Television has found a new style mood, and it is not built around leggings and gym wear. In a new Los Angeles Times report published on June 9, 2026, fashion on current Emmy-season shows is being shaped by a softer, more polished look often described as “Brentwood mom” style. The idea shows up in characters who look put-together without looking stiff, and it is getting attention because costume teams are using clothes to show status, personality, and age in a very clear way.
What happened
The Los Angeles Times piece focuses on a group of TV characters whose wardrobes are now part of the conversation around their shows. On “Shrinking,” Christa Miller’s Liz was built around bold colors, layered tops, stripes, and accessories instead of workout clothes. Miller and costume designer Allyson B. Fanger deliberately moved away from athleisure and leaned into a casual but polished California look, using labels such as Clare V, Jennifer Meyer, and Mother. Fanger even created a LookLikeLiz hashtag for fans who wanted to copy the style.
The same trend shows up across other Emmy contenders. Keke Palmer’s character in “The ‘Burbs” brings bright, slouchy-cool pieces and statement accessories to a quieter neighborhood setting. Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning’s wardrobes in “All Her Fault” are more subtle, but still show clear class differences through fabrics, colors, and styling. “The Audacity” uses quiet minimalism to show wealth without shouting about it, while “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” takes a more lived-in approach with vintage denim, worn tees, and thrifted layers.
Background and context
This is not just about clothes looking nice on screen. The reporting makes clear that TV costume design is now doing more story work than ever. The outfits tell viewers whether a character is a working parent, a wealthy tech spouse, a city mom, or someone trying to look effortless in a very specific social setting. The article also notes that these characters are all part of this year’s Emmy race, which gives the wardrobe choices even more visibility.
That matters because TV fashion no longer sits in the background. Costume choices can now become part of the show’s identity, especially when fans react online. The article points to the way Instagram and style sites have turned some of these looks into searchable, shareable visual references. That is one reason the “Brentwood mom” label has taken hold: it is easy to recognize, easy to talk about, and easy to copy.
Why this matters now
The timing lines up with a larger shift in how television presents women, especially mothers. Instead of treating motherhood as the end of personal style, these shows present it as one part of a fuller life. The Los Angeles Times report says fashion expert Shana Draugelis of The Mom Edit sees this as part of a wider change in how motherhood is portrayed, with social media helping raise expectations around style and self-presentation.
It also matters because the look stands in direct contrast to years of athleisure dominance. In the article, Miller says the character could have been dressed in a very standard workout-heavy wardrobe, but the team chose not to go that way. The point is not that workout wear is wrong. The point is that television is now using a different visual language for moms who want to look relaxed, current, and self-aware without looking like they are headed to the gym.
Expert view and source-based insight
The strongest insight from the reporting is that costume design is now about character psychology as much as fashion. Allyson B. Fanger said the “Shrinking” look works because it mixes levels of dress and gives Liz a strong point of view without making her seem overdone. Trayce Gigi Field used a similar idea for “The ‘Burbs,” where Samira stands out from her neighbors through color, energy, and styling that better matches her background and confidence. Gypsy Taylor and Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh also used wardrobe to show class differences and wealth in subtle ways rather than obvious logos or flashy labels.
That is the real reason the trend is catching on. The clothes are not just pretty. They are doing narrative work. They show who has money, who is trying to fit in, who has taste, and who has no interest in dressing like everyone else in the room. The report suggests that viewers are responding because these looks feel specific, not generic.
Public reaction and likely impact
Audience response is already visible. The article notes that Liz’s style has become popular enough that fans are following the LookLikeLiz hashtag. That kind of reaction matters because it shows the wardrobe is moving beyond the screen and into real-life style conversation. When viewers start searching for a character’s clothes, a costume designer’s work becomes part of the show’s public brand.
What this may mean next is simple: more shows will likely treat parent characters as style leaders instead of fashion afterthoughts. That is an inference based on the current reporting, but it fits what the article shows. The more viewers respond to this look, the more costume teams will likely keep building wardrobes that feel lived-in, polished, and class-aware at the same time.
Common misunderstandings and wrong claims
One common mistake is to assume “Brentwood mom” fashion means one fixed outfit formula. It does not. The article shows at least four different visual directions: stripes and color on “Shrinking,” bold cool-girl casual on “The ‘Burbs,” quiet luxury on “All Her Fault,” and restrained vintage wear on “Margo’s Got Money Troubles.” The shared idea is not sameness. It is that the clothes feel intentional and tied to the character.
Another wrong claim is that this trend is anti-athleisure in a broad cultural sense. The reporting does not say that. It says these specific characters were styled away from workout wear because the costumes needed a different kind of presence. In other words, the article is about TV storytelling, not a ban on comfortable clothes in real life.
A third misunderstanding is that this is only about wealth. Money is part of the picture, but not the whole thing. The article also shows that age, neighborhood, personality, motherhood, and social class all shape the final look. That is why the trend feels bigger than a single aesthetic label.
What happens next
The next step is likely more of the same from awards-season television: stronger costume storytelling, more online attention, and more conversation about how mothers are dressed on screen. The article makes clear that these choices are already being noticed by viewers, critics, and style watchers. If the Emmy buzz continues, these wardrobes may keep shaping how people talk about the shows themselves.
Closing note
The rise of “Brentwood mom” fashion on TV shows that viewers are paying attention to clothing as part of character building, not just decoration. That is why this trend matters. It is not just about looking nice. It is about telling a sharper story through what a character wears, how she wears it, and what that says about her life.
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