The Best Style Moments from All 4 Seasons of Netflix’s Hit Series Sex Education
Sex-confused teens Otis, Eric, Maeve and Aimee from Moordale teach us a thing or two about finding your personal style.
Netflix completed Season 4 of Sex Education, the wildly popular series about teenagers in a UK secondary school who, for the first time in their lives, are coming into the world of sex, romance and all that jazz. Sex Education follows the lives of quiet Otis (Asa Butterfield), the son of sex and marriage therapist Jean Milburn (Gillian Anderson), and bad girl Maeve (Emma Mackey) as they start a sex therapy clinic on campus for their troubled schoolmates. From its first to final season, the comedy series captured the hearts of teens and young adults alike, with its progressive and mature treatment of progressive themes, such as inclusivity and sex-positivity.
For us, one other matter has been keeping us on the hook: the fashion choices of the Moordale Secondary students. Follow along as we recap some of the best looks from the nostalgia-fuelled show below. Spoilers ahead!
Eric’s Power Look at the School Dance (Season 1)
Otis’ best friend at Moordale is Eric (Ncuti Gatwa), a bold and expressive person, navigating his queer identity amidst some friction from his family and trouble from the bullies in school. The first season sees Eric experiment and explore the various facets of his identity, as he attempts to make peace with who he is and who he strives to be. In a moving scene in Episode 7 where Eric’s dad finally comes to terms with his child’s individuality, Eric wears a powerfully vibrant suit with a Nigerian head wrap, as a celebration of his cultural and queer identities, to the school dance.
Aimee’s Reclamation of the Bus with the Girls (Season 2)
After Aimee (Aimee Lou Woods) gets assaulted on a public bus, she struggles with taking public transport and interacting with men. Her troubles lead her to confide in her bestie Maeve, and the other girls at Moordale during detention. When the girls show up one morning to ride the bus together with Aimee, it’s a poignant moment of women supporting women. The bold collar of her graphic shirt signifies her bubbly personality, but since she’s still recovering from the traumatic incident, her maroon patchwork jacket keeps her covered and secure. Her leather drop-satchel bag also adds a touch of personality and doubles up as a makeshift security blanket.
Ruby’s Full Purple Look (Season 3)
She started out as the queen bee of Moordale’s cool crowd, but later seasons of Sex Education show some unexpected sides of Ruby (Mimi Keene). In Season 3, after Ruby and Otis finally define their relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend, Ruby rocks this solid purple number to school, with Otis in his typical striped-tee ensemble. As the popular girl in school, Ruby always has to deliver, and boy, did she. The monochromatic violet set is giving loud and proud, and we’re here for it. Plus, her little bag with the fluffy handle is the moment.
Lily’s Crop Circle Sighting Look (Season 3)
As Moordale’s resident eccentric student, Lily (Tanya Reynolds) has stood out from day one with her quirky and colourful looks. Lots of layering and vivid colours are part and parcel of fantasy-obsessed Lily’s daily school outfits, and one of our favourites was this pastel one from Season 3. When she spots a crop circle on a field while travelling home, she drops everything to snap a photo for her partner Ola. The turquoise and baby pink combination of her tops is really doing it for us. The puff sleeves on the blouse add a dimension of refinement to the youthful look, and it doesn’t hurt that her bicycle helmet is the same adorable shade of pink.
Aimee’s Season 4 Opening Look
Season 4 Aimee is confident and thriving. She’s on her healing journey following the assault, and she’s ready to take on the world. When she arrives for her first day at Cavendish College with Otis and Eric, we see Aimee in a cute striped look. What we especially love about this number is the soft neck scarf that she has popped on – a great way to add some personality to a simple jeans-and-tee outfit. We’re also taking cues from the subtle double denim moment happening with her little vest.
Abbi’s Opening Look in Season 4
As one of the sixth-form reps at the techy, forward-thinking Cavendish College, Abbi (Anthony Lexa) is introduced early on in the latest season as she leads Otis, Eric and Aimee around campus. Her quilted patchwork coat is to die for, especially when paired with that chartreuse turtleneck below. It’s serving comfy core, but with pizzazz. Obviously, we need to talk about her signature pink hair as well. The cutesy half-up half-down style reveals Abbi as less of a figure of authority in school, and more as an approachable senior with the best advice. Pink and green always work together as a funky combo, and Abbi’s take on it shows exactly the type of leader she aspires to be.
Maeve’s Soft Sweater-Vested Look (Season 4)
As Otis adjusts to his new school life at Cavendish, Maeve is exploring a whole new continent while on a writing programme in the States. Maeve’s style, which originated as a moody blend of black, grey and maroon, has softened over time. We’re used to seeing her in structured leather and chunky flannels but now we’re seeing her in a soft sweater vest and an oversized white shirt. The beauty of this look is in its simplicity. In classic Maeve fashion, she adds a pinch of grunge to whatever she touches and this outfit is no exception. Her semi-sheer black tights add some edge to an otherwise standard school-girl look.
The Coven’s Daily Looks (Season 4)
The ruling squad at Cavendish College takes self-expression very seriously. Every school day is like a runway for them, and we’re big fans. Each look from Abbi, Roman and Aisha is flush with personality. Think Gen-Z maximalism but functional enough for class. The best of the bunch is this faux fur-trimmed jacket that Abbi rocks. With the loud colours and prints, her outfit is ‘70s and ‘00s all at once, and we’re not complaining. This band of stylish kids aren’t shy with print-mixing and playing with colour. Roman, Abbi’s boyfriend, and Aisha, a friend of the couple, also allow their outfits to show off their charms and idiosyncrasies.
Special Mention: Otis’ Colour-Blocked Jacket (All)
Given Otis’ geeky and introverted character, it’s probably expected that his outfits didn’t make this list. But we do stan a sustainable king and Otis has been donning the same colour-blocked sweater since his first days at the sex therapy clinic with Maeve. Even in the finale season where he’s surrounded by a sea of cool new kids at this flashy new college, he stays true to himself and his own style. Now, that’s something we can get behind.
