One last Behind the Insta-Scenes for 2015 and as you can probably gather there is not a lot of set action going on right now. Instead we have plenty of fun holiday hangouts, festive decorations and some red carpet treats because some of the Star Wars cast never stop working.
Daisy Ridley is back on premiere duty for The Force Awakens and as “Out of the Box” is concluding its Best of 2015 countdown this is the only place to shower praise on another excellent red carpet dress choice. This time Ridley has gone for super floral purple Jason Wu.
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.
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 1 of the standout costuming moments in 2015.
Most On Point Accessorizing
What better way to appease the dragon that has done a runner than wear a necklace bearing a very familiar image and this comes in particularly handy for Daenerys in “The Dance of Dragons” when Drogon makes a very timely entrance. The influence of Daenerys’ heritage has been visible throughout the texture of her costuming which at times has been scaly in appearance. Yunus & Eliza designed this stunning piece (click here for a closer look) and it really is fit for a queen.
The Leather Jacket Award
As with last year there have been a whole slew of leather jacket wearing stunners, but there is one lady who takes wearing this garment to every outfit level and that is Jessica Jones. Not pictured are the very 90s looking jeans that are also glued to her body pretty much all of the time and this signature look makes sense when the show takes a deep dive into her backstory.
Who Rocks a Lot of Polka Dots
Cookie Lyon has gone through a style evolution since she was released from prison going from matching animal prints to high end garments as she has caught up with trends and got accustomed to her wealth. One of my favorites is this Dolce & Gabbana polka dot blouse; perfect for a dramatic exit and a fun take on the tablecloth party trick. Cookie’s always going to eat.
Best Mustache – 1980s Edition
Not only did Oscar Isaac take dancing in dad jeans to Bruce Springsteen to new levels, but he also worked this mustache in ways I did not think possible in Show Me a Hero. The mini-series from David Simon is terrific and devastating and not just for the 80s fashion. And even several months after watching it still makes my heart ache when I think about Oscar Isaac’s performance.
Best Mustache – 1970s Edition
Of all the Mad Men characters who would embrace a new decade with some additional facial hair it really makes sense that it would be Roger Sterling. It could easily be kinda skeezy (and of course Roger has entered this territory on more than one occasion), but there’s also something elder statesmen about it and that’s what he is. And I would happily watch an endless loop of Roger and Peggy hanging out in their now deserted office.
Top Hat Placement and Male Nudity on Cable
Alleviating the awkward of the first time with cute top hat parlor tricks is Bertie on The Knick and it is all around adorable. While this is the most of Michael Angarano that we get to see, cable has embraced male nudity this season on a level we haven’t previously seen with both The Leftovers and The Affair showing far more dudes naked than women this year. Game of Thrones you have some catching up to do.
#LadySuitWatch2015 Shorts Winner
My response to seeing Abbi as Val for the first time is pretty much the same as Ilana’s jaw on the floor expression:
Ladysuits of the shorts variety are classic cabaret attire and I am so here for this Judy Garland/Liza Minnelli style and singing mashup inspiration.
#LadySuitWatch2015 Patterned Shirt Winner
Denise is not only stylish as hell as demonstrated by her movie premiere ladysuit wearing ways, but she is also one of the best things about Aziz Ansari’s excellent Master of None helping make a citizen’s arrest in the stellar “Ladies and Gentleman” and offering up sound dating advice (even if she ends up ignoring it).
The Outwear and Boots Crime Fighting Title
Season 3 of The Bridge (Broen/Bron) lost one of its main stars, but didn’t lose any of its quality introducing a new partner for Saga who turned out to be just as compelling (if not even more so than his predecessor – sorry Martin). Style wise the pair complement each other rather well favoring classic coats and boots for their crime fighting attire; Saga is still all about the olive leather pants and Henrik also tucks his trousers into his boots because who wants those flapping in the wind while running after a suspect.
Best Reason to Invest in a Big Warm Coat
Fortitude is part X-Files like mystery, part exploration of the human condition in an extreme and isolated environment. It is also a very good advert for furry hoods and big coats; yes I even invested in my own.
Red Lipstick Queen
There is plenty to love about Peggy Carter and season 2 is just a couple of weeks away! Agent Carter also gets added to the How TV Ate My Wardrobe list in the makeup department as I invested in Peggy’s Besame 1946 lipstick and there is also the bonus of beautiful packaging along with fantastic red lips.
Denim Dream
1981 was a great year for denim and there is a residual 70s influence on fashion in Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp with high waisted flares and dungaree delights. Also pairing anything with short shorts is fair game.
Best Future April Ludgate
2015 saw the end of Parks and Recreationprompting plenty of finale tears. This also means saying goodbye to one of TV Ate My Wardrobe’s biggest style influences and I am happy to report that future April Ludgate is still very much in our sartorial good graces.
What to Wear on Your European Vacation
Traveling across Europe with Hannibal Lecter means packing your finest threads and Bedelia is up for that challenge with this blue 1940s spy looking ensemble even if this is the opposite of staying incognito.
Sunglasses I Need in my Life
Yes I am still highly coveting Gretchen’s round opal yellow Wayfarer sunglasses for the second year in a row.
Most On Point Accessorizing Part 2
Gina is not just the TV Ate My Wardrobe Sweater Queen (her turtleneck game has been strong all season), but she’s also the reason why I yell “Wolfie” at the screen whenever any of the direwolves pop up on Game of Thrones. So when Gina appeared on screen in the episode “Beach House,” which kicked off the new year for Brooklyn Nine-Nine in this hat/scarf/glove combo it also caused me to yell “Wolfie” on this occasion too.
