Okay, so I’ve been wanting to put together an Ashley Banks costume for a while now, you know, from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” That show was my jam back in the day, and Ashley’s style was always so cool and colorful. So, I finally decided to go for it, and let me tell you, it was a bit of a journey!
Getting Started
First, I started by scouring Pinterest for inspiration. I found a whole bunch of boards dedicated to Ashley’s outfits. Seriously, the dedication of some people is amazing. They had every single outfit she ever wore, neatly categorized. I spent hours scrolling through these boards, saving the looks I liked the most.
Hitting the Stores
Armed with my phone full of screenshots, I started hitting up thrift stores and online shops. The goal was to find pieces that were similar to what Ashley wore, but you know, without spending a fortune. I figured a thrift store would be my best bet for some of those vintage 90s pieces.
- The Shirt: I found this really cool short-sleeved button-down shirt at a local thrift store. It wasn’t exactly like any of Ashley’s, but it had the right vibe. The colors were bright and it had that loose, 90s fit. Score!
- The Jumper: This was the trickiest part. I looked everywhere for a dark-blue jumper that looked like the one Ashley wore. I finally found one online, but it was a bit pricey. After a lot of debating, I decided to splurge a little. After all, the jumper really makes the outfit, right?
- Accessories: I kept the accessories simple. Just some big hoop earrings and a colorful scrunchie for my hair. Easy peasy.
Putting It All Together
Once I had all the pieces, it was time to put the outfit together. I tried on the shirt and jumper, and it was like stepping back in time. I threw my hair up in a high ponytail with the scrunchie, put on the hoop earrings, and bam! Instant Ashley Banks.
The Final Look
I was pretty stoked with how the costume turned out. It wasn’t an exact replica of any specific Ashley Banks outfit, but it definitely captured her style. It was fun, it was colorful, and it was totally 90s. I wore it to a costume party, and everyone loved it. I felt like I was a character in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” all over again, only without the whole moving to a mansion in Bel-Air part.
This whole process was a blast. It was like a little treasure hunt, searching for the right pieces to bring the costume to life. And the best part was, I got to relive a bit of my childhood in the process. If you’re thinking about doing an Ashley Banks costume, I say go for it! Just be prepared to spend some time searching for the perfect pieces. It’s totally worth it in the end.
