White T-shirt Style Inspired By The Bear

The White T-Shirt Hegemony: How ‘The Bear’ Redefined Television Fashion

With the arrival of its fourth season, the television series The Bear has pivoted the fashion conversation. The initial focus on Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto's iconic white top has been surpassed. All eyes are now on Sydney Adamu, the quietly proficient sous chef whose part is played by Ayo Edebiri. Her own simple white top has captured the internet's imagination, creating a significant cultural ripple. This change signals more than a fleeting trend; it points to a deeper evolution in how audiences connect with character style, prioritising authenticity over aspiration.

The phenomenon started with Carmy, whose role is taken by Jeremy Allen White. The character's perfectly fitted white tee became an object of obsession. The frenzy for his look crashed the website of the German heritage brand, Merz b. Schwanen, makers of the €79.90 shirt. This surge in popularity helped catapult Allen White to a new level of stardom, landing a major modelling campaign with Calvin Klein. Now, Sydney’s t-shirt is having its own moment, indicating that the show's sartorial influence runs deeper than a single character.

Image Credit - GQ

A Tale of Two T-Shirts

Sydney's top comes from Everybody.World, a small independent brand based in the US. The shirt mirrors the form-fitting style that her unpredictable supervisor favours. Worn by Sydney during a prep scene in the season's premiere, it carries a different narrative weight. The shirt is designed for anyone to wear and costs a fraction of Carmy's designer choice. This detail subtly underscores the show's exploration of professional respect and equality. The selection of this particular piece is a deliberate act of character building, reflecting a set of values that resonate with a modern audience. This suggests the series delves into themes more complex than just high-stakes kitchen drama.

The choice of Everybody.World is significant. Unlike established luxury houses, the brand is a lesser-known independent company with a strong focus on ethical production. Based in Los Angeles, the company has built a unique and traceable North American supply chain. It champions the use of post-industrial waste, transforming leftover cotton fibres into new fabrics. This commitment to sustainability and fair-wage local production is woven into the identity of Sydney's character, creating a form of narrative shorthand that speaks volumes.

The Rise of Authentic Style

The modern television audience is incredibly fashion-conscious, according to Julie Garlejo. With a background in fashion photography, she created the popular Instagram page @thebearoutfits. This account meticulously documents the apparel worn on the show. Garlejo explains that audiences now demand more than just plot; they seek believable characters whose fashion choices look like something seen in everyday life. This indicates a transition away from overly dramatic costuming to a style that feels genuinely worn and personal. The apparel seen on The Bear is perceived not as costuming, but as an actual wardrobe.

This appetite for realism is part of a larger cultural trend. Television has gained significant artistic respect. As a result, the apparel seen on television actors now shapes and mirrors broader societal trends. The influence is reminiscent of series such as Sex and the City or Mad Men, which famously drove product sales for major designers including Manolo Blahnik and companies like Lucky Strike. Yet the impact of The Bear feels different. It champions a subtler form of influence, one that celebrates understated quality and independent spirit over conspicuous branding.

Quiet Luxury on the Small Screen

The aesthetic of The Bear aligns with the "quiet luxury" trend, a movement prioritising craftsmanship and high-quality materials over logos. This style, popularised by shows like Succession, signals a shift in consumer preferences towards timeless, logo-free apparel. It represents a departure from the overt branding that dominated previous eras. Instead, the focus is on intrinsic value and sophisticated, understated design. The wardrobe choices in Succession, with their emphasis on impeccable tailoring and fine fabrics, helped cement this aesthetic in the cultural consciousness.

The Bear translates this concept to a grittier, more relatable context. While the characters in Succession inhabit a world of immense wealth, the team at The Original Beef operate in a space defined by financial struggle and hard work. Carmy’s wardrobe, featuring vintage Ralph Lauren alongside his premium German-made t-shirts, hints at a past life in fine dining. In contrast, Sydney’s clothing is sourced from small designers or second-hand stores, a deliberate choice by the costume design team to reflect her values and her professional journey.

Image Credit - Hulu

The Meticulous Work of Costume Design

The authentic feel of the show’s wardrobe is the result of meticulous research and collaboration. The design work of Lariana Santiago, the assistant designer, and head costumer Courtney Wheeler involves immersing themselves in the world they are creating. Their process begins with speaking to people who work in professional kitchens, including the show's culinary producer, Courtney Storer, and co-star and real-life chef, Matty Matheson. This dedication to accuracy extends to sourcing specific items, like the back-ordered blue aprons from Bragard, which required them to have the company search its warehouse for remaining stock.

