#WCW TV Style Muse: Phoebe Buffay from Friends
Though Rachel tends to get most of the credit as the Central Perk crew’s resident fashionista, Phoebe Buffay was Friends‘ true unsung style hero. Phoebe’s free-spirited approach to life seeped into her style choices. Instead of restrictive tailored pants and blazers or snug-fitting tees and tanks, she preferred roomy maxi skirts and dresses, oversize sweaters, and billowing bell-sleeved shirts and peasant blouses. And while many of her besties gravitated towards sensible neutral colors, Phoebe’s wardrobe was a ray of sunshine, replete with floral prints and paisley motifs, as well as separates in classic autumn foliage hues like burgundy, burnt orange, and olive green, as well as perky shades like sunflower yellow and baby pink, and jewel shades like deep amethyst and sapphire. The “Smelly Cat” singer practically foretold many of the most pervasive trends today: from the resurgence of chokers (Phoebe had quite the collection of crochet and velvet numbers) to the mixing and matching of winter and summer garments (she could rock a turtleneck under a pinafore dress like a boss!), the now-common practice of layering of beaded and chain necklaces, the growing popularity of midi rings (she wore them before they even had a name!) and tassel earrings, and the current fascination with 1970s hippie chic style.
Below, check out some garments and accessories that will remind you of why Phoebe is our fashion lobster!
Mary Katrantzou Osbourne Floral-Lace Embellished Crepe Cami Top, $736. Available at MatchesFashion.com
Like a true modern-day flower child, Phoebe loves to give her outfits a little bloom boom. This sunny yellow cami top, with its embroidered crochet daises, would make her feel like she was in her very own Woodstock paradise.
Calypso St. Barth Lourdes Skirt in Navy, $239. Available at CalypsoStBarth.com
Friends was on for 10 seasons and, while we occasionally saw Phoebe wearing jeans and overalls, we primarily saw her clad in dresses and maxi skirts like this Bohemian number from Calypso St. Barth, featuring a crinkled fabric, a smocked waist, and a ruffled hemline.
Minu Jewels Lapis Stone Earrings, $40. Available at MaxandChloe.com
When it comes to jewelry, Phoebe tends to gravitate towards earrings and necklaces that showcase the natural beauty of gemstones. Measuring 1 1/2″ in length, these drop earrings seem to nod to the constellations with their combination of faceted brown crystals and speckled lapis stones.
Reversible Vegan Leather Tote, $59. Available at UrbanOutfitters.com
As a strict vegetarian, Phoebe has a very firm anti-fur stance, so she’d obviously prefer a vegan leather tote to a real one. This camel-toned shoulder bag is particularly useful since it features a handy outer patch pocket and hidden magnetic closures along the open top.
Ettika Cherish The Day Necklace in Sodalite, Cobalt, and Gold, $88. Available at Ettika.com
Layering necklaces came naturally to Phoebe, who often paid dainty crochet or thin velvet chokers with long chains featuring oversize pendants, beaded necklaces, and chains of varying lengths. This Ettika necklace is a perfect layering piece, and it includes gradient beads, a slice of agate, and a fringe tassel for a carefree vibe.
Etro Crewneck Jacquard Sweater, $1100. Available at Etro.com
Topshop Stretch Cord Flare Trousers, $70. Available at US.Topshop.com
When Phoebe wore pants, she usually picked pieces that would add texture to her ensemble, optng for velvet, corduroy, or satin numbers in boot-cut silhouettes.
Christian Wijnats Yoko Coat, $4196. Available at FarFetch.com
She may be morally opposed to genuine fur, but Phoebe can certainly appreciate a funky faux fur coat — especially if it comes in a bright and festive hue. In fact, she was wearing a chubby orange coat when she first caught Chandler and Monica kissing! This cozy mustard yellow number, then, would make New York winters a little less dreary.
