It's Wednesday, and that means I'm looking forward to watching Empire tonight. From the moment Cookie Lyon (played by Taraji P. Henson) appeared on screen in Fox's hit drama about a music mogul's family, I knew Cookie would be a TV style icon. Sure, Empire is brimming with drama and betrayal, and the music is amazing, but sometimes I get fixated on Cookie's ostentatious style. It's hard not to. With her over-the-top furs, statement jewelry, curve-hugging animal print dresses, and killer heels, she steals each scene. She commands attention with her take-charge attitude and she's refreshingly unapologetic when it comes to her flamboyant style.
March 22, 2018 update - Shop Cookie's style:
March 19, 2018 update - Get inspired by Cookie's style:
December 14, 2017 update - Steal Cookie's style:
September 28, 2017 update - Get ready for the new season with some Cookie Lyon style inspiration:
Below, a look at some of Cookie's standout outfits.
Costume designer Rita McGhee, who was mentored by Ruth Carter, works with a budget of $15,000 to $20,000 for each episode. You'll often see Cookie wearing Gucci dresses, Balmain gowns, Louboutin heels, Chanel jewelry, and vintage furs. But it's not all high end. In fact, I recently spotted Cookie wearing an Altuzarra for Target dress in a recent episode - under a fur coat, of course. McGhee shops a mix of high and low fashion for the show, and borrows pieces from stylish women, including Empire music producer Timbaland's wife.
If you love Cookie's style but don't have the budget for designer labels, you can get her look for less with these pieces I've curated below. How to dress like Cookie Lyon? Think animal prints (like this leopard print dress under $20), luxe textures (like this silver snake print sheath dress under $35), bodycon dresses (see these budget friendly styles), high shine, furry fabrics (a cozy faux fur vest), and vertiginous heels (steal her Valentino Rockstud style for less with these budget-friendly studded heels or score the real deal on sale in 7 colors).
Get her look for less (under $150):
1. Floral midi bodycon dress, $26, pink faux fur jacket, $64, or faux fur vest in mauve or brown, $57.90
2. Quilted faux leather trench coat, $75.60, sequin snake embossed clutch, $45
3. Geometric print peplum top, $44.25, layered chain statement necklace, $19, faux leather leggings, $28, and faux snakeskin heeled ankle boots, $69.99
4. Snake print blazer, $112.11
5. Snake print bodycon dress, $24
6. Geo print bodycon dress, $32.90, studded strappy heels (in black, red, or pink), $60
7. Collarless cape blazer, $100 (or in taupe, $138), lace print bodycon dress, $49.80, reptile print heels, $70
What would Cookie wear? See how to dress like Cookie Lyon with two head-turning looks for less that Cookie Lyon might wear to watch her sons perform at the club or record at the studio. Naturally, I've included some of her signature pieces: furry textures, statement jewelry, bodycon dresses, animal prints, glamorous lip and nail colors, and notice-me-heels. The best part? Each piece is under $150.
Shop the pieces above:
1. Rich and famous earrings, $65
2. Floppy felt hat, $52 (similar style under $20)
3. Chain bib necklace, $16.50 (similar style with multi-chain details under $30)
4. YSL lipstick (other colors available), $35
5. Scalloped bodycon mini dress, $68
6. Ombré faux fur coat, $140
7. Lace bodycon dress, $90 (similar style in black under $50)
8. Snake embossed clutch (also in silver), $78
9. Leopard print handbag, $42 (love this style under $50)
10. Suede platforms, $135, or similar style in black, leopard, or taupe for under $30
11. Dior nail laquer, $27
12. Suede fringe heels (also in rust and mushroom colors), $149.95 (or similar style in blue or beige under $100)
This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if purchases are made by clicking links.
March 22, 2018 update - Shop Cookie's style:
March 19, 2018 update - Get inspired by Cookie's style:
September 28, 2017 update - Get ready for the new season with some Cookie Lyon style inspiration:
Below, a look at some of Cookie's standout outfits.
photos via Pinterest
Costume designer Rita McGhee, who was mentored by Ruth Carter, works with a budget of $15,000 to $20,000 for each episode. You'll often see Cookie wearing Gucci dresses, Balmain gowns, Louboutin heels, Chanel jewelry, and vintage furs. But it's not all high end. In fact, I recently spotted Cookie wearing an Altuzarra for Target dress in a recent episode - under a fur coat, of course. McGhee shops a mix of high and low fashion for the show, and borrows pieces from stylish women, including Empire music producer Timbaland's wife.
If you love Cookie's style but don't have the budget for designer labels, you can get her look for less with these pieces I've curated below. How to dress like Cookie Lyon? Think animal prints (like this leopard print dress under $20), luxe textures (like this silver snake print sheath dress under $35), bodycon dresses (see these budget friendly styles), high shine, furry fabrics (a cozy faux fur vest), and vertiginous heels (steal her Valentino Rockstud style for less with these budget-friendly studded heels or score the real deal on sale in 7 colors).
Get her look for less (under $150):
1. Floral midi bodycon dress, $26, pink faux fur jacket, $64, or faux fur vest in mauve or brown, $57.90
2. Quilted faux leather trench coat, $75.60, sequin snake embossed clutch, $45
3. Geometric print peplum top, $44.25, layered chain statement necklace, $19, faux leather leggings, $28, and faux snakeskin heeled ankle boots, $69.99
4. Snake print blazer, $112.11
5. Snake print bodycon dress, $24
6. Geo print bodycon dress, $32.90, studded strappy heels (in black, red, or pink), $60
7. Collarless cape blazer, $100 (or in taupe, $138), lace print bodycon dress, $49.80, reptile print heels, $70
What would Cookie wear? See how to dress like Cookie Lyon with two head-turning looks for less that Cookie Lyon might wear to watch her sons perform at the club or record at the studio. Naturally, I've included some of her signature pieces: furry textures, statement jewelry, bodycon dresses, animal prints, glamorous lip and nail colors, and notice-me-heels. The best part? Each piece is under $150.
Shop the pieces above:
1. Rich and famous earrings, $65
2. Floppy felt hat, $52 (similar style under $20)
3. Chain bib necklace, $16.50 (similar style with multi-chain details under $30)
4. YSL lipstick (other colors available), $35
5. Scalloped bodycon mini dress, $68
6. Ombré faux fur coat, $140
7. Lace bodycon dress, $90 (similar style in black under $50)
8. Snake embossed clutch (also in silver), $78
9. Leopard print handbag, $42 (love this style under $50)
10. Suede platforms, $135, or similar style in black, leopard, or taupe for under $30
11. Dior nail laquer, $27
12. Suede fringe heels (also in rust and mushroom colors), $149.95 (or similar style in blue or beige under $100)
This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if purchases are made by clicking links.
Get her footwear looks:
Sept 14, 2015 update - In anticipation of the season 2 premiere of Empire, Saks Fifth Avenue has curated an ultra glam Lyon family-inspired collection that would make Cookie and Lucious proud. See the entire "Empire State of Mind" collection, including clothing and accessories for men and women.
October 8, 2015 update - See Cookie's Empire season 2 style and get her latest looks for less.
P.S. Follow me on Twitter and use #Empire during and after the show to see how to score some of Cookie's pieces on a budget.
More from the Saks collection:
Shop Cookie's glam style: