Rue's 22 Most Iconic Outfits from Euphoria

July 8, 2023 - by Themba Mahlangu - 14 min read

Zendaya’s portrayal of Rue in the HBO series Euphoria is exceptional and captivating. Rue’s fashion choices on Euphoria are not just visually appealing but also help to convey her emotions. Her outfits are inspired by the 90s and skateboarding era, with her signature look being her beloved dad’s maroon sweatshirt and black Converse sneakers.

While Rue may appear introverted and shy, her fashion choices speak volumes about her character and her journey toward healing. Her muted colors reflect her reluctance to be the center of attention. Furthermore, the costume designers decided not to give Rue any bright colors or trendy looks to match the seriousness of her struggles and dark mental state. Her Tomboyish style represents her refusal to be defined by any feminine ideal, matching her gender-fluid identity.

Although Rue uses clothing as a form of expression, she puts little thought into her outfits. If we had to sum up her wardrobe in one sentence, it would probably be that her outfits give off the vibe that she just raided the lost and found box at a skate park.

In this article, we will analyze Rue’s 22 best outfits on Euphoria and delve deeper into the meaning behind her fashion choices.

  1. Rue’s Blue Sweatshirt and Sunglasses (S1EP1)

The first episode of Euphoria centers on Rue, who also serves as the show’s narrator. In this scene, She is shown taking her mother’s Xanax right before heading off to school. Rue is wearing black sunglasses to hide her dilated pupils. Her outfit includes a blue sweatshirt cropped at the waist.

Rue’s story in Euphoria begins with a glimpse into her struggles. Born just three days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, her life was almost doomed to fail from the beginning.

At a young age, Rue was diagnosed with several mental health issues, including OCD, panic attacks, and possibly bipolar disorder. She deeply cares for her younger sister, Gia. Their father’s death from cancer left Rue and her sister Gia to live with their mother. It was during this time, at only 13 years old, that Rue started to frequently abuse drugs as a way to cope with her internal struggles.

  1. Rue’s Tie-Dye Alien Oversized T-Shirt (S1EP1)

Rue’s struggle with several mental disorders has left her feeling isolated and misunderstood from a young age. As she describes it, “The world moved fast and my brain moved slow.” This feeling of not being made for this world is reflected in her choice of wearing the
* Alien T-shirt by Gosha Rubchinsky.
* She pairs the tie-dye alien t-shirt with biker shorts, her late father’s maroon sweat jacket, and black Converse.

Despite just coming back from rehab, Rue shows up at her dealer Fez who is also a friend of hers. She confesses to him that she has no intention of staying clean.

  1. Rue’s Metallic Bolt Jacket (S1EP1)

Rue was spotted in a bold maroon bow-tie top and pants, complemented by a metallic silver jacket. She opts for this more chic ensemble to attend McKay’s house party.

At the party, Rue experiences a drug-induced high that causes the entire room she’s in, along with the partygoers, to rotate. This incredible shot was accomplished with a practical set, built on a gimbal that allowed the room to spin around.

The infamous rotating room scene immerses the viewer into her experience, creating an almost palpable sense of the drug’s effects. Euphoria’s creator and director Sam Levinson wanted to find the highs and lows of drug use and bring them to life in a unique and captivating way.

Later at the party, Rue comes face to face with Jules for the first time. The two girls hit it off immediately and head home together. The costume designers used similar colors for the girls’ outfits to show a sense of harmony and a strong bond between them, even though they had just met.

  1. Rue’s Striped Olive Cardigan (S1EP2)

Rue’s determination to get her hands on drugs is evident as she braves the pouring rain and cycles to Fez’s convenience store. She is drenched from head to toe, but her sense of urgency to get what she needs is unwavering.

Her outfit for the day is an olive-striped cardigan over a striped Stussy crop top, paired with black ankle pants and her signature
* Chuck 70 Hi Top Sneakers by Converse
* . And it’s not just any pair of Converse shoes - reportedly, they belong to Zendaya herself.

