Entertainment
Leslie Knope's 'Parks and Rec' Style Evolution From Frumpy Mess to Bossy Bangs
All good things must come to an end, like a stack of delicious waffles from JJ's and our favorite small-town government show, Parks and Recreation. Season 7 of Parks and Rec will surely be a tough goodbye, but instead of focusing on the bad, let's focus on the good. Yes, this is the final season of the NBC loved show, but, if Leslie Knope's style evolution from Season 1 until the end of Season 6 is any indication, this is going to be her best dressed season yet — bangs and all.
When I think Leslie Knope, I think power suit, and not just one power suit, because Leslie Knope has a ton of power suits. Since Season 1, Leslie has dressed the part of a powerful government employee, because you know what they say — dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Much like the photos of Hilary Clinton, Condolezza Rice, and Janet Reno in her office, Leslie's style proves to be the clothing of a Secretary of State, or the Attorney General. Throughout the past six years though, Leslie's style has modernized much like her department, and has even adapted to new positions she has had within the Pawnee government, because obviously a City Councilwoman can't dress the same way as a Deputy Director of Pawnee's Parks and Recreation department.
Image: Colleen Hayes/NBC
Season 1
Season 1 had to start off with the Leslie Knope tweed power suit. And since it is what she was wearing when she met her BFF Ann Perkins, I have a theory that she immortalized the suit, preserves it behind a glass frame, and only wears it on “Friend Day.”
Image: NBC
Season 1
One of the few times Leslie is sans suit jacket, you might not even recognize her.
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Season 1
Six seasons later and I still think about this bizarre bow, almost daily.
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Season 2
If you were ever worried about what to wear to a penguin wedding, please use this as a guide.
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Season 2
Or if you need to cut the majority of community classes, a sweater might make you seem less “Dream Crusher” as seen here.
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Season 2
Leslie’s “dinner party chic” ensemble.
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Season 3
Leslie’s jacket kind of reminds me of a riding jacket here, which makes complete sense because she is standing with Li’l Sebastian (you just can’t see him because he is “Li’l”).
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Season 3
The “a lover’s gaze” ensemble. Soft and feminine.
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Season 4
Season 4 was Leslie’s power season, which is why I think she wore so much red.
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Season 4
Even in sweater form, she is still wearing red.
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Season 4
Of course her election outfit was a classic Knope look that screams patriotism.
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Season 5
Leslie Knope goes to D.C., and looks better than ever.
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Season 5
It was quite the sigh of relief to see that Leslie’s party wear has been upgraded from the purple silk dress to a true LPD (little purple dress).
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Season 5
One of her best. Hands down.
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Season 6
She might have just lost her dream job as City Councilwoman, but her yellow blouse still screams happy.
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Season 6
And when she became the boss in the three-year jump at the end of Season 6, her style demanded an upgrade, too.
Image: NBC
