Southern Gothic Meets Coastal Chic: The Impeccable Style Secrets of Netflix’s Latest Hit
Netflix’s “The Waterfront,” premiering June 19th, isn’t just another family saga—it’s a sartorial feast wrapped in Southern Gothic elegance. Created by Kevin Williamson (yes, the mastermind behind our beloved “Dawson’s Creek”), this North Carolina-set masterpiece serves up eight episodes of pure visual poetry that any fashion connoisseur will absolutely devour.
Picture this: a small coastal town where the Buckley family reigns supreme, not just as local royalty, but as the most impeccably styled dynasty to grace our screens since “Big Little Lies.” The wardrobe department has clearly understood the assignment, crafting looks that speak to both the characters’ tortured souls and their undeniable sophistication.
Leading our cast of beautifully damaged characters is Holt McCallany as Harlan, the gruff patriarch whose weathered masculinity is offset by an unexpectedly refined aesthetic. Think aged leather meets coastal chic—a combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. His on-screen chemistry with the luminous Maria Bello, who portrays wife Belle, creates a visual dynamic that’s both raw and polished. Bello’s Belle runs the family restaurant with an effortless grace that translates into her wardrobe choices—think elevated coastal casual with just a hint of dangerous sophistication.
But let’s talk about the real fashion moment here: Melissa Benoist as Bree. Fresh from her “Supergirl” days, Benoist has transformed into something entirely more complex and visually striking. Her character’s journey from addiction to tentative sobriety is reflected in a wardrobe that moves from chaotic patterns to increasingly structured silhouettes—a masterclass in costume design as character development. The tension between her desire for family responsibility and her fragile recovery state creates a visual narrative that fashion insiders will study for years to come.
Jake Weary’s Cane brings a different energy entirely—think dangerous charm meets coastal prep, with just enough dishevelment to suggest his character’s involvement in less-than-legal enterprises. The costume designers have clearly drawn inspiration from both traditional Southern menswear and contemporary streetwear, creating a hybrid aesthetic that feels both timeless and urgently modern.
The real star, however, might be the setting itself. North Carolina’s coastal landscape provides a backdrop that’s both romantic and foreboding—the perfect canvas for fashion choices that range from breezy coastal elegance to dark, moody sophistication. The production design team has created spaces that feel lived-in yet aspirational, where every textile choice feels deliberate and meaningful.
What sets “The Waterfront” apart from other family dramas isn’t just its commitment to authentic storytelling—it’s the understanding that in today’s visual culture, fashion is character development. Each costume choice reveals something deeper about these complex individuals, from Belle’s restaurant-owner pragmatism to Bree’s recovery-focused minimalism.
The series follows the successful “Yellowstone” model, but with a distinctly Eastern seaboard sophistication. Where “Yellowstone” gives us Western wear and ranch aesthetics, “The Waterfront” offers coastal elegance with an undercurrent of danger. The wardrobe department has clearly studied the way wealthy coastal families actually dress—not the Instagram version, but the real, lived-in luxury of old money meets new problems.
Young Brady Hepner, playing Bree’s surly teenage son, represents the next generation’s aesthetic rebellion against family tradition. His character’s styling choices reflect the universal teenage desire to reject parental influence while inadvertently embodying the very sophistication they’re trying to escape.
The early episodes promise a visual feast that fashion enthusiasts will want to screenshot and study. From the perfectly imperfect coastal textures to the way each character’s wardrobe evolves with their emotional journey, “The Waterfront” understands that in premium television, every detail matters—especially what our characters choose to wear while their worlds collapse around them.
