Franny Knows Best

The nanny of our dreams, Miss Fran Fine, and her chutzpah keep her relevant in the realm of fashion since she strutted onto her televisions in 1993 till now and forevermore. Her coveted wardrobe had everything from unique pieces and bright suits to denim and lace, loud and neutral (for her) patterns, to fashionable seasonal wear. A look at her monumental influence because, let's be honest, she's never going out of style. 

via Vogue

With a heart of gold, an unforgettable nasal voice, and an eye for fashion, Fran Fine from The Nanny (1993) captivated our hearts from the very beginning. Her wit wasn't the only sharp thing about her; her looks never missed! The 90s icon continues to influence modern style with her fearless approach to fashion, which is also thrifty in CANON, embodying principles of sustainable fashion long before they became mainstream. But what made Fran Fine a fashion icon in a way that defined the 90s? A closer look at how her bold and unapologetic style challenged norms and embraced femininity lets us know how she left a lasting impact on fashion culture.

"Oh, honey, I make this look good!"

 As grunge and alternative rock rose, bringing simple, minimalistic grunge looks made it into the 90s fashion scene; meanwhile, Fran Fine brought something incredibly bold and unique to the table. Bold colors, exaggerated shapes, vivid patterns, and luxurious fabrics like fur and velvet were her staples at the time. The mainstream fashion aesthetic can be equated to the recent beige movement which compared to Fine's fearless wardrobe was bleh.

 In a world of neutral, Fran's bright, head-turning outfits were a statement of self-expression and confidence. Her aesthetic was "too much" by conventional standards. Regardless, she stuck to her guns, and in doing so, she redefined what it meant to be fashionable. Her outfits were an extension of her personality: loud, unmissable, and always glamorous.

"I'm not just a pretty face; I'm a pretty dresser too!"

Calling Fran's style flashy doesn't do it justice. She was powerful. Power dressing was an expression used to encapsulate the growing trend of the late 70s where women established authority in male-dominated professional environments by wearing conservative styles taken straight from the male wardrobe. The late 80s and early 90s still saw this as strictly masculine, characterized by the broad-shouldered blazers and pantsuits. 

Miss Girl Fran Fine changed the game by introducing feminity into this style. Her form-fitting minis, gorgeous heels, and cheeky accessories provoked an evolution of the trend. Fran showed that femininity could also be powerful and influential, reminding women they didn't have to sacrifice style to be taken seriously.

"If it's not a statement, what's the point?"

An iconic element of Miss Fine's wardrobe is her enviable statement pieces. Her leopard print coats, brightly colored turtlenecks, or intricately embellished accessories (like her red heart bag) cover only a few pieces that commanded attention. She brought the trend of highlighting one item to elevate the outfit to vogue. Her ability to mix and match is unmatched. It illustrated her unbound creativity, which resonated with audiences and designers. This use of bold, defining elements made her a muse for future fashion collections and celebrity stylists, influencing both pop culture and runway trends.

"I bought it at Loehmann"

Undoubtedly, the most attractive aspect of Fran's wardrobe was the mix of accessible high-street pieces with luxurious vintage elements. Fashion genius on set, Brenda Cooper, sourced clothes from Moschino, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana while being thrifty. Many of Fine's signature pieces resulted from careful sourcing from vintage stores, a detail often overlooked in the glitz of her designer ensembles. Her cohesive ensembles layers high and low fashion which a broad audience could admire and recreate.

An added bonus is how, in the show, Fran, too, not only never denies but flaunts that her clothes came from sales racks and secondhand shops. This made her a more relatable fashion figure, as she promoted that you didn't need an unlimited budget to look fabulous. It wasn't just about owning a designer piece, honey, it was about how you wore it.

"If it's good enough to wear once, it's good enough to wear again!"

 Fran Fine was also ahead of the curve when it came to repeating outfits, which today's sustainability fashionistas praise. In a world where new outfits are insanely expected for every occasion, Fran broke the mold by blessing the screen again with some of her iconic looks throughout The Nanny's six-season run. Whether it was the famous Moschino heart blazer or her stunning Vivienne Westwood pieces, Fran couldn't shy away from bringing back a fan-favorite look.

Her repeated outfits weren't a sign of laziness but of her handy nature and a clear understanding of the power of staples in iconic fashion moments. In today's culture, where sustainability is critical and the harmful effects of fast fashion are being increasingly recognized, Fran Fine's approach to re-wearing clothing feels revolutionary.

"It's vintage, darling. You wouldn't understand."

Thanks to the power of social media like Instagram and TikTok and the '90s nostalgia, Fran Fine's aesthetic saw a revival recently. Celebs such as Cardi B, Bella Hadid, and Ariana Grande have channeled Fran's iconic looks, blending vintage and modern aesthetics. The return of bold prints, fitted silhouettes, and eye-catching accessories in contemporary fashion can be directly tied to Fran Fine's enduring influence.

"Always overdress. It's better to be looked over than overlooked."

Fran Fine wore an attitude that wasn’t for sale so naturally most settled to chalk up her confidence to her clothes. She unabashedly embraces the more-is-more philosophy, demonstrating that style is not just about aesthetics and luxury pieces but about confidence and playfulness. Fran's fashion choices served as a means of self-expression, challenging the typical portrayal of women, much less a nanny on TV during that time. In many respects, she paved the way for future television characters who would use fashion as a source of empowerment, from Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City to Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl.

"When you look this good, who cares?"

Fran Fine made a lasting impact on fashion beyond her role in The Nanny. Her fashion choices celebrated individuality, demonstrating that style can represent enjoyment, boldness, and femininity. In a society that often encourages women to conform, Fran's confident embrace of fearlessness and glamour still carries significance today. She revealed that fashion is a means of self-expression and a potent instrument for challenging societal norms. Fran Fine will always be a fashion icon, not only for what she dressed in but for how she carried herself with unapologetic and unmistakable panache. So if ever in doubt, remember Fran always said, 'Life is short, wear the dress!'!