TV

Detective Olivia Benson’s fashion evolution on ‘Law & Order: SVU’

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Published Sep. 20, 2019, 10:09 a.m. ET
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Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Name another television detective-slash-style-icon on the order of Mariska Hargitay’s Detective Olivia Benson in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” Go ahead, we’ll wait. And since it’s the 20th anniversary of the show’s premiere, let’s take a look back at her fashion evolution while we do so. Chris Haston/NBC
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Benson's look for the first chunk of the show was fairly standard cop-show fare: lots of baggy blazers and button-downs.
Benson’s look for the first chunk of the show was fairly standard cop-show fare: lots of baggy blazers and button-downs. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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However, she pivoted to a series of leather jackets through the middle of the show's run...
However, she pivoted to a series of leather jackets through the middle of the show’s run … ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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... including this one in Season 5...
… including this one in Season 5 … ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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... and this one in Season 8.
… and this one in Season 8. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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This 2003 look is peak Olivia Benson. It's the classic Benson bob, a little pop of color from the shirt, but otherwise all business.
This 2003 look is peak Olivia Benson. It’s the classic Benson bob, a little pop of color from the shirt, but otherwise all business. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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It's a life of mostly muted hues for a detective handling especially heinous crimes.
It’s a life of mostly muted hues for a detective handling especially heinous crimes. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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The leather jackets occasionally gave way to some lighter-weight cotton trench-style jackets. New York weather can be unpredictable!
The leather jackets occasionally gave way to some lighter-weight cotton trench-style jackets. New York weather can be unpredictable! ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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Did Olivia Benson (seen here in 2004) pioneer normcore? The answer is yes.
Did Benson (seen here in 2004) pioneer normcore? The answer is yes. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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Back in black for Season 16.
Back in black for Season 16. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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Not only has Benson's hair grown longer through the seasons, but so have her jackets: Here she is in a classic detective-style trench but — hold the phone — is that suede?!
Not only has Benson’s hair grown longer through the seasons, but so have her jackets. Here she is in a classic detective-style trench but — hold the phone — is that suede?! Virginia Sherwood/NBC
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And lest you thought Benson was all business, no party, here she is in turquoise leopard print.
And lest you thought Benson was all business, no party, here she is in turquoise leopard print. ©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collectio
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