in TV and film. For our inaugural column, our #WCW style icon is Mr. Robot‘s Darlene Alderson (played by Carly Chaikin), the anti-establishment hacker who runs FSociety in Elliot’s absence, makes contact with the Dark Army, and plans some of the group’s riskiest escapades (including hacking he FBI). Darlene’s unique aesthetic fuses together grunge, punk, Bohemian, and urban elements for a look that’s a little bit Courtney Love and a little bit Penny Lane, with a touch rave kid attitude. Throughout both of the show’s seasons, viewers see Darlene rocking shorts — often with knee-high socks or over tights — and pairing them with loose-fitting sweaters, graphic T-shirts, or chambray button-downs, then topping off her ensembles with textured varsity jackets, patch-heavy parkas, and bomber jackets. Her accessories, meanwhile, add some fun to the mix — whether it’s her heart-shaped shades, her many rings, or her hefty platform boots.
Below, check out some fashion finds that capture Darlene’s aesthetic and her fight-the-power ideology.
Zara Oversized Bomber Jacket, $149. Available at Zara.com
Make no mistake: being a part of FSociety requires not only developing unrivaled hacking skills but also having the discipline and courage to upend the capitalist order, to topple the economy in an attempt to create a more level playing ground. And, if you plan on getting away with it, you must possess the discretion to leave no trace of your handiwork. It’s not unlike being part of a military outfit — after all, this rag-tag team is planning its own type of revolution — which might explain Darlene’s fondness for bomber jackets, military-inspired parkas, and field jackets. The playful patches on this silver-colored bomber add a kitsch-y twist to the classic fighter pilot-inspired silhouette.
T.U.K. Footwear Black Skull & Roses Ealing Boot, $105. Available at TUKshoes.com
Darlene doesn’t do dainty — especially when it comes to footwear. She typically wear ankle-high or knee-high boots with audacious platforms and lug soles. Given her love of skull motifs, these seem like the perfect addition to her shoe rotation.
Natalie B Bow and Arrow Cuff, $26. Available at Revolve.com
Whether she’s wearing open-ended bangles or chunky cuffs, Darlene has a penchant for silver jewelry with deep grooves and etchings. The arrow shapes carved into this cuff bracelet, along with the raised rope details, create a Bohemian effect that seems fitting for Darlene as it’s through her accessories that she channels her more playful and free-spirited side.
Abercrombie & Fitch Drapey Plaid Button Up Shirt, $17.60. Available at Abercrombie.com
In Season 2 Episode 6 of Mr. Robot, Darlene plots her next move while wearing a blue plaid shirt much like this one, rolling up the cuffs to reveal the many rings on her fingers.
Alpha Industries MA-1 Flight Jacket, $140. Available at AlphaIndustries.com
This bomber jacket resembles the military parka Darlene donned throughout Season 1 — whether she was scattering flash drives in front of a precinct to help Elliott hack into a prison system or cavorting along the Coney Island boardwalk en route to FSociety’s arcade headquarters. Just wear it over a loose-fitting chambray button-down shirt and high-waisted shorts for a streetwise club kid look.
Forever 21 Mirrored Heart Sunglasses, $7.90. Available at Forever21.com
Darlene’s signature heart-shaped sunglasses are a nod to the red glossy shades on the film poster for Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita which, in turn, resemble those seen here. Darlene’s version, however, are crafted out of thin golden metal rather than lucite or acetate.
Chaser Floral Crown Graphic Tank, $39. Available at LastCall.com
When the FSociety team meets at their Coney Island headquarters to discuss their plan to break into Steel Mountain, a high-security data storage facility, Darlene is seen wearing a muscle tank by Chaser — the very same brand that created this racerback tank, with its rock ‘n’ roll-inspired imagery of a skull wearing a crown of roses.
American Apparel Acid Wash High-Waist Jean Cuff Short,$29. Available at Store.AmericanApparel.net
What does Darlene pair with her skull-adorned graphic tank? Acid wash shorts, of course! These high-waisted American Apparel shorts mirror those worn by Darlene in Episode 4 of Season 1.
Mango Textured Cotton Cardigan, $79. Available at Shop.Mango.com
When Darlene first meets Elliot’s neighbor Sheila, she was wearing a graphic tee and jean shorts — her go-to outfit — but she winterized the get-up by adding opaque tights and a cozy open cardigan sweater like this one.
Old Navy Textured Boot Socks in Marion Berry, $9. Available at OldNavy.com
Usually, when Darlene flaunts her long legs in itty-bitty shorts, she also dons knee-high socks and platform or combat boots for an overall vibe that’s confident but tough. In Season 1’s second episode, Darlene stops by Elliott’s apartment and steals some of his gear — including a pair of cranberry-colored socks like these ones from Old Navy.
Shellys London Kole Leather Combat Boots, $160. Available at NastyGal.com
Whether they’re burgundy, camel, or black, Darlene favors boots with chunky block heels, imposing silhouettes, gravity-defying platforms, and lugged soles. Remember her climbing atop park benches while screaming “I’ma menace to society”? Well, she was wearing some intimidating boots that resembled these.
Nissa Jewelry Hendrix Ring, $58. Available at NissaJewelry.com
Darlene never wears earrings, but she’s always wearing multiple rings. This 1″-wide piece, made of recycled metal, would appeal to her soft spot for all things punk rock.
H&M Fine-Knit Sweater in Khaki Green, $19.99. Available at HM.com
Darlene can exude sex appeal without showing much skin or slipping into figure-hugging ensembles. In fact, her penchant for teeny shorts notwithstanding, Darlene tends to keep things covered up with drape-y long-sleeved tops and swing-y tanks that seem to float around her body.
American Eagle Outfitters AEO Denim X Shortie in Summer Burgundy, $19.50. Available at AE.com
Fall colors are Darlene’s fashion playground so that, when she’s not wearing olive green, gray, or black, she’ll incorporate a pop of full-bodied mustard yellow, burgundy, or burnt orange. These burgundy denim shorts would fall right in her style wheelhouse. They also resemble the ones she wore in Episode 8 of Season 1, when she reconnected with Angela.
Waiting for the Sun Oakwood Cognac Sunglasses, $112. Visit WaitingfortheSun.fr for stockists.
Tje second time viewers encounter Darlene, she’s standing in front of the FSociety headquarters wearing a vintage suede coat in a burnt orange shade with a fur-trimmed collar and wearing the very shades shown here, featuring round frames crafted out of genuine oakwood.
Banana Republic Short Teddy Coat, $198. Available at BananaRepublic.Gap.com
During her meeting with the Dark Army in the back of a limousine, as well as during that pivotal boardwalk scene where we found out her true relationship to Elliott, Darlene wore a cream-colored varsity jacket with a plush, poodle-like, fuzzy texture much like the one that distinguishes this double-breasted jacket.
Burberry Prorsum Cotton and Silk-Blend Gabardine Jacket, $2595. Available at Net-a-Porter.com
In episode 4 of Season 2, Darlene took her military-inspired fashion game to new heights with a navy blue jacket featuring red piping and gold-toned buttons — a dead ringer for this Burberry piece. Inspired by the dress uniforms donned by US Marines, the jacket is worth an enthusiastic salute.
Boohoo Jen Asymmetric Hem Strappy Swing Dress, $26. Available at Boohoo.com
Though we rarely saw Darlene wearing anything but shorts in Season 1, she occasionally donned dresses in Season 2. In the fourth episode of the second season, in fact, she wears a loose-fitting cami dress like the one pictured here, pairing it with a jacket inspired by the dress uniforms worn by US Marines.