Rachel Zoe Magnus Paisley Silk-Jersey Minidress, $237. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
Remember the paisley print, button-down blouse Phoebe wore in Season 8’s “The One With The Creepy Holiday….” episode? Well, it closely resembled this ’70s-inspired mini dress — even down to the magenta, violet, burnt orange, burgundy, and black color combination.
Matrix Style Link Blowout Skinny Queen Smoothing Blowout Cream, $20. Available at Ulta.com
Though Phoebe wore her hair down and curly for many Season 1 episodes, she almost always rocked pin-straight strands in the show’s later seasons. To keep her blonde hairs smooth and frizz-free, Phoebe could use some help from the Matrix Style Link Blowout Skinny Queen Blowout Smoothing Cream, which offers damp strands heat protection while facilitating the journey to sleek and tamed hair.
Jose & Maria Barrera Long Beaded Single-Strand Necklace, $440. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
Featuring dyed jade, agate, Austrian crystal, and jet glass beads, this single-strand necklace is the perfect finishing touch for any ensemble — whether it involves a V-neck olive green sweater, a crochet cream dress, or a burgundy tie-neck blouse.
Zara Midi Check Print Dress, $99.90. Available at Zara.com
With its split neckline and roomy fit, this plaid dress can move from season to season with a few clever layering tricks. Phoebe would slip on a turtleneck beneath this number, add opaque tights, and maybe finish off the look with a vest and statement necklace.
Leah Alexandra Drop Earrings, $80. Available at Shop.Nordstrom.com
When arguing with Ross over evolution, Phoebe wore a pair of simple black gemstone earrings, much like these teardrop-shaped, faceted, onyx-colored ones. Hey, you can’t wear peace sign earrings all the time, right?
Karen Millen Orchid Cardigan, $94.99. Available at KarenMillen.com
By Season 8 of Friends, Phoebe’s cardigans were getting brighter and brighter, oftentimes featuring dynamic floral prints. She also began to more freely embrace softer shades like lavender and honeysuckle pink, while still contrasting them with deeper eggplant purple, olive green, and plum shades. This cardigan would bring a smile to Phoebe’s face, just like it does to ours.
Vince Camuto Gritella Lace-Up Boots, $239. Available at VinceCamuto.com
If you admire enough of Phoebe’s live performances at Central Perk, you’ll likely catch a glimpse of her favorite boots: a pair of vintage-flavored black lace-up boots with a block heel.
Stefano Patriarchi Etched Golden Silver and Onyx Round Pendant with Leather Lace, $420. Available at Forzieri.com
When wearing a baggy sweater in a solid hue, Phoebe would add a little pop to her outfit via a striking statement necklace like this sculptural number, which feels a bit Bohemian and yet has a slight disco vibe.
J. Crew Harlow Cardigan in Blush, $89.50. Available at JCrew.com
Phoebe loves to acessorize her printed maxi dresses with perky cardigans — be they periwinkle blue, soft lilac, olive green, or petal pink like the one shown here.
Dannijo Pink Aria Velvet Choker, $50. Available at BergdorfGoodman.com
This pink velvet choker is as cool now as it was in the ’90s. #ThingsPhoebeForetold
Free People Pebble Crepe Maxi Skirt, $99.99. Available at Bloomingdales.com
Remember the episode when Mr. Heckles died and left all of his hoarded belongings to Monica and Rachel? During a card game at the beginning of the episode, Phoebe wore a printed maxi skirt in soft pink and lavender shades much like this one.
Sam Edelman Winnie Suede Embroidered Boots, $90. Available at SamEdelman.com
With their floral embroidery motif, these Sam Edelman boots make for happy Boho feeet.
Natalie B Jewelry Two Raven El Sol Necklace, $143. Available at NatalieBJewelry.com
Phoebe wore several necklaces with oversize flower-shaped pendants — a leather cord piece with an orange carved rose, a green velvet choker with a silver-toned daisy pendant, a turquoise beaded piece with a daisy flower charm, and so on — throughout the show. This Natalie B necklace, with its laurel-inspired, leaf-shaped pieces and center daisy pendant, would make Phoebe borrow Joey’s line and coo, “How you doin’?
