Steal Fran Drescher's Quirky Mob Wife Aesthetic From The Nanny

Fran Drescher burst into our collective field of vision in the '90s with "The Nanny" and gave us (and the Sheffield family) the dynamism we didn't know we were missing. Drescher plays the character Fran Fine, a freshly-dumped girl in Manhattan, who winds up on the doorstep of Maxwell Sheffield's home, selling cosmetics. She ends up working as a nanny for the three Sheffield children and brings life back into the home and to the widower, Maxwell. One of the things that made "The Nanny" so beloved was Drescher's outfits. She was daring, sexy, vivacious, and so stylish. Even today, her looks are completely worth emulating.

There's no denying that we're in an era of nostalgia for '90s fashion. Simple spaghetti straps, small, structured sunglasses, retro jeans, and simple t-shirts are all loved again. What makes the '90s such an incredible era to draw inspiration from is its wide array of offerings. There was the '90s grunge aesthetic, complete with baggy jeans and chokers. On a very different playing field, there was Princess Diana, so powerful in her sartorial influence that Dianacore is alive and well today. Then there's our cutie pie, Fran Drescher, with her incredible meld of '90s glam that was all her own. With Drescher in mind, we're leaning into her incredible style for our '90s nostalgic inspiration. Think tight turtlenecks, colorful bodycon dresses, mini skirts, heels, and lots of bling.

Fran Drescher was all about turtlenecks in "The Nanny." She used the cozy piece as her base, building the rest of her look around it — it's all about the layering. Usually, this included a form-fitting dress that went over Drescher's turtleneck. These were often black or white, but Drescher is a big fan of juicy colors, so there's no shortage of archival shots from "The Nanny" of our gal in hot pink or citrus-toned tops. She also wasn't shy to jazz up an outfit with fur (or faux fur) cuffs, so bring out that added embellishment to complete the perfect outfit. Finish it off with a hat or headband, since Fran famously rocked accessories.

An episode of "The Nanny" wasn't complete without Fran Drescher rocking some form of animal print. She loved leopard mini dresses, jaguar print turtlenecks, tiger-striped halter tops, and snakeskin galore. Channel Drescher's impeccable mob wife glam by using an animal print as a neutral in your outfit. With that in place, have some fun with vivid colors. Drescher loved orange and red, so combine these two elements with a fiery dress to create a playful ensemble. Accessorize with some big earrings, sunglasses, and heels.

Fran Drescher joked that a turtleneck and high boots were her go-to look for "The Nanny." She told Byrdie: "I think a solid silhouette of black turtleneck, black hot pants, a gold chain belt, and thigh-high black suede boots over black sheer hose is a classic nanny look." To make the concept more contemporary, skip the hot pants and go instead for a pleated mini skirt. A knit sweater underneath a leather trench coat gives the cool girl effect, while the knee-high boots capture Drescher's endless sex appeal.

Fran Drescher's fashion gift was all about texture and color. She combined every color of the rainbow with the tactile interest that came from knits, sequins, and fur. Her outfits looked visually intriguing, so using Drescher as our guide, a mid-length bodycon dress in a bright color is the perfect place to start. Make the dress come alive by layering a mesh dress overtop to nail the sheer clothing trend. Finish it off with slouchy boots for added structure, and pair with playful jewelry and some statement sunglasses. 

Fran Drescher loved a blazer and mini skirt combo. She frequently rocked the matching ensemble in "The Nanny," completing the look with tights and a snazzy, voluminous hairdo. We still love a matching two-piece suit, complete with a micro skirt and full-volume hair. While Drescher often went for tight fits, you can make the getup more contemporary by opting for a looser fit with the blazer. Keep the feminine touches by sporting high heels — bonus points for white shoes — add a touch of dazzle with a sequin bag. We know Fran Drescher would approve!