Elizabeth “Effy” Stonem is the most iconic character of Skins known for their magnetic personality and looks. She plays up with her allure and dreamy vibe not only within her mannerisms, and choices but also her fashion making her the admired Skins character in the show and in real life. Though each Skins character is specifically styled to be identifiable, Effy’s look is the most recognizable and associated with the series because her fashion is the embodiment of the rebellion, beauty, and mystery that the Skins franchise holds, captured on screen throughout the course of her life
Effy is charismatic, intelligent, rebellious, manipulative, and highly cunning much like her older brother Tony who she admired greatly and was the one of the few who truly saw her for who she was. Unlike her brother, Effy is a genuine and caring person, despite not wanting to admit this herself.
Often seen as the cool mysterious party girl on the surface, Effy has much more depth to her character as she is was someone who very aware of a fragile heart that has endured severe repressed guilt, trauma, and heartbreak along with mental illness. This side of her is masked by her captivating exterior and “to hell with it all” attitude that gives the illusion of a carefree seductive girl that only a few can piece together.
Selective mutism is not a refusal to speak, but people will find themselves unable to speak yet are fully capable when in a safe setting. It is a severe anxiety disorder where people experience feelings of panic or it will trigger a response. People with selective mutism will speak freely around certain people when there is not an outer force that will trigger the freeze response. When not addressed in early childhood, this will usually manifest new anxieties around communication. This is not normally a form of manipulation or control, but in Effy’s case, she does use this to harness power over others.
Her personal style does evolve with her as a person, always remaining unique and individualistic. Her experimentation and objection to proper codes of dress with indie, grunge, and punk essences to create her distinctive look. The overall amount of pieces, eclectic nature, and spectrum of cleanliness to darkness are correlated with her mental state that many turn throughout Skins.
Effy’s go-to fashion consists of many mini skirts, leather jackets, flannels, short dresses, t-shirts, tanks, shorts, and jeans for staples that are paired off with edgier accessories such as boots with masculine essences, fishnets, tights, and heavy jewelry. She plays with the duality of skin-tight and flowing garments as well which are compliments by accessories. Typically her clothing will have an undone element such as distressed aspects or tougher materials that are matched with feminine aspects such as lace or florals. Many of the pieces Effy wore were altered to suit her style. For instance, garments were dyed and cut to suit her by the costume department. She does this both as a teenager and an adult meaning that Effy’s fashion is very authentic rather than a phase.
Effy first appears as a minor character in earlier seasons. She leads a double life as she pretends to be a shy, well-mannered girl, but in reality, is a party girl and amused by how others are mesmerized by her. During the day she looks like an average student in her school uniform and her attitude adapts to the clean and proper look, but at night she sneaks out dressed in her preferred style to party which sets the tone for her personal fashion, but in a more in a more youthful colorful manner that matures throughout the show.
Early on in her life, she had exceptionally high cognitive abilities and was a force of nature even in the eyes of her family. As a young girl, she did not talk much, in a skins short it’s evident that Effy’s limited speech was a choice. The child version of Effy who doesn’t speak as a form of protection is wearing an outfit that Effy as a teenager would wear in order to create an image that protects her later on in her life.
As she grows older she still speaks less than those around her typically holding a cold stare or a trademark wry smile. When Effy speaks there is usually an underlying meaning that is captured in a few words. Her words are very selective and carry power much like Effy’s deamour and image are very carefully curated despite the whole I don’t care facade. Due to this, she takes on the character trope of the stoic which is one who rarely acts emotionally when in highly emotional or tense situations. Their demeanor remains detached from the situation even if they are fully engaged internally.
Her fashion contributes to the detachment she shows throughout the series. Effy’s experimentation and objection to proper codes of dress with indie, grunge, and punk essences create her distinctive look and set her apart from the other characters in the series. Sociologically alternative fashion is an opposition to expected societal norms and has a visual association with idealism and rebellion. It offers differing codes of aesthetics that challenge the normally coveted ideals of aesthetics and beauty.
Alternative fashion varies and doesn’t have one specific look, but similarities can be found across the numerous subgroups that fall under the alternative label. Effy’s combination of numerous alternative subgroups references ideals that each value, ultimately giving her an evolving look that is intriguing yet distant.
Usually the stoic will have the look of boredom or dignified disdain, but when they show genuine emotion it tends to be intense or even explosive. Or very subtle hinting that there is more beneath the surface. Effy’s quiet yet erratic behavior is a result of her depression, but she does care and feel very deeply. She uses stoic behaviors to cope with her emotions and keep others at arms length, It’s a survival instinct but one that is self-confinement and suppression rather than working through emotions while dealing with her mental illness head on which ultimately leads to her psychotic break due to the build-up throughout series 3 and 4.
