I was deep in a TikTok scroll spiral when a term I hadn’t heard in years stopped me mid-swipe: the ‘go-see’ look. In the modelling world, a go-see is essentially a casting call – a quick meeting between a model and an agent or client about potential work. The brief? Keep it pared back. Clean, simple, and chic. Picture a black tank, form fitting jeans, and the kind of minimal makeup that frames you as a blank canvas.
Though rooted in industry jargon, the phrase slipped into pop culture in the early 2000s thanks to America’s Next Top Model. Host Tyra Banks didn’t just deliver iconic scoldings (“I was rooting for you, we were all rooting for you!”) or dish out questionable makeovers – she also sent contestants racing across cities on regular go-see challenges, cementing the term in fashion’s mainstream vocabulary. (Fun fact for reality TV devotees: during Cycle 14’s stop in New Zealand, models were sent to local heavyweights including Kate Sylvester and Twenty-Seven Names.)
@reginaa.jay Simple yet effective
♬ original sound - Julian Sewell
So, why am I seeing this trend on my For You page in 2025? Following ANTM’s recent resurgence online, Gen Z has co-opted this model-approved look as a go-to solution for outfit indecision – providing a neutral, seemingly effortless style formula for when you’re overwhelmed by your wardrobe or trend saturation. But, while the early 2000s iteration often came hand-in-hand with a narrow ideal – prioritising ultra-slim bodies and echoing the toxic diet culture of the era – the look’s revival feels different. Today, it’s less about conforming to impossible standards and more about reclaiming the ease of simplicity, with room for diverse bodies, styles, and interpretations
Still, that leaves a question: beyond TikTok, how does the ‘go-see’ look translate in 2025 – and are models actually dressing this way for castings? With New Zealand Fashion Week returning on Monday 25th, I turned to a few local models to find out what they really wear when they’re sent on a go-see.
We asked 8 models what they wear to castings:
Izzy Cowdell
Unique Model Management
“My go to casting outfit is always simple and chic. I love to wear a cool bag and boots. This way I can show some of my personal style while looking professional!”
Sophie Song
62 Management
“I usually wear a bootcut/flare jean with a slim shirt or a body suit and pair that with boots. I wear this as it represents what I usually wear so it makes me feel confident when I walk into a casting.”
Carrie Berkey
Unique Model Management
“When I’m prepping for a casting, I prefer to keep my style straightforward and clean. As a more mature model, I like to come across as friendly and authentic. I will of course have a simple jacket, handbag and sunnies to complete the look.”
Kaarina Parker (Ngāpuhi)
Unique Model Management
“I like to wear something that I feel reflects my personality, and makes me feel confident. Fashion tells a story, and when you’re at a casting, you want to sell your personality as well as your physicality. I love a drapey black pant, with a tight top, and some kind of structured blazer or leather jacket. And heeled boots, for maximum stomping effect.”
Tekjouk Pal
Unique Model Management
“My go to outfit for a casting would be a pair of high waisted pants with a fitted top and some cute boots! I always opt for black on black because it makes me feel confident without having to do too much, less is always more!”
Maya Silwood
62 Management
“I feel most comfortable and most like myself in a pair of long shorts or jorts for castings. I’ve been loving my Francesca Pecchenino satin shorts or my Rebe denim shorts, they’re the perfect balance of chic but still cool-girl. I’ll usually pair them with a basic singlet or baby tee. In the summer, I’ll add a loafer, and in the winter, a knee-high boot. It feels like a little extra personality when I want something other than jeans, while still keeping the look clean and simple for castings”
Loïs Breukel
62 Management
“I often gravitate towards to a monochrome black look. It’s simple but makes me feel put together & confident (especially on the occasion I have to wear heels) and acts as the perfect ‘blank canvas’ for anyone I’m about to meet! Love a leather jacket with a good jean too- casual but cool!”
