The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Turns 26 Today! Let’s Talk ’90s It-Girl Hilary Banks

Momentous news, everyone: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air first premiered exactly 26 years ago today (episode one aired on Sept. 10, 1990!). And while Will Smith is cool and all that, there’s only one real star fashion watchers were paying attention to. Yup—Miss Hilary Banks, portrayed by actress Karyn Parsons.

While we know that Will became a mega-movie star, the Carlton dance is probably the best move ever, and, wow, Ashley really has really grown into a beautiful, well-dressed woman, we’ll always have a soft spot for Hilary Banks, Will’s spoiled, trend-obsessed, matching-hat-and-suit-wearing cousin. So let’s celebrate Bel-Air’s It-Girl the way she would want it—through fashion, duhhh.

Remember when she brought home a younger version of her posh upper-crusty father Philip in the form of Theo Huxtable Malcolm Jamal Warner’s Eric? After getting in a fender bender with Will, Eric ended up suing Hilary’s dad. Oops. At least she looked smokin’ hot in an off-the-shoulder body-con LBD and black sheer hosiery.

The name of the episode—”Hilary Gets a Job”—kind of says it all. Totally meant for Hollywood, Hilary lands a gig as a weather girl for the local station. There, the glamour girl catches the eye of future (and ultimately doomed) boyfriend news anchor Trevor. Do you think she purposely matched her outfit to the weather map?

Not quite sure what Hilary is up to with poor, long-suffering butler Geoffrey and a suction dart, but we can totally get behind Hilary’s coordinated black-and-white polka-dot pants, scrunchie, and hoop earrings combo. Amazing.

MORE: There’s a Fresh Prince Reboot Coming to TV!

During Will’s season-three graduation episode, Hilary gets a jump on the Alexa Chung signature layering-over-a-white-button-down-shirt-look. Although, the SoCal girl opted for more of a “puffy shirt” silhouette layered under a zippered bustier/vest matched with a maxiskirt.

While attempting a dramatic proposal that involves bungee jumping, things didn’t exactly work out for poor Trevor. On the bright side, Hilary did get to wear her poufy wedding gown, accessorized by a white choker, pearl-accented rosary (so ’90s!) and fascinator/veil hybrid that would make Kate Middleton jealous.

In an attempt to get over Trevor’s untimely demise, Hilary drags a skeptical Will to a TV psychic. The aptly named Scorpius puts a hex on Will, turning the fun-time guy into a bad-luck charm. But, more important, Hilary wears this glorious embroidered turtleneck skirt suit and hat ensemble.

In an also awesomely named episode, “Fresh Prince After Dark” (racy), Hilary gets an offer to pose in Playboy. But first she stayed covered up in this risqué (and very now) cutout dress and matching heels outfit. This is also a gratuitous moment to gaze at a shirtless, flip-flop-wearing Carlton. Plus, Will is rockin’ socks and sports sandals.

This may be my favorite all-around scene right here. First off, Geoffrey teaches Hilary how to TOAST BREAD (like in a pop-up toaster) and our favorite Bel-Air princess is doing her nails. In the kitchen. And doesn’t her cutout dress totally look like something Cushnie et Ochs would send down the runway? That Hilary, so ahead of her time.

With her adorably self-absorbed princess-y ways, obviously, Hilary was a natural for TV. (Don’t you think she’d be starring and sparring on a Real Housewives of Bel-Air at this point?) The series ended with Ms. Banks hosting her own talk show in New York, but first she co-hosted with Regis Philbin on a pre-Kelly Ripa era Regis and Kathy. Even though she managed to get onto the wrong side of a usually good-natured Reeg, Hilary looked chic and refined in a blocked black and white peplum suit. I miss you, Hilary!

For a final little birthday treat, get ready to remember how Will arrived in Bel-Air for the very first time…