  1. Rue’s Orange Hawaii Shirt (S1EP3)

Rue’s expression speaks volumes as Jules excitedly tells her about a new guy she met on a dating app. Rue is clearly skeptical, believing that
* ShyGuy118
* is just another “f*ckboy”. Little do they know that the guy in question is none other than Nate, Maddy’s on-and-off boyfriend. Some drama is about to unfold!

Rue’s outfit choice deviates from her usual style as she dons a vibrant Hawaiian shirt with orange florals and blue flames. Her Hawaiian shirt is the
* Tribal Flames Shirt by Pineapple Connection
* . Typically, Rue’s wardrobe consists of darker colors that match the seriousness of her struggles and dark mental state. Along with the Hawaiian shirt, she wears a striped crop top, black ankle pants, and Doc Marten boots.

  1. Rue’s Psychedelic Print T-Shirt (S1EP3)

After a heated argument with Jules, Rue seeks out her drug dealer friend Fez. However, Fez refuses to sell her opiates as he sees her as a little sister and is genuinely worried about her.

Rue’s unisex denim shorts and
* Oversized Psychedelic Print T-shirt by Stussy
* capture her genderfluid and tomboyish style. While her sexuality has never been confirmed, Rue is likely pansexual or lesbian, and her fashion choices reflect her rejection of traditional gender roles.

Psychedelic clothing also stands for the culture of rebellion, freedom, and self-expression that was associated with the hippie counterculture. Moreover, psychedelic prints symbolize the “mind-expanding” effects of drugs fitting the scene perfectly as Rue is desperate to get her next high.

  1. Rue’s Carnival Outfit (S1EP4)

Rue was seen at the carnival wearing a black crop top and high-waisted black jeans paired with a camel-colored duster coat. Her black Converse completed the look.

Rue is usually seen with a bare face, but at the carnival, she went for a messy improvised glitter look. Euphoria’s head makeup artist Doniella Davy shared that the glitter is strategically placed under her eyes to resemble tears, highlighting the character’s struggles with addiction and mental health.

  1. Rue’s Custard Checkered Shirt (S1EP5)

Once again, Rue’s rocking a Stussy shirt, this time the
* Geometric Short Sleeve Shirt
* . Founded by a Southern Californian surfer, the brand gained early success through its popularity in the hip-hop and skateboarding/surfer scenes. Rue’s style takes inspiration from these scenes, making Stussy a perfect fit for her wardrobe. It’s no surprise that the brand is one of her favorites, and we see her rocking it multiple times throughout the show.

And with Euphoria taking place in
* East Highland
* , a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California, the brand’s California roots are a perfect match for the show’s setting.

  1. Rue’s Maroon Hoodie (S1EP5)

Rue’s maroon hoodie, the
* Men’s Full Zip Hoodie in Maroon by Hanes
* , has a special significance in the show. It belonged to her late father, who passed away from cancer, and it is the same hoodie he had died in. The hoodie serves as a symbol of comfort and safety in Rue’s tumultuous life, and she is often seen wearing it on the show.

Rue loves to wear chunky unisex rings with gems. Her rings likely include an onyx oval petra ring and a citrine or amber ring, which perfectly complement her gender-fluid fashion choices. These rings are more than just accessories for Rue; they are a way for her to express herself.

  1. Rue’s Halloween Outfit (S1EP6)

Rue’s Halloween costume pays homage to Marlene Dietrich’s iconic appearance in the 1930 film
* Morocco
* . The film features a daring scene in which two women share a kiss, which was highly provocative for the era. Dietrich was a trailblazer for gender-bending fashion, and in the infamous kissing scene, she donned a tuxedo and a white tie, just like Rue. Marlene’s performance earned her a well-deserved Academy Award nomination and solidified her status as an LGBTQ icon.

