Make Like: Veronica Lodge

I must have spent hundreds of childhood hours poring over my prized and expansive collection of Archie comics. Like many other girls before and after me, I of course was most entranced by that pair of teenage vixens, Betty and Veronica. How did they manage to remain such close friends while dating the same guy? Where did they get all those fabulous outfits? How did two sixteen-year-olds have such gravity-defying sets of double Ds? Well, the first and last questions will probably never be answered, but at least now I can come up with similar ensembles, no trip to Riverdale required.

Although as a kid I was more like friendly, tomboyish Betty, I always preferred Veronica -- the ultimate rich bitch. (In fact, could those comics have been where I first developed my penchant for high heels, short skirts, and shopping sprees? Possibly so!) We'll get to Betty later, but first here's my take on how to cop Veronica's sexy, luxe fashion sense -- whether you've got access to Daddy's credit cards or not.

Click for full-size.

1.) Veronica is Riverdale's number one celebutante, so big sunglasses (like these from Fred Flare) are an absolute must.

2.) Although her style changes with every artist who draws her, the classic Veronica look stems from her original incarnation in 1942 -- a pin-up bombshell clad in a color palette of red, black, and white. This cherry-red Fred Flare bomber jacket is a casual take on that style.

3.) A fitted, '50s-style blouse (like this one from Forever 21) appeals to Veronica's classic, sexy sensibility, and the belted waist shows off those killer curves.

4.) So what if you can't afford real diamonds? This giant purple rock from Twelve By Twelve satisifes your thirst for glamour.

5.) For Veronica, when it comes to jeans, they've got to be dark, they've got to be slim, and they've got to be skintight. I think this Forever 21 pair will do just fine.

6.) A status handbag wouldn't be out of the question for a rich girl like Miss Lodge. The rest of us will have to settle for designer inspired, like this tote from Shop Suey Boutique.

7.) Think of Veronica as the Victoria Beckham of Riverdale -- clearly she'd never be caught dead in flats. This red croc-print pair from Cutesy Girl would be her "casual heels."

8.) Diamonds are a Lodge girl's best friend. For those of us who don't have free reign with Daddy's Visa, cubic zirconia studs from Forever 21 will do fine -- just don't tell anyone!

9.) In more recent years artists have often abandoned Veronica's signature lipstick in favor of something a little more subdued, but you can slick on a fire-engine shade of red (by Dior, naturellement!) in memory of a simpler time. A time when sixteen-year-old sexpots were perfectly acceptable.

10.) Chanel No. 5 is a little heavy for a high schooler, even one as glam as Ronnie. Coco Mademoiselle is lighter but just as luxe.

11.) Going out calls for a cover-up that's a little more sophisticated than a hoodie. This black-and-white houndstooth swingcoat from Forever 21 is so Veronica.

12.) The LBD? Boring. A true Lodge would spring for a LBBD -- a Little Black Beaded Dress, like this fancy confection from Twelve By Twelve.

13.) Pearl drop earrings (these are from Forever 21) are classically sexy, just like V.L.

14.) This ostrich-print Urban Outfitters evening clutch is slim enough for only the essentials: red lipstick and a credit card or two.

15.) Veronica would never be subtle when she could be sensational. A pearl-cluster cuff (like this one from F21) with pearl earrings and a pearl-beaded dress? Absolutely. Sometimes, more is more.

16.) The nails? Always, always, always red. The polish? Chanel Midnight Red, obviously.

17.) Pumps in an unexpected color make an elegant outfit pop -- these canary-yellow platform heels (reminiscent of the highly coveted and exorbitantly priced Yves St Laurent "Tribute," no less) will do the trick (from Cutesy Girl).

Further inspiration:

"Betty and Veronica" comic book covers from the 1950s...

...and the 1990s. Click for full-size.

The Archies' "Sugar Sugar" cartoon video, 1969.

Browse "Veronica" comic book covers (and more) on CoverBrowser.

Vintage and back-issue "Betty and Veronica" comics on Ebay.

A Betty and Veronica dress-up game, complete with bad '90s outfits.

Did you know Veronica has her very own blog at ArchieComics.com?