Romwe Blue Denim Knotted Blouse, $14.99. Available at Romwe.com
Remember the episode when Phoebe gave Monica a haircut modeled after Dudley Moore’s instead of Demi Moore’s? Well, during the unfortunate hair-snipping debacle, Phoebe wore a chambray shirt tied right above the waist, pairing it with a colorful, sarong-like skirt.
Alice + Olivia Athena Maxi Skirt, $595. Available at AliceandOlivia.com
Floral print maxi skirts are Phoebe’s fashion jam, and this Alice + Olivia Skirt, with its chiffon top layer and velvet burnout floral details, would make her as giddy as the dollhouse she built when Monica refused to let her play with her fancy, perfectly curated, mansion-like dollhouse.
Rock N Rose Maribelle Vintage Daisy Choker Necklace, $39. Available at Silkfred.com
This piece perfectly combines two of Phoebe’s favorite things: choker necklaces and cheerful daisies.
Boohoo Phoebe Racer Front Sleeveless Maxi Dress, $16. Available at Us.Boohoo.com
Remember the sleeveless yellow maxi dress Phoebe wore on “The One Where No One’s Ready” episode? It was one of her finest fashion moments — and clearly Boohoo agreed since it named this similar design after the flaky masseuse.
Susan Alexandra Daisy Cuff, $268. Available at Anthropologie.com
The oversize silver daisy pendant necklace Phoebe wore in Season 2’s “The One With Five Steaks And an Eggplant” episode had the same bold and perky vibe as this whimsical cuff number, which features a hand-painted band with daisies and hearts placed inside a diamond grid pattern and, of course, a sculpted blossom at the center of the piece.
Chloé Printed Velvet Maxi Dress, $1494. Available at TheOutnet.com
Phoebe wore a lot of velvet during the first few seasons of Friends –the ruby red velvet maxi skirt she wore to watch Joey play Sigmund Freud in an off-Broadway musical, the olive-toned dress she wore whe she visited her scientist beau at his research lab, and so on.This printed dress, with its patchwork-inspired design and rich jewel tones would make Phoebe’s wish list in seconds.
Dannijo Vix Choker, $98. Available at Dannijo.com
Whether wearing a crochet, beaded, leather cord, or velvet iteration, there was rarely an episode of Friends in which Phoebe didn’t wear a choker. This Bordeaux-colored piece seems particularly fitting for her given her love of rich wine-colored shirts and dresses.
Tory Burch Indy Top, $325. Available at ToryBurch.com
Peasant blouses with dreamy prints were one of Phoebe’s signature style items throughout the series — she even wore one when she agreed to let Mike move in with her! This cream-colored Tory burch blouse would work perfectly with all of Phoebe’s earth-toned skirts, pants, and jeans.
Diane Von Furstenberg Gracelynn Suede Skirt, $798. Available at Net-a-Porter.com
Not all of Phoebe’s skirts were of floor-sweeping length! She also loved midi-length suede and denim pieces — particularly those with an A-line silhouette and button fastenings running vertically down the front.
Jacquie Aiche Green Tourmaline Freeform, Bar + Triangle Necklace, $3500. Available at JacquieAiche.com
This dreamy necklace is a fine jewelry upgrade of the green pendant dangling from Phoebe’s black velvet choker in the episode in which she met her brother Frank. The juxtaposition of geometric shapes feels playful and modern, while the raw and natural beauty of the prong-set tourmaline stone at the very tip of the necklace would appeal to Phoebe’s tree-hugging sensibilities.
Preen Line Freesia Floral-Print Long-Sleeved Dress, $593. Available at MatchesFashion.com
Between the contrasting colors and the quirky details (such as the ruffled flounce, the wide strip running horizontally above the hemline, and the frilly ruffles at the shoulder seams), this shirt dress feels delightfully eclectic. The cohesiveness of the floral pattern, however, brings the entire design together.
