Sabrina The Teenage Witch fans have shared a wild 9/11 theory about the wardrobe of the sitcom characters, including the lead played by Melissa Joan Hart, who was known for her famous ’90s fashion.
US-based TikTok creator Mister was one fan who began speculating that Sabrina’s wardrobe changed dramatically in season six, which premiered on October 6, 2011, after the September 11 attacks.
It looked like the teenage witch had traded in her spaghetti strap tank top and mesh tops straight from the pages of Delia for more patriotic attire.
“Pov, you’re watching season 6 of Sabrina The Teenage Witch, which aired after/was shot at the time of 9/11,” Mister’s now viral video pointed out.
Sabrina The Teenage Witch was known for her fabulous ’90s fashion, from velvet dresses to stylish sweater sets, but after September 11, the cast’s style evolved
“Pov, you’re watching season 6 of Sabrina The Teenage Witch which aired after/was shot at the time of September 11th,” noted a now-viral video from US-based TikTok creator Mister
Sabrina’s Aunt Zelda, played by Beth Broderick, and Aunt Hilda, played by Caroline Rhea, stood side by side wearing red and blue to channel the flag
Commenters had a fun day sharing their memories of post-September 11 fashion, including plenty of Old Navy tops
The caption further explained that season 6 aired from October 2001 through May 2002.
“If I’m correct, every single episode from episode 2 onwards had some variation on an American theme/juxtaposition,” the eagle-eyed viewer wrote.
On TikTok, the characters’ outfits were seen adorned with American flag pins, USA text shirts, and for one particularly patriotic outfit, matching American flag boots and a button-up top.
In many scenes, Sabrina’s Aunt Zelda, played by Beth Broderick, and Aunt Hilda, played by Caroline Rhea, stood side by side wearing red and blue to channel the flag.
The video received more than 2.8 million views, 420,000 likes and almost 3,000 comments about the flag-themed fashion.
After the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, Americans went out of their way to support their country in clothing adorned with patriotic colors, whether it was American Old Navy flag T-shirts or Converse with stars and stripes.
‘You should have been there. And by ‘there’ I mean Old Navy,” one commenter joked.
“You have to balance the witchcraft with patriotism,” another viewer commented.
Commenters shared their memories of post-September 11 fashion, with red, white and blue tops in abundance.
Someone jokingly called Sabrina’s style an “election year mood board.”
“They had the wardrobe team working overtime with nationalism!” or so the story went, when the cast suddenly switched to shirts with the American flag on them
“If I’m correct, every single episode from episode 2 onwards had some variation on an American theme/juxtaposition,” the eagle-eyed viewer wrote
The teen witch traded her spaghetti strap tanks and mesh tops straight from the pages of Delia’s for more patriotic attire
“Omg old navy was RICH in this day and age,” one person joked, as the chain was famous for its 4th of July sale and clothing to match.
“Producers were NOT canceled,” one joked, while another called her “Sabrina the teen patriot.”
Others pointed out that Sabrina was far from the only show affected, as many films and television shows began dressing their characters in patriotic outfits after September 11.
“I was just talking about how the media and pop culture immediately after September 11 is so striking and interesting to watch,” one commenter explained.
And it wasn’t just pop culture, another viewer wrote, “The difference between the yearbooks before September 11th and the yearbooks after is just as big.”
Many people favored the Americana-inspired glamour.
“It was very trendy for the time, not gonna lie, the stylist here ate…it’s not easy to make the flag cute, but they did a great job, these outfits are adorable,” one fan exclaimed .
“Omg old navy was RICH in this day and age,” one commenter joked, as the chain was famous for its 4th of July sale and clothing to match
Hart is also known for being quite patriotic.
The Melissa & Joey actress tweeted on the 14th anniversary of the September 11 attacks: “Extremely disappointed in @foxnews and @CNN for not having continued coverage of the September 11 memorial and names included on the banner!!” with the hashtag ‘never forget.’
She further wrote, “My children need to know that this day changed our lives in the US and the world, and without solid reporting I am discouraged… If Kardashians can report 24/7, why can’t we? have we dedicated one day to a moment in history that changed our path?’
Hart then offered ‘Free Shipping in Honor of the 9/11 Victims, Families and First Responders’ for her now defunct clothing brand, King of Hearts.
Fittingly, the brand was also quite patriotic.
In 2017, the Clarissa Posted it All actress Facebook around 9/11 and confirmed the fashion change.
Hart revealed, “If you watch Sabrina the Teenage Witch and see me wearing an American flag around my neck, shirt, belt, etc., you know that was after 9/11 in 2001/2002!”