Films belong on the big screen, but the most popular TV series have captivated viewers right in their living rooms. Allow us to take you on a journey through some of the most influential TV series of all time and create looks that their central characters would definitely be seen in.

Breaking Bad

The series opens with a glimpse into the miserable life of high school chemistry teacher Walter White, who quickly finds out he has been diagnosed with late-stage cancer. White slowly begins to realise that life isn’t exactly what he had hoped, so far, and the viewer becomes increasingly aware of the life he could have had - the co-founders of the company that White masterminded continue to rake in millions thanks to his innovations.

With his comprehensive knowledge of chemistry, and a sudden devil-may-care attitude to both physical and legal risks, White contacts ex-student Jesse Pinkman, the local crystal meth producer and dealer. Their aim is to create the very best drug on the market and get the money flowing in. Pinkman is transformed from a young and insecure small-time criminal to one of the most powerful drug barons in the southern USA. What doesn’t change though is his own substance abuse and questionable judgement. Walter White spends much of the series in a fittingly beige combo of Clark’s Wallabees, chinos and a khaki-coloured Harrington jacket, while Pinkman prefers oversized combinations with an almost hip-hop style. Towards the end of the series, though, Pinkman gravitates more towards a dark, hard-edged look, pairing jeans with a black racing jacket and dark hoodie. Get yourself a 10mm buzzcut, stubble and an air of desperation, and there you have it: Meth Chef Chic.

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders transports the viewer to the coaldust covered streets of working-class Birmingham in the years following WWI. Violence decides who’s in charge, and those in charge even get the best clothing. The series shows how thick suits in greys and blacks, blazers, overcoats, and baker boy caps can be worn in a stylish yet incredibly casual way. Don’t simply copy the style, but rather make it your own, for example by wearing Oxford and denim shirts with button-down collars rather than the white, starched collars seen in the series. This look is a particularly suitable choice for those who want to find ways to wear a blazer more often. Note the fit and, most of all, the casual and confident way the outfits are worn in the series. Take inspiration from main character Tommy Shelby by combining blazer and trousers with dress boots, an overcoat, and a tweed cap, though we should note that we would rather you didn’t keep a razor blade hidden in the bill of your cap.

Sopranos

Shortly after it premiered in 1999, the Sopranos became a worldwide sensation. In this series, we are given a genre-redefining look into the world of New Jersey mafia boss Tony Soprano. The viewer quickly gets a feel for how Soprano attempts to balance family life and fatherhood with the running of an organised crime empire. Through Tony’s regular sessions with therapist Jennifer, the viewer is given a more nuanced and rounded understanding of the character.

In terms of style, Soprano’s wardrobe covers everything from classic, somewhat large suits and flannel pyjamas to casual trousers and striking bowling shirts. Though no matter the outfit, he of course wears his gold Rolex Day-Date on his wrist, as well as numerous bracelets and rings. Unleash your inner Soprano with the look we present below.

The Wire

American series The Wire follows both law enforcement and criminals in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Its themes go beyond the typical tropes of the crime genre to look at the social dimension of life in a big city, and realistic depictions of how the organisations you are part of also dictate how your life will be. Depictions of drugs and the harsh life of the city’s dockers are mixed with mayoral elections, games of power, and even the situation in the Baltimore’s schools. A short summary of this epic series fails, however, to communicate the immersive experience of watching the series – The Wire has been dubbed the best TV series of the 00s. Lead character Jimmy McNulty, the quintessential tired and frustrated police officer with charm and style on his side, is expertly portrayed by Dominic West. To walk a mile in McNulty’s shoes, we suggest, other than the uniform of the Baltimore Police Department and a thick shirt with rolled-up sleeves, a leather jacket with a nonchalantly worn, light blue shirt or t-shirt.

Mad Men

Millions of viewers the world over obsessively followed Mad Men through all of its seven seasons and 92 episodes. The series takes place in the New York of the 1960s, at advertising firm Sterling Cooper. This was a time of more aggressive masculinity and a society permeated with gender inequality, where lead character Don Draper drinks and smokes his way through a fast-paced and rose-tinted world of impeccably cut suits and slim ties – a time where men were still expected to wear a hat. Draper is, naturally, also a serial philanderer, while wife Betty slowly begins to crack from the strain of being the picture-perfect housewife. Using ‘Mad’ to refer to advertising agencies began in the 1950s, when many of the leading firms were located on Madison Avenue. To summarise, the series is an unrivalled source of inspiration when it comes to well-dressed ‘60s style, but also a glaring example of how not to behave as a man.