Welcome to TV Ate My Wardrobe’s “Best of 2015” costuming series and rather than doing a straightforward countdown we’re going to do a variety of posts that look at which costumes and shows have made a huge impact this year. From items we want in our own wardrobe to pieces that got everyone talking; we want to celebrate the work of television’s best costume designers.
So far the Best of 2015 series has focused on in-depth costuming achievements from The Americans, Hannibal, Fargo and Mad Men. Plus a special You’re the Worst “Music Monday” end credits rundown and “Out of the Box” round-up.
Now is the turn of a huge range of shows we have been watching this year from network, cable and streaming with comedy, drama and all those other hard to categorize scripted offerings. There has been so many fantastic individual moments that we have had to split this post into two otherwise the scrolling would be endless.
Here is Part 2 of the standout costuming moments in 2015.
Camo Queen
Diane Lockhart is the ultimate when it comes to power dressing in the office – make sure you have at least one piece of statement jewelry – and she manages to transfer this skill to the snowy hunting climate working the all camouflage and furry hat getup like no other.
The Morning After the Night Before Award
Looking dudes killing it with their cardigan, plaid and most importantly bathrobe attire in the season 2 premiere. Patrick also hugged a tree, which was possibly the most adorable TV moment of 2015.
Hair Most Watched
When you want people to believe a HUGE character has been killed off don’t say the actor who plays him has cut his hair because for the next few months every public appearance will be under the hair watch spotlight; whether this be at Wimbledon or an airport (which also happens to be where said show is filmed). Nice suit, Kit. Sunglasses won’t protect your identity.
Inaugural Cary Agos Hot in a Hoodie Trophy
Cary Agos wore his hoodie recently much to our delight and yet we are going to give his prize to the one and only Matt Murdock who took this look to new shirtless levels in Daredevil. Rosario Dawson’s Claire also does casual cool ever so well.
Clothing Most Lived In
It would be remiss if while I was on the subject of hoodie wearers if I didn’t mention Elliot from Mr Robot and it just so happens that I started watching this yesterday (three episodes in and all I want to do is watch the rest). Elliot’s hoodie is very much part of his being and he pulls his hood up at any given opportunity. If a person could live in their clothing then Elliot would definitely live in his black hoodie with his black backpack as his home away from home.
How to Work a Sleeveless Hoodie
This is NOT A GOOD LOOK outside of a boxing movie (and even then I would probs give it a pass) and yet there is something so mesmerizing about Lee Pace in this getup. The same can be said for pretty much all of his Halt and Catch Fire costuming (dude even makes an all white suit and tee work) and this is one show I am so glad I went back to. For actual style inspiration check out everything Donna.
Best Mode of Transport
Amy Schumer’s “Last Fuckable Day” sketch was sadly all too accurate, but most of the time it is better to laugh than cry and that is exactly what Inside Amy Schumer did with this moment and many others over the super strong season 3. And Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes a rowboat look cool as fuck. Is there nothing this woman can’t do?
Smackdown of the Year
There’s a lot that can be said about the relationship dynamics on Jane the Virgin; the Villanueva women are guaranteed to get me crying at least once an episode and I am firmly in the Team Michael camp. There is one relationship that has gone from antagonistic to friendly with a whole dose of it’s complicated in-between and the Jane/Petra situation is the one which intrigues me the most. In Chapter 20 the pair entered the fantasy wrestling ring and it was as much fun as the leather wresting attire that a pregnant Jane was wearing. Petra didn’t look too shabby in her liquid silver jumpsuit. Jane the Virgin is particularly good at mixing the soapy/fantasy elements with real world in both content and costuming; this smackdown episode showcases these elements.
The Reality Show I Wish Was Real
2015 saw the end of several TV Ate My Wardrobe favorites including Kroll Show, which bowed out before it hit any kind of slump. There are many sketches that could have filled this slot – PubLIZity being a close contender – and yet it was this one off Farley piece that has me randomly saying “Look like dis.” Chelsea Peretti and Jenny Slate were my ideal Kroll Show guest stars and this included both women much to my delight.
Unexpected Character Inspiration
More reasons to adore Tatiana Maslany as not only did she deliver yet another fantastic new clone to the Orphan Black table, but she also got her initial inspiration from one of favorite places (as related to the above choice). Maslany told The LA Times that “Krystal was different because she was meant to die in the first episode. I was really into Kroll Show at the time. And I was doing PubLIZity. I was wandering around the set as Krystal in that voice, and they were, like, “We can’t kill her.” Then we started to develop her into a full character and not just me doing Jenny Slate.”
Outfit Most Inspired by Lindsay Weir
Much like Lindsay Weir, Rachel on UnREAL pretty much had her army green jacket glued to her and while Rachel’s life is definitely more of a mess there is certain Lindsay quality to her.
How to get Dressed in a Super Sexy and Snarky Manner
The Good Wife gave us the TV equivalent of blue balls squandering both Finn and Jason; instead having Alicia hook up with Johnny and Peter. At least the latter delivered on this perfect giving none of the fucks moment.
Stripes Delight
A classic look is classic no matter the decade and Virginia’s striped tee and pants ensemble on Masters of Sex is just that. If Emma Stones stripes and polka dots is my platonic ideal of an outfit then this is a close runner-up.
Most Old Hollywood
No one looks more killer (in more ways than one on this occasion) than Lady Gaga as The Countess on American Horror Story: Hotel capturing all that is glam and seductive about Old Hollywood.
Finding the Ideal Location for an Outfit that Looks Like a Painting
Every episode of Elementary is a costuming dream and Joan’s fashion palette is full of patterned delights including this stunning Victoria Beckham shirt dress; it looks like a shot of springtime against the snowy backdrop. There are several shows which use the winter shooting schedule to their advantage and Elementary is on this list (The Americans and Hannibal are two others).
International Assassin of the Year
There could only be one and the meaning behind Kevin Garvey’s suit – which Justin Theroux fits rather nicely – plays out in an incredibly surreal way in one of televisions best episodes of 2015 as The Leftovers hit new bonkers and brilliant heights.
How to Make a Silly Looking Prop Look Entirely Serious
I mean it still looks pretty silly, but I don’t want to say that too loud as Keri Russell is giving killer side eye and it’s pretty terrifying. This is also one of Elizabeth’s best wigs of the season (which is actually a slightly less wavy repeat from S2). Blonde is definitely working for her.
Unexpected Sylvia Plath Quote Usage
Master of None took one of my favorite passages from any book and used it in an unexpected way that was so unbelievably perfect. Yes I burst into tears at the reading and portrayal of the fig tree passage from The Bell Jar. Here is that incredible quote in full.
“I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn’t quite make out. I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn’t make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.”
For more Best of 2015 head here.
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