Picture it’s 1996. Like many classic horror franchises, it all begins with not one but two stereotypical blondes coming on the screen. Just as you expect Darla to be portrayed as the helpless victim, she flips the script and devours the man she’s with. Enter Buffy Summers, who came here not only to slay Darla, but every traditional gender role in her path.

Growing up, everyone has their own hero or heroine they look up to. If you ask me, Buffy Summers is one of the most influental and important heroines on TV to date. She paved the way for modern female figures, finally making it a safe space for women to show their strength, courage and wisdom. In a world full of overused “dumb blonde” references and female characters who constantly rely on men to rescue them, she saved not only the world, but modern TV.

Slaying Monsters and Fashion

And what makes her even more iconic? Her fashion, of course. Who says you can’t look amazing while saving the world? Buffy the Vampire Slayer has one of the best outfits I have ever seen in a TV show. While Buffy’s looks were undeniably memorable, I have to give a special shoutout to Cordelia Chase , who, in my opinion, was the fashion queen of the show. But Cordelia’s story deserves its own spotlight. Something I’ll dive into in another article.

Buffy’s wardrobe, curated by costume designer Cynthia Bergstrom, was as versatile as the Slayer herself. A mix of high and low fashion, it featured brands like Dries Van Noten, Maison Margiela, Haider Ackermann, and Marni, setting some of the most enduring 90s trends along the way.

Here are some of my favourite looks:

1. Fierce

2. Cherry Cherry Lady

3. A Halloween Slay

4. Iconic

5. On Fridays We Wear Pink

6. Robot-Buffy

7. Class Protector

8. The Slow-Motion Coat

9. Heart-Slayer

10. Rocking The Leopard Print

11. Sunglasses

An Inspiration for Every Generation

Buffy’s legacy extends far beyond fashion and the Hellmouth. She inspired a generation of strong, independent female leads and changed the way we view women in genre television. Without Buffy Summers, would we have characters like Veronica Mars, Sydney Bristow, or Jessica Jones? It’s hard to say, but I like to think she opened the door for all of them.

As we revisit the legacy of Buffy Summers, let’s not forget the lessons she taught us: to stand tall, to fight for what’s right, and to never underestimate the power of a woman who refuses to give up. Because in the end, the world doesn’t need perfect heroes. It needs real ones. And Buffy? She was as real as they come.

Where True Strength Lies

Was her supernatural strength the only strength Buffy posessed? Hardly. She showed us what it really means to be strong. In example, when her mother passed away, she abandoned her studies and got a job while simultaniously saving the world. All of this so she could raise her younger sister. A decision that was anything but fair or easy to make for such a young adult as herself.

How many women do you know—mothers, sisters and daughters who had to sacrifice their education, careers, or dreams to be the rock their families needed? Strength isn’t just about physical power. It’s about making impossible choices, selflessness, and carrying the weight of the world when no one else can.

This is a tribute to every Buffy Summers out there. To every woman who’s faced her fears, put others before herself, and sacrificed her own dreams, whether temporarily or permanently, for a greater cause or the people she loves. You are the real heroes.