In the third series, Effy becomes a main character and she falls into the archetype of the femme fatale which is a woman who is mysterious, attractive, and seductive who uses her beauty, allure, and wit to intrigue men, capture their hearts then often lead them into compromising situations or ultimately their downfall.
At the start of series 3, Effy catches the eye of Cook, Freddie, and JJ who all are instantly infatuated by her. Her look and seductive behaviors capture their interests and uses them to amuse herself, she challenges the boys with a list of dares. The femme fatale archetype is typically categorized as villainous due to the moral ambiguity, unease, and mystification around the character, but like in Effy’s case, this is not always true. Effy’s moral ambiguity is a result of coping with insecurity and unwell psychological health rather than ill intent when she is young. She is manipulative for enjoyment and pushes boundaries because she cannot easily feel without doing so.
The look associated with the trope is typically the film noir nu-ar interpretation but exists in many forms within culture, folklore and myths of many cultures and modern media. For an example of the Skins’ take, Effy’s first look of series 3 consists of heavy eye makeup and undone hair. Her top is oversized, yet flowing and outlines her figure with a blue gradient. She adorns herself with numerous necklaces and bracelets that are very collective rather than cohesive. She pairs this off with fishnets and black boots that are more masculine which offsets the feminine nature of the top.
Effy’s beautiful and elusive nature in combination with her look and personal style have made her a modern femme fatale. Direct references are made in an alternative execution, for instance, simple makeup that enhances facial structure which also draws attention to the eyes. Effy holds typical attributes of the archetype such as a darker color scheme within clothing and makeup but applies them in a modern way that creates the same sense of mystery around her. She intends to use her looks to attract attention but never gives too much of herself- just the pieces that she deems acceptable to share. Her cool demeanor and I don’t care lifestyle are depicted in her over-the-top yet still understated style.
Effy develops feelings for Freddie and decides to ignore it. She instead turns to Cook for fun because he allows her to not be vulnerable, but rather live in the moment.
Effy’s looks during this time are brighter and more colorful than her typically thought-of look. She has many bold eye-catching patterns and graphics that plaster her outfits. While the looks are darker and more alternative, they have a lighter nature that is carefree and youthful. Her makeup becomes lighter and she is more fresh-faced. While this point in her life is enjoyable, Effy begins to face many issues in her personal life on top of her past.
Effy feels that attachment and vulnerability make her weak so she stays in control of every situation she is involved in, hence only letting go of that control when she feels safe with another. Throughout these hardships, her only true source of comfort was from her friend Pandora.
Pandora’s colorful looks stress Effy’s darkness. The visual contrast between Pandora and Effy is apparent, they visually stress each other’s traits: Effy is cold and composed while Pandora is warm and childlike- she has the innocence that Effy lost too young.
While Pandora and Effy are drastically different on the surface, they are actually very similar internally. She is one of the few characters that Effy’s softer side comes out around as she is someone Effy can be vulnerable with. Their friendship is one that allows for Effy’s curated exterior to diminish, giving viewers a glimpse of her true thoughts and feelings behind her image.
Effy comes to terms with her true feelings for Freddie, but by the time she is ready to be honest. Her hedonistic indulgences cause so much distress for Freddie that he moves on. Effy becomes highly distressed during this period of time after actually coming to terms with her feelings and the rejection that came along with it after the past events of her life that stunted her emotionally. With each passing episode, Effy’s looks begin to darken and become more distressed, her makeup becomes heavier and he hair is in a constant state of dishevelment.
In Effy’s episode of the series, viewers receive insight into her headspace. She starts off sporting a graphic white top with a black bra peaking out paired off with ripped black jeans along with staple jewelry. She isn’t wearing makeup and her hair is lightly undone. There is a high degree of comfortability and vulnerability that we used to see as a constant but now is only seen in private as her outfalls have progressively become darker.
When she goes camping and is around others at one of her lower points, she is back in her fashion which gives her strength and protects her. Her clothing adapts to the occasion and who she will be around in order to preserve her well-being to the best extent that she can. She uses clothing to self which can be seen in this look where she has a highly layered outfit consisting of a leather jacket, dress, sweater, leggings, and boots. The sweater is deconstructed oversized and knit in a manner that the beige dress shows through. The lines are saturated intricate and complex. She has heavy eye makeup that emphasizes her eyes and her eyebrows are precisely done unlike her hair. Her clothing acts as a shelter and she undergoes numerous troubling events for the rest of the series.