Both Marlene Dietrich and Zendaya are award-winning icons in their respective times. While Marlene made a name for herself in the early 20th century through her daring performances that defied social norms, Zendaya has been making waves in the modern era. With her exceptional portrayal of Rue in Euphoria, Zendaya has been recognized with several awards, including two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

  1. Rue’s Marbled HD NYC T-Shirt (S1EP7)

Rue’s outfit features the
* HDNYC Marbled Tee by CNY
* paired with custom-made shorts fashioned from
* Michael Searle’s Alien Selfie Fabri
* c. The alien print is not new to Rue’s wardrobe. It speaks to her sense of not quite fitting in with the world around her.

Rue’s outfit reflects her current depressive state of mind. It’s clear that she doesn’t have the energy to care about her appearance as she binge-watches 22 episodes of the British reality show
* Love Island
* .

  1. Rue’s Detective Outfit (S1EP7)

As Rue and Lexi delve into the murky depths of Nate and Jules’ strange relationship, Rue’s detective instincts kick in, reflected in her brown pants with suspenders and handcuffs. She’s puzzled by Tyler Clarkson’s arrest for assaulting Maddy Perez and Jules’ involvement in it. Rue realizes that Nate has catfished Jules and is using her as a pawn in his dangerous game of blackmail and manipulation.

  1. Rue’s Winterformal Outfit (S1EP8)

In the season finale, Rue dons a more traditionally feminine outfit for the Winter formal, styled by Jules. As the two girls make plans to run away together, their relationship deepens, and they begin to realize their feelings for one another.

However, in a moment of clarity, Rue thinks of the impact her decision would have on her family and ultimately decides not to leave with Jules. This level of introspection and consideration for others is a departure from her usual self-centered behavior and demonstrates her growth as a character.

  1. Rue’s Dragon Vest and Pinstripe Pants at NYE (S2EP1)

Rue is known for her casual style, but on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve, she steps up her fashion game and opts for a more chic and sophisticated look. Rue’s New Year’s Eve outfit features a
* Vintage Multi-Print Kimono Wrap Vest by Jean Paul Gaultier
* and
* Vintage Pinstriped Flared Leg Pants by Roberto Cavalli.
*

  1. Rue’s Forest Green Hoodie and Red Printed Pants (S2EP2)

Despite Rue’s short-termed determination to stay clean in Season 1, she has relapsed and fallen back into drug use. Her addiction has caused significant disruptions in her life, and it’s clear that she is not in a good place emotionally or mentally.

Rue’s outfit consists of the
* VIP Hoodie designed by Fela Kuti in collaboration with Online Ceramics.
* She pairs the forest green hoodie with
* Tailored Column Jacquard Trousers by Aries
* and completes the look with black
* Converse Chuck 70 Hi Top Sneakers
* and
* Classic Crew Socks by Vans.
*

  1. Rue’s Grey V-Neck Sweater (S2EP3)

We can see Rue in the behind-the-scenes clip for
* This Is Life
* . She’s wearing an
* Oversized Varsity Sweater by Danielle Guizio
* . While being asked about the play, Rue describes it as “about love and friendship and about when you’re young everything just feels so permanent.”

It’s clear that she’s under the influence of drugs as she talks about Lexi’s play. She’s wearing tortoiseshell-pattern sunglasses to hide her high eyes.

  1. Rue’s Home Grown - Hustlers Paradise T-Shirt (S2EP3)

Rue is yet again without drugs and devises a scheme to get high for free. She approaches Fez to present her “genius” plan, saying, “All you have to do is front me 5000 dollars worth of drugs, okay?” However, Fezco immediately shuts her down, exclaiming, “Hell the f*ck no.” He doesn’t want to hear of Rue’s ridiculous plan to acquire drugs.

After Fezco refused to be a part, Rue teams up with Laurie, a deadpan drug baron. Laurie gives her 10k worth of drugs to flip for her. Before leaving, Laurie warns Rue not to betray her, or she’ll send “sick people” after her. She’s playing with fire on this one…

Rue can be seen in her signature oversized T-shirt style, this time wearing the
* Vintage Home Grown Hustlers Paradise Big Money Tee
* . The T-shirt features imprinted dollar bills and smoke which may represent Rue’s struggle with addiction and her need for money to support her habit. The word “hustler” on the shirt also speaks to Rue’s new involvement as a drug flipper.

