The extravagant outfits worn by the main characters on HBO’s hit satirical dramedy The White Lotus reveal a lot about their true nature. One character that showcases an elaborate wardrobe on the show is Rachel Patton (Alexandra Daddario), the newlywed blogger struggling to take a backseat to her affluent husband, Shane (Jake Lacy).
Torn between her modest background and her new life of extreme wealth, Rachel’s internal conflict is often reflected outwardly through the colorful clothing she sports throughout the series. From elegant haute couture and upscale fashion lines to downhome threads and modest-chic stylings, there’s more to Rachel’s wardrobe than meets the eye.
Sleeveless Top & Pink Shorts
Before proving to be one of the best characters on The White Lotus, Rachel is introduced on the show wearing a printed Whimsical Pintuck Top by Maeve at Anthropologie and matching pink Bermuda shorts with buttons by Zara. The outfit immediately establishes Rachel’s rosy demeanor, and the tucked-in top indicates her tidy organization. The matching purple lei is a nice touch.
However, it’s the curious amount of screen time that the large green expensive Goyard tote gets that really catches one’s eye. Rachel carries this bag everywhere despite her outfit, which subtly hints at her colliding worlds of modesty and newfound opulence. The big green bag (i.e. money) may even be a metaphor for the gold-digging personality Rachel is accused of having.
Teal & White Romper
In episode 3, Rachel is seen sporting a gorgeous teal and white Leaf Embroidered Romper by Mara Hoffman while eating breakfast. The colors perfectly reflect the picturesque Hawaiian surf, indicating that Rachel is becoming more comfortable in her environment. The bedazzled accentuation of sun earrings, smile necklaces, and moon rings reiterates the nature motif.
Cozy and casual, the affordable teal and white romper adorned with thin white straps and a thick white belt sash also emphasizes Rachel’s modest background, starkly opposed to the Loui Vuitton outfits worn by Nicole.
Flamingo Print Dress
With radiant hot pink and blue colors that reflect the exotic nature of Hawaii, the tropical motif is further reiterated by the flamingos printed on the dress Rachel wears in episode 2. The loose-fitting, affordable Floral Flamingos Linen Tunic Dress by Vineyard Vines is a perfect outfit to wear on a lazy afternoon by the pool to a romantic dinner.
Rachel continues to class up the outfit by adding a thick gold necklace and long matching earrings, the combination of which becomes a casual-chic fashion statement that reaffirms Rachel’s growing confidence.
Blue Shell Print Ensemble
While a casual breakfast requires casual clothing, a special diner reservation on a private charter boat requires something a little fancier. As such, Rachel dons a striking sky blue and white Valentino Shell Print Top and Pants ensemble. A perfect look for an evening at sea.
Worn on the same day as the teal and white romper, the Valentino outfit is not only breathtaking, but it once again indicates Rachel’s ambivalent lifestyle as a wealthy newlywed. With more ornate and expensive earrings and stylish white sunglasses to boot, Rachel wears Valentino with the confidence of a runway model.
Polka-Dot Blouse & Flower Print Shorts
In perhaps her most casual ensemble, there are zero pretensions about the baggy black-and-white polka dot blouse, white bra, and flowery shorts Rachel dons in the opening episode. Whereas the other characters often use their wardrobes as status symbols from the onset, Rachel begins by being her comfortable self.
Rounding out the look with a pair of wooden high-heel clogs, white sunglasses, and her giant green Goyard tote, despite how ravishing Rachel looks, the outfit tends to mismatch, which says a lot about Rachel’s status at the hotel as someone who doesn’t quite fit in with other mega-rich guests.
Navy Lace Chemise
Risqué as it may be, Rachel’s stunning Navy Chemise In Bloom by Jonquil is easily one of her most breathtaking outfits on the beloved HBO miniseries. Reserved for her most intimate moments with Shane, the sheer lace nightgown is sexy, sleek, and elegant. Better yet, the dress is less than $50 at Nordstrom Rack.
Rachel’s biggest conflict on the show is feeling like a trophy wife, sex object, and mere symbol of Shane’s wealthy success. By wearing such a seductive yet affordable nightgown, Rachel takes the power back into her own hands, tacitly expressing to Shane that no amount of money can buy her happiness. The outfit proves Rachel does not need extreme wealth to be satisfied.
Apricot Cover-Up Dress
Rachel turns heads in her Apricot Cover-Up dress by Missoni Mare, a pricey number that she sports over a white two-piece bikini in episode 2. The classy multicolored, sleeveless, Italian-made garment has zero pockets and a rear self-tie closure. Starkly opposed to some of the blue-green ensembles that reflect her beautiful eyes, the warmer-toned dress compliments Rachel’s skin perfectly.
After wearing the Flamingo print dress earlier in the day, Rachel has become more comfortable and confident and begins breaking out her more upscale ensembles, marking a subtle shift in her personality as she adjusts to her new surroundings.
Blue & White Jump Suit
One of Rachel’s absolute finest outfits is the Blue Lattice Print Jumpsuit by Vineyard Vines she wears when her mother-in-law Kitty (Molly Shannon) makes a surprise visit to her and Shane’s honeymoon. The sky blue tone pops against Rachel’s natural eye color, and the whimsical bamboo print suggests Rachel is becoming more in tune with her Hawaiian surroundings.
Of course, once Kitty shows up and discourages Rachel from pursuing a career of any sort, Rachel becomes less comfortable in her environment and begins considering divorce.
Metallic Striped Dress
Rachel is ravishing as can be in the Neapolitan-colored metallic Striped Ombre Dress by M Missoni in the penultimate episode. Ideal for an upscale night on the town, the perfectly tailored dress with rutilant gold straps and matching jewelry could not be more graceful. With black and gold matching high-heels, it’s also one of Rachel’s most complete ensembles.
Alas, Rachel wears the exquisite dress on the night she realizes that she is unhappily married to Shane, disallowing her to wear the gown with her usual self-confidence. As one of the more intelligent characters on The White Lotus, she is beginning to see the writing on the wall.
Hot Pink Dress
Rachel saves one of her most striking outfits for last when she adorns the sexy yet sophisticated hot two-toned pink Ella Dress by Devotion in the season finale. With the glaring absence of her trademark smile necklace by Lera Jewels, which she wore for most of the season, Rachel is at a marital crossroads that has made her unhappy.
In a lower-cut dress than most, Rachel has begun to shed some of the excess baggage of her dissatisfying marriage as she mulls her ultimate fate with Shane.
