Courtcore: The most stylish female lawyers on-screen

Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is the most stylish fictional female lawyer in the world, based on 44,040 estimated monthly style-related searches. Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal of Elle earned her a place in fashion history. Elle’s pink, exaggerated, hyper-girly wardrobe became iconic for many viewers for showing femininity and intellect at the same time while fighting to be taken seriously as a professional. Legally Blonde’s cultural impact is evident, with her look replicated by generations of influencers, including Kim Kardashian, and the hashtag #legallyblonde currently racking up 1.5 billion TikTok views. Despite its release over 20 years ago, ‘Elle Woods costume’ is still searched over 12,100 times a month. 

Rachel Zane, Meghan Markle’s character from Suits, is the second most stylish fictional female lawyer, with 14,890 monthly searches. Rachel’s wardrobe consists mostly of tailored pencil skirts, knee-length dresses, slim-fitting shirts, and sleek court heels, mostly in neutrals. Her wardrobe is envied by many viewers, with ‘Rachel Zane outfits’ searched over 4,800 times monthly. 

Olivia Pope from Scandal is the third most stylish, based on 7,800 monthly searches for her style. Olivia, played by Kerry Washington, was a lawyer before creating her own crisis management firm. Her on-screen style is widely-documented. Neutrals with occasional pops of color, exaggerated tailoring, statement coats, and power dressing encapsulates Olivia’s executive style. Over one in ten monthly searches are made for her coats alone. 

Ally McBeal, played by Calista Flockhart, receives 940 monthly style-related searches and ranks fourth. The miniskirt suit became synonymous with Ally, bringing a young, playful spin on professional style to the screen. One-quarter of all searches are just for Ally’s skirts. The shortened hem, paired with matching slim blazers, crisp t-shirts, blouses, and button-ups, was perfectly on-trend in the Y2K era. It mirrored what was happening on the runway, and the micro skirt came back last year at Miu Miu. A new Ally McBeal series is reportedly in development.

Jessica Pearson, played by Gina Torres, is the second Suits character to appear on the list, ranking fifth with 600 monthly style searches. Jessica is the firm’s boss and has a wardrobe to match. She’s seen on-screen often wearing simple, impeccably-tailored outfits with interesting silhouettes. Jessica will sometimes wear a statement piece, such as a coat or blouse with intricate sleeve detailing, often in an asymmetrical cut. To keep it clean, she will opt for minimal jewelry.  

Kim Wexler from Better Call Saul is the sixth most stylish fictional female lawyer, receiving 510 monthly style searches. Kim, played by Rhea Seehorn, is the main leading female character in the show. In the early series, Kim’s wardrobe consists of typical corporate attire: pantsuits and dresses in conservative cuts and colors. However, her style develops throughout the series, becoming darker with vibrant undertones and no longer wearing skirts.

The Good Wife’s Diane Lockhart, played by Christine Baranski, is the seventh most stylish, based on 500 monthly related searches. Credited with granting lawyers the permission to ditch the plain black suit, Diane took corporate power dressing to a new level. Structured blazers in daring prints and bold, over-the-top accessories and jewelry made her go-to source for lessons in corporate fashion.

Viola Davis’s character in How to Get Away with Murder, Annalise Keating, is the eighth most stylish fictional female lawyer, with 440 monthly searches for her style. Annalise’s wardrobe is effortless and sharp. She’s often seen in court wearing her signature outfit: a bodycon dress, a well-tailored blazer, court shoes, and a black leather bag. Annalise’s style encapsulates the cash-rich and time-poor high-powered professional, always put together without ever trying too hard.

Sex and the City’s Miranda Hobbes, played by Cynthia Nixon, is the ninth most stylish with 400 monthly searches. Miranda’s wardrobe, though way more subtle than the rest of the cast, has aged well and is now an archive of normcore fashion inspiration. The high-powered New York lawyer, with her classic choppy red bob, showed us so much style versatility throughout six seasons and two movies. From dungarees to well-cut power suits to an iconic green kaftan and matching headscarf, Miranda became one of TV’s most underrated fashion icons. 

Alicia Florrick, from The Good Wife, rounds off the list as the tenth most stylish on-screen female lawyer, based on 370 monthly searches for her hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Alicia’s sartorial style embodies the high-powered executive: fitted, elegant, understated, and minimal fuss. Her executive wardrobe is a carousel of designer corporate fashion, including Tom Ford-era Gucci runway silk shirts and a Michael Kors jacket also seen on Michelle Obama.