Effy cuts ties and goes with her mother to Italy after the events of series 3, When she returns she recognizes the group and then begins to date Freddie. She is seen at the end of the first episode looking much more put together. Her looks at the start of the season are back to being cleaner, her state of mind is in a composed place again. She goes back to her mysterious party girl looks, with more glam and rock references being made. For instance this mesh fabric top with a black bra underneath, slick leggings, and red Doc Martens. Her hair is down but she wears a headband along with her staple bracelets.
Though things look well on the surface, slowly Effy unravels due to her guilt and trauma which makes her much more vulnerable. Freddie’s episode, Effy begins to have her erratic behavior surface. She trusts him and he can see how she is unwell despite her attempts to hide it. Effy is only valued and loved by a majority of other characters when she’s inebriated or people view her as someone to look into because of the mysterious facade that hides her emotions are only revealed privately or in times of crisis.
Effy has endured a lot of hardship earlier on in life and does not reveal her true emotions in order to protect herself, due to how others only get to see her as a carefree, fun, and provocative girl which makes the people around her deeply fascinated by her and attracted to her. Only a few people close to her genuinely care and see past the facade.
Progresively it becomes clear that she is struggling and goes psychiatric hospital, to be treated for Psychotic depression – a mood disorder in which one will experience psychosis along with the symptoms of depression. It impacts how you feel, think, and behave which can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. With a psychotic case of depression, the hallucinations and delusions will usually focus on themes of being hopeless, loss of meaning, and failure. It makes functioning difficult since people experience distortions within reality.
Depression doesn’t have a single look. There is not a direct correlation between physical appearance and depression as everyone has a different experience and levels of energy that go into different parts of their life. When enduring negative emotions some people dress for happiness, whether that be wearing an outfit that they feel looks good or dressing for comfort. Research shows a link that wearing clothing we associate with happiness can help with mood, even when feeling low it aids in self-soothing. While in treatment she often is seen in Freddie’s hoodie. Researchers found that wearing your partner’s clothing can lower the amount of stress hormone cortisol in the brain, making the wearers feel more calm, comforted, and secure.
After her release style carries on in its collectic manner, but is executed differently. She goes to visit Freddie and changes into a green and blue fannel with a blue vest top under. Effy is wearing boyfriend jeans, which is stark different from her usual short or skintight choice of bottoms. She is no longer pushing the seductive mysterious look and has had a shift in her state of mind. Her hair pulled back and she isn’t wearing makeup.
When she returns to college she is wearing an oversized, yet structured blazer embellished with badges. A very Effy take on a classic proper piece sported with a white graphic tee, light-washed jeans, and her usual makeup style again. Throughout the season she continues to struggle with her mental health and remains in treatment. Believing that she scared Freddie off, Cook reassures her in the finale that Freddie loves her. The episode ends with her comforted by knowing Freddie’s feelings for her. She learns of his death much after the time it actually occurred which leaves her miserable in years to come, but she does learn how to better handle her mental health to build a life for herself, which we see in Skins Fire.
Effy’s outfits are much more clean and sophisticated, she has matured greatly and is trying to create a stable home environment for herself and her friend Naomi. Her clothing now consists of stronger silhouettes with clean lines, but still has head-turning patterns and detailing that is different from the typical office look. His looks are no longer spanning across a multitude of fashion subgroups and are now cohesive rather than eclectic. Though her fashion is different greatly now, her approach is very similar. It’s a more mature take on her earlier style, that is now fitting for a gorgeous, confident woman striving to move up in the workplace. In her downtime, her looks are softer, more colorful, and feminine. She no longer upholds the mysterious cool girl look.
Effy is still very charming and manipulative, but this time takes responsibility and takes on the consequences of her actions. Interestingly enough, she has her classic Effy smirk on again in her last scene but rather than being trying to be mysterious and sexy, it’s more mature, warm, and just for herself. It ends her story reinforcing the “you don’t know me at all, you never will” Effy smile that holds quiet confidence.
Effy is beautiful with a magnetic personality and look that captures the heart of those around her, often making her very romanticized or viewed in an idealized way, but is a representation of youth who have trouble with self-expression and/or worth, face mental illness on their own, and act out in order to feel something other than a negative emotion.
Her fashion often provided her a sense of comfort- whether that be self-expression to create a coveted look, using pieces as armor, or in order to self-soothe and strengthen between moments of strength and weakness.