Baublebar Astolat Tassel Earrings, $48. Available at Baublebar.com
Tassel earrings may be everywhere now — some beaded and others threaded — but Phoebe was up on this trend back in Season 2 of Friends. She even wore a pair to visit her husband, a Canadian ice dancer she married (but also secretly loved).
Rebecca Minkoff Embroidered Guitar Strap, $75. Available at RebeccaMinkoff.com
Whether playing her guitar inside Central Perk or just outside the coffee shop’s door in protest (like when she was summarily dismissed in favor of an allegedly more talented singer… as if!), Phoebe loves making her guitar feel like an extension of herself — a mission she could easily accomplish with this Rebecca Minkoff guitar strap, featuring a folkloric floral motif.
Sterling Silver Lapis Lazuli Ring from India, $69.99. Available at Novica.com
Suno Navy Floral Print Silk Maxi Dress, $248. Available at SunoNY.com
Even during her third trimester, when she was acting as a surrogate and carrying her nephews in her womb, Phoebe stayed true to her sense of style, wearing plenty of floral maxi dresses — including the one she wore when showing us how she balanced bowls on her bump. This perky dress from Suno would even make her yet-to-be-born nephews kick a little in approval.
Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant in Cedarwood + Juniper, $8.99. Available at Whole Foods stores and Target.com
Phoebe would be horrified to learn about the potential hazards of aluminum, the most common ingredient in mass market anti-perspirants and yet a major source of controversy given that studies have found a link between the mineral and breast cancer incidence. As someone who believes in botanical medicine, energy healing, and aromatherapy, Phoebe would definitely opt for a vegan, aluminum-free, all-natural deodorant to keep her underarms dry and smelling fresh as a daisy. Our choice for her would be Schmidt’s Natural Deodorant, which contains arrowroot powder, coconut oil, candellia wax, baking soda, vitamin E, and jojoba oil. Together, these ingredients keep the underarm area dry while fighting odor-causing bacteria, and they smooth and moisturize the gentle skin therein. The deodorant is available in six scents, including cedarwood and juniper, a woody unisex product that Phoebe could share with her hubby Mike.
Laundry by Shelli Segal Embellished Velvet Gown, $325. Available at Bloomingdales.com
Remember when Phoebe pretended to seduce Chandler in order to get him to admit, once and for all, that he was involved with Monica? Well, she wore a long-sleeved navy blue velvet gown for her big flirtation and, while she ultimately called Chandler’s bluff, Phoebe looked killer in that dress. Twenty-years later, she could turn anyone’s head in this Laundry by Shelly Segal gown!
Elva Fields June Earrings, $88. Available at ElvaFields.com
Hollister Embroidered Lace-Up Peasant Top, $39.95. Available at HollisterCo.com
This lace-up peasant top is as versatile as it is timeless — plus the embroidered details make it stand out from the fray.
Angela Roi Morning Cross Body Bag, $135. Available at AngelaRoi.com
While deciding between two guys she was dating, Phoebe visited Monica’s apartment for a brainstorming session and slung a burgundy-colored saddle bag over one of her kitchen chairs. This Angela Roi piece, then, would speak to Phoebe’s aesthetic while also making her heart smile thanks to the brand’s use of vegan leather and its cruelty-free practices.
Nissa Jewelry Legends Midi Ring, $48. Available at NissaJewelry.com
Phoebe’s fingers are riddled with rings — some right above her knuckles and other thinner bands (midi rings) adorning the space bwteen the middle of each finger and the fingertip. Phoebe tends to favor silver earrings and, though she alternates their width and style, she makes sure to feature at least a couple bold pieces that cover quite a bit of surface area. With its vintage-flavored feel and rock ‘n’ roll attitude, she’d be aching to slip this midi ring onto one of her fingers.
Johnny Was Sammy Velvet Maxi Dress, $268. Available at JohnnyWas.com
The purple and gold shades of this velvet maxi dress are fit for a queen — and we all know Phoebe was Boho style royalty!