Her T-shirt reads “Hustlers Paradise,” a motto that reflects her own version of the hustler lifestyle. While 50 Cent’s famous phrase is “Get rich or die tryin’,” for Rue it’s more like “Get high or die tryin’.”

  1. Rue’s Runaway Outfit (S2EP5)

After hearing from Jules that Rue is using drugs again, her mom Leslie wants to take her back to rehab. However, on the way there, Rue fled the car at a traffic light. We then see her running down the middle of a busy street and almost getting hit by several cars. She somehow escapes the situation unharmed.

Rue’s outfit features the
* 2wo2imes T-shirt designed by Andrew
* , paired with unisex ankle pants (possibly lincoln green dickie pants). Her worn-out Converse sneakers complete the look.

  1. Rue’s Malcolm X T-shirt (S2EP6)

Rue was seen sporting a
* 1990s Mosquitohead Malcolm X Vintage T-shirt
* , paying homage to the late American Muslim minister and civil rights activist. Malcolm X was also known for contributing to the Black nationalist ideology and Black Power movement.

Rue and Ali discuss Malcolm X and his influence on social change during a conversation in
* Euphoria’s Special Episode Part 1: Rue
* . Ali explains the meaning of a true revolution and how it relates to Rue’s journey to sobriety. “A true revolution has no allies,” he says. “It’s just that simple, because a true revolution — not a fast one, not a quick one, not a fashionable one, but a real f*cking revolution — is at its core, spiritual. It is a complete decimation of one’s priorities, beliefs, and way of living.” His message to Rue is that she must be fully committed to her sobriety to make it work.

In Euphoria season 2, episode 6, Rue calls Ali to apologize for her past misbehavior and wears the Malcolm X T-shirt as a symbol of her personal revolution. Costume designer Heidi Bivens chose the T-shirt to indicate that Rue has been taking Ali’s advice to heart and is determined to stay sober.

  1. Rue’s Peels Jacket (S2EP7)

In this scene, Rue is wearing the
* Z Jacket by Peels NYC
* , paired with a colorful orange shirt. Her friendship with Jules has been strained since Jules told her mom about her drug use.

When they run into each other in the school bathroom, Rue reflects on their relationship and how she used to believe that she and Jules were meant to be. However, it seems like their relationship may have run its course as her feelings have shifted.

  1. Rue’s Checkered Jacket at the Play (S2EP8)

In the final scene of Euphoria season 2, Rue is dressed in a grey checkered jacket and orange-colored pants. Orange is a bright and optimistic color that reflects her path to sobriety. She has gotten clean and is determined to be a better person.

Lexi’s play finally allowed Rue to see herself as just a normal human that has been through a lot, and she can reflect on her life without the usual self-judgment.

Jules tearfully admits her love for Rue at the play, but Rue chooses to walk away without reconciling, realizing that staying sober requires removing emotional triggers. She walks away from Jules to protect her and focus on her recovery.

  1. Rue’s Boho Outfit (S2EP8)

In Euphoria’s season 2 finale, we see Rue and Lexi reconnecting after a longer period of little interaction. The two have been friends since pre-school and bonded over their shared experience of losing their dads. The play made them (especially Rue) realize how much they mean to each other.

The costume designers added a cute little detail by choosing complementary colors for their outfits to highlight their reconnection. Rue is wearing an earth-toned boho top and capri pants.

In the closing scenes, we witness Rue’s triumph over her addiction as she successfully manages to stay sober throughout the rest of the school year. However, the question of whether she can maintain her sobriety remains unanswered, and fans are eager to see what Season 3 holds for her character.

Rue's 22 Most Iconic Outfits from Euphoria · Advantch