Wheeler and Santiago also engage directly with the show's dedicated fanbase. Garlejo of @thebearoutfits communicates directly with the costume team, creating a dynamic relationship between the show and its followers. She characterizes her method as a combination of sleuthing and intense dedication, involving closely examining brand emblems and reverse image searches. This online community of "detectives" often works in tandem with the designers, identifying pieces and sharing information, further fuelling the interest in the show's style. The designers have even shared behind-the-scenes albums of inspirational photos.

A Launchpad for Independent Brands

For small companies, being featured on a show like The Bear can be transformative. Following the broadcast of the initial season, the t-shirt from Merz b. Schwanen, worn by Carmy, was an instant sell-out. Similarly, a Madewell jacket with a $600 price tag, crafted from repurposed blankets and seen on Sydney, was gone within hours. The impact extends beyond the main characters. Ariel Katz, co-founder of Everybody.World, reported significant interest in Sydney's t-shirt and an overnight tote after viewers pinpointed the items. The tote also quickly sold out.

This phenomenon highlights a powerful shift in the dynamics of fashion and media. Television shows are increasingly becoming launching pads for indie brands that align with a character's values. The bond that audiences form with the characters translates into a desire to engage with the brands they wear, creating a potent, organic form of marketing. This offers a vital lifeline to smaller businesses, allowing them to reach a global audience without a massive advertising budget. The "lived-in" feel, enhanced by talented ager-dyers who make new clothes look perfectly worn, adds to the appeal.

The Evolution of an Actor’s Style

The show's influence is amplified by the personal style of its actors. Ayo Edebiri, in particular, has become a fashion star in her own right. Her style evolution has mirrored her rapid rise in Hollywood, moving from more playful and adventurous looks to sophisticated and powerful ensembles from designers like The Row, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. Working with stylist Danielle Goldberg, Edebiri has cultivated a refined red-carpet presence that complements, rather than overshadows, her acclaimed performances.

This synergy between her on-screen character and her off-screen style creates a compelling narrative. Edebiri previously mentioned to the New York Times how important her fashion has been for her ascending career. Her choices, both on and off the red carpet, are seen as a reflection of her identity and growing power within the industry. This has made her a sought-after figure for designers and has amplified the fashion conversation surrounding both the actor and the show.

Image Credit - Vogue

The Grit and Reality of Chicago

The city of Chicago is central to the identity of The Bear, and its visual look is deeply rooted in the city's streets, architecture, and atmosphere. The production films extensively on location, grounding the story in a tangible reality. The fictional restaurant itself is based on the real-life Mr. Beef in River North, a family-owned sandwich shop where the show's creator, Christopher Storer, once worked. Key scenes are filmed inside the actual restaurant, capturing its authentic, no-frills character.

The series showcases a range of Chicago neighbourhoods, from the creative energy of Wicker Park to the historic Music Box Theatre in Lakeview. Viewers are taken on a culinary tour of the city alongside Sydney, visiting acclaimed local spots like Kasama and Publican Quality Meats. This deep integration of the city not only provides a rich backdrop but also functions as a character in its own right, shaping the lives and struggles of the individuals on screen. These real locations add layers of authenticity that resonate with viewers.

Form Follows Function: Kitchen Attire

The show's fashion raises a key question about practicality: would a professional chef really work in such attire? Traditionally, the chef's uniform, known as "chef's whites," was established in the 19th century to signify cleanliness and professionalism. A clean jacket at the end of service was seen as a mark of a skilled and tidy chef. Modern kitchens, however, have seen a shift, with black and other colours becoming more common to hide stains.

Many chefs today prioritise comfort and function. Loose-fitting trousers and breathable fabrics are essential for mobility and staying cool in a hot kitchen. Some chefs opt for a double-breasted jacket, which allows them to fold over a stained flap for a clean appearance when facing customers. Ultimately, the choice often depends on the restaurant's style and whether the kitchen is open to public view. As one North London chef noted, restaurants are a type of performance, and a crisp white top can contribute to this presentation aspect.

The New Media Landscape

The cultural impact of television fashion is being amplified and accelerated by social media. Fan-run accounts dedicated to chronicling on-screen outfits create a direct feedback loop between the audience and the production. This online ecosystem dissects every clothing choice, identifies brands, and provides a platform for discussion and obsession. The lines between costume design, character development, and consumer trends are becoming increasingly blurred. What a character wears is now an integral part of their story and a powerful driver of cultural conversation.

This trend is not limited to a single show. A 2024 analysis revealed significant spikes in fashion-related searches linked to series like Ripley and Challengers. Period dramas such as Bridgerton continue to influence trends like "Regency-core," while other shows spark interest in Y2K styles or dystopian aesthetics. This demonstrates the broad and varied power of on-screen storytelling to shape how people dress. It marks a new era where television is a primary force in the ever-evolving world of fashion.