Penny from The Big Bang Theory is the ultimate girl next door (literally–she started as Leonard and Sheldon’s neighbor). She’s been the main female lead of one of TV’s biggest shows for almost ten years, but she also has a more relaxed, relatable style than most leading ladies.
Penny’s go-to outfit formula is a familiar one for college girls: blouse or button-down, blue jeans (skinny or boyfriend), and cute flats. Sure, her versions of these pieces may be from brands a little outside your typical budget — like Rails, Equipment, Joie, and Rebecca Taylor — but that doesn’t mean her style isn’t easily imitated.
Read on for three different ways to channel this funny lady.
Look #1: Casual Cool
Products: Tee – Dorothy Perkins, Jacket – Saks off 5th, Jeans – River Island, Sneakers – Vans, Bag – Ebags.
A floral top is a Penny classic, as are a great pair of mid-wash skinny jeans. This casual look is exactly like what Penny would wear to order copious amounts of Chinese takeout with her geek squad, or when she’s forced to drive Sheldon to the comic book store.
When it gets chilly in Pasadena, Penny likes to throw on a go-with-everything army jacket like this one for an effortlessly stylish vibe. Although I could see her finishing this look with any number of shoes, from little ballet flats to tall boots, slide sneakers are a comfy, on-trend, and Penny-approved choice. Bag-wise, Penny loves a practical hobo style.
Look #2: Easy Shirtdress
Products: Dress – Nordstrom Rack, Flats – Nordstrom Rack, Bag – Century 21, Earrings – Banana Republic.
When Penny gets tired of her tried-and-true jeans formula, her backup plan is a cute, breezy shirtdress — it’s like the dressy cousin of her favorite flannels. A dress like this would work with all sorts of different footwear, but I think shoe nut Penny would be particularly partial to these flats with a trendy ankle-tie detail.
Penny rarely does jewelry, so delicate earrings or a little necklace are all you need. Penny would wear this on weekends or for casual work meetings, but for college girls it’s a great outfit for everything from class to a coffee date.
Once again, grab a roomy hobo bag and you’re ready to hit the road (but be aware that your car’s check engine light is on — you may want to look into getting that fixed).
Look #3: Dressed Up
Products: Dress – Last Call, Heels – Just Fab, Clutch – Dorothy Perkins, Necklace – Aeropostale.
Though we don’t often get to see Penny get dressed up on the show, when she does she often opts for something sweet and girly, like a fit-and-flare dress. I think she’d be a fan of this painterly floral print.
As I said before, jewelry isn’t a big part of Penny’s look. But she does have a little heart-shaped pendant that she loves, which adds a sweet touch to any look. As we learned many seasons ago, Penny has a total weakness for shoes, especially pink pumps with girly details, like this adorable pair. Finish with a clutch and you’re ready for a night on the town! Just don’t let Sheldon have any booze.
What do you think?
Do you watch The Big Bang Theory? Are you a fan of Penny’s style? Which of these looks would you most like to wear? Let me know in the comments!
I am looking for the skirt Penney wore in season 1 episode 9. who sells it?
I’m a big Penny/Kaley fan and I don’t see Penny in skirts/dresses that often. On the other hand, I’m not sure Amy even owns a pair of pants and who in Los Angeles wears pantyhose that often? I’m surprised Mayim doesn’t protest. Bernadette used to be as bad as Amy but dresses more like a normal person now. If you’re going to have a girl wears skirts/dresses the most often, why not the hot blonde?