With the release of its third season, Netflix’s Sex Education is making us question the ideas of self-expression and identity. Already popular for its vintage aesthetic, representation, and controversial take on teenage sexuality, this season of Sex Education takes it one step further in addressing freedom and self-expression issues. As the promo for the new season, Sex Education even collaborated with H&M and Nyx Cosmetics to create collections inspired by the show. As media that is popular for its visual aesthetic, this was a genius marketing move.
Through the costuming department and set design, the setting of the show is ambiguous. While the main characters use smartphones and language relevant to 2021, some elements suggest Moordale could be in another period. Jean Milburn listens to a radio from the fifties, while some characters drive cars that date anywhere from 1960 to 1990. In the last season, the school play was shot on a vintage film camera. However, it’s not just the set design that makes the show so appealing. Reigning true to the vibrant color scheme and eclectic clothing, this season’s wardrobe department did not disappoint.
Each character’s clothing choices are incredibly telling of their characterization as well as their roles in the show. Maeve is consistently noticeable in her edgy and rebellious looks, often sporting her iconic leather fringe jacket and a nose ring. This season, she continues the 80’s grunge vibe with black fishnets and a new hairstyle featuring bangs and purple tips.
Another character, Aimee, embodies girl boss vibes this season in her quest for self-love. Her ensemble embodies 70’s fashion, complete with curtain bangs and hair as fluffy as Farrah Fawcett’s. She rocks flare jeans, colorful blazers, and brightly printed shirts, perfectly on par with her bubbly personality. In a similar vein of the 70’s and 80’s vibe, Ola has some outfits this season that represents the colorful and casual look. This season, one of her best looks is from the third episode, where she wears an oversized patchwork cardigan reminiscent of the Harry Styles cardigan that was trending last fall.
Of course, there can’t be a conversation about fashion without paying homage to Eric Effiong. This season, he visits his family’s home in Nigeria for a wedding, bringing to light the topic of homophobia in Nigeria. As an openly gay teenager, he is cautioned against expressing himself through flashy outfits and makeup to avoid trouble with his traditionally-minded family or the law. As he goes on his own journey as a queer person in Nigeria, viewers are treated to the fantastic outfits at both the wedding and the nightclub Eric attends later on. Throughout the night, Eric wears a stunning bright marigold outfit.
In the second episode, one of the most obvious ways costuming conveyed a message was with the main character, Otis’ clothing. He is known for dressing like an average teenage boy with stunted fashion knowledge and is often seen in the same beige, red, and blue striped coat. At the beginning of this season, his girlfriend, Ruby, decides he needs an updated wardrobe. He emerges sporting brown pants, an argyle sweater, and an orange and blue leather jacket. It honestly is a great look but isn’t representative of Otis. Throughout much of the episode, he is visibly uncomfortable, representing how his relationship with Ruby changes him.
One of the main conflicts this season is the introduction of a Umbridge-Esque new Headmistress, who introduces new rules and regulations, stamping out the students’ individuality. The imposition of uniforms makes us realize just how important fashion is to understand the characters. It is an integral part of the show, and its relevance is never recognized until it is stripped away.
With the introduction of the new uniforms, several characters are affected. New student Cal, a nonbinary student, faces issues with gender roles, as they are reprimanded for wearing a looser fitting, traditionally boys uniform. Their usual style is a skater and streetwear hybrid, and the introduction of the uniforms is a significant contrast. The show highlights the struggles of a nonbinary person in an environment that is transitioning to a strict, individuality-suppressing environment.
This season of Sex Education addressed more new and vital issues, supplemented with some fantastic new looks. With the fourth and final season confirmed, viewers can look forward to seeing how the saga ends, as well as what these well-loved characters will be wearing. 2022 can’t come soon enough.
Words by Caroline Tetlow.
Graphic by Fai Mccurdy.