Veronica Lodge & Betty Cooper: Our Fashion, Feminist and Friendship Icons

Veronica Lodge & Betty Cooper: Our Fashion, Feminist and Friendship Icons

By: Avery Meade

***Spoiler Alerts Up Ahead***

As the revamped version of the Archie comics, Riverdale brought the handsome and heroic K.J. Apa, the charming and lovesick Casey Cott, and the bad boy Dylan Sprouse into our lives. It also brought us our new inspirations: Lili Reinhart and Camilla Mendes. Not only is the friendship between their characters, Veronica and Betty, enviable, it is real and honest. It has highs and lows. They criticize each other while also looking out for one another. Beyond the clothes and money, Veronica is just a girl who wants to belong in a world where she so clearly does not. Underneath the high strung spirit, high neck collar, and high pony tale, Betty is just a girl who is waiting for the right person to break her out of her shell. They balance each other out. They really are the perfect friendship match despite their extreme differences. Their relatability is not drawn from the sometimes cheesy script, but their many flaws, fights and, despite it all, their ability to stick up for each other.

Not only is their friendship enviable, but their style is, too. Veronica is overdressed for nearly every single occasion, which must get exhausting. It is also extremely impressive, since I have rarely ever seen a high school T.V. character not wear jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers. I have always loved getting dressed up for school and I feel like (minus her Hermes bags) she is relatable as she is always trying to make a good impression. This is where Betty is similar, yet different. Though their looks are both reserved and professional, Betty’s high strung, nervous spirit comes out in her conservative outfits. They almost always include pink sweaters with a polo underneath. Because Betty is an aspiring journalist, she loves looking professional and appropriate, similar to V (Veronica) in that way. Though their style appears quite different, their intentions are similar. They desire to look professional, appropriate and comfortable (in their own individual ways).

Why are they both feminist icons? Riverdale has done a good job of portraying subjects such as rape, sexuality, suicide, death, teen pregnancy and more with their characters. Veronica is not afraid of her own sexuality, even when it comes to the s*** shaming she experiences. She also sticks up for other girls when the same happens to them. Betty is a different story. Though she has a vengeful, dominatrix alter ego (which we are still not sure what that’s about), she too, in her own way, wants revenge for the girls and to stand up for her sister. In a recent episode, Cheryl is the one who nearly gets raped by Veronica’s friend, Nick. What unfolds is a classic and all too familiar scenario of the public not believing the accuser, someone paying someone off to keep their mouth shut, and everyone pretending nothing ever happened. The situation takes a depressing path as even Cheryl’s own mother thinks she is making it all up for attention, until she finally gives in and believes her. We, as young women, are always taught to be tough and stick it out. However, we also need sensitivity and compassion because scary things don’t stop being scary just because you have strength. I think the way this played out on T.V. was powerful and necessary. Her defense of those girls was inspiring and though fanciful, gives way for hope that there are people out there with qualities similar to those of Betty and Veronica.