Festive Relationship Goals
Looking is almost over (*sob*) and before its one final outing in the form of a TV movie next year, let us bask in Eddie’s Santa outfit and how Agustín went from loathsome narcissist to the dude (and ship) I was heavily invested in by the end of season 2. Good character development, show.
A bumper “Behind the Insta-Scenes” this week including Halloween both on and off set, cast hangouts, reminiscing and dancing. There is always time for dancing.
Continuing the Parks and Rec theme and combining it with the musical that like many people I can’t stop listening to at the moment. The fact that Ben Schwartz has Jean Ralphio’s faked death headstone is also aces.
Entering the Halloween portion and You’re the Worst doubled down on Sunday Funday this season with a fantastic tapestry of scares, amazing costumes, hilarity and relationship drama.
Which Aya Cash then used as an IRL dress-up solution because why not? These wings give me so many teen flashbacks and I still have a pair stuffed in the back of my wardrobe.
I haven’t watched this week’s Scream Queens yet and while I keep fluctuating between enjoyment and eye roll toward this show (standard reaction to a Ryan Murphy project) this pairing does raise my interest levels. Now to make the Gwyneth thing actually happen.
Ending things this week with this very hypnotic video. And even though I can only see a tiny portion of Elizabeth Banks’ outfit, it already looks like she is killing it on the Mockingjay press tour.
Plenty of singing and dancing from this week’s TV Instagram highlights. Plus costuming sneak peeks and more shows going back into production while others are coming to an end. Ah the cycle of TV (and especially cable shows).
Queen of Dubsmash Hayley Atwell with co-star Enver Gjokaj doing the impossible and making “Uptown Funk” feel fresh again. She isn’t wrong about those hips.
Tatiana Maslany switched out her fantastic ruffled Roksanda ruffled jumpsuit (stay tuned for Look of the Week) for something a little more comfy post panel and Donnie himself, Kristian Bruun captured the look.
Alison Bennett wrote last week’s episode of You’re the Worst and the end of “Side Bitch” was just as emotionally devastating as the Gretchen’s trip in the middle of night a couple of weeks ago. Luckily for us Paul himself Allan McLeod has a bunch of sweet photos to soften the blow.
Of course the ChumHum office has a slide. Cush Jumbo’s video also indicates that Lucca Quinn will be sticking around, much to our delight and one of The Good Wife’s most challenging clients will be making an appearance.
The Americans won’t be back until the start of 2016, but in the meantime the Russian contingent are sharing some set photos and once again Nina has some fantastic knitwear.
It may not be a Mindy Project behind the scenes picture and yet it still makes the TV Insta cut as this scene made me laugh a whole bunch. And I continue to have Mindy pajama envy.
Plenty more returning shows this week offering up behind the scenes treats on TV Instagram. Plus old cast mates hanging out together, Empire style sneak peeks and what some of the stars of The Americans have been up to during its hiatus.
Except when secret projects are being filmed featuring a song by another one of their Ugly Betty co-stars. Whatever Michael Urie and Becki Newton have planned count me in.
A whole lot returning shows and soon to be returning shows as the new fall season is here. Which means plenty of social media engagement and this is one bumper “Behind the Insta-Scenes.”
The HUGE Empire viewing numbers are a good indicator of hype matching the amount of people watching and Jane the Virgin’s Gina Rodriguez posted this selfie from the Emmys to celebrate its return.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine also returned this week much to our delight (Gina’s sweater game was the human equivalent of the 100 emoji) and this photo from a night shoot is old horror movie reaction fantastic. Stephanie Beatriz is giving glasses frames inspiration.
Rounding out the CW superhero Instas with The Flash’s Danielle Panabaker showing off some heavier bangs for Caitlin and a pair of boots that will probably never be seen on screen.
Moving onto another CW show and Jane the Virgin returns in just under two weeks! That is a very interesting looking table/assortment of drinks and snacks.
Coach is set to have a big 2016 as it is their 75th anniversary and this 2016 Spring/Summer collection is their first major runway show at New York Fashion Week. Coach is a brand I am particularly fond of* and the journey from bags to clothing has included some very fun pieces such as this much covetedrocket sweater. Keeping with this theme and the current TV Ate My Wardrobe sweater queen is Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Gina (played by Chelsea Peretti) taking the crown from April Ludgate when Parks and Recreation ended. It is perhaps fitting that last year’s NYFW Coach picks were for April and my flashback sweater sweetheart Felicity Porter.
*The only Coach item I currently own is one of my favorite vintage store finds and it is a leather document holder from the 1960s which I use as an iPad case because it is the perfect size. Everything old is new again and all that.
Brief Intermission Announcement – The NYFW Fantasy Costuming pieces have been a bit light on the ground this year and I am very aware that today is the last day with London Fashion Week kicking off tomorrow. This has been due to other work commitments as I have been travelling at lot more than usual and I hope to get a few more of these done in the coming weeks as fall TV returns – End of Brief Intermission Announcement.
Back to Gina and the Coach runway show which includes a whole lot of floaty floral boho delights, leather minis, mosaic patterns and the all important knitwear.
It might not be the creature Gina loves most (wolfies of course) but I can definitely see Gina wearing this T-Rex sweater and mosaic mini in whatever office her new job with Captain Holt takes her to on Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Purple zebra print, a classic Coach saddle bag and silver cut down cowboy boots is very Gina and as you will see in the gallery below there are several other sweaters which fit her signature style. Plus a tee/mini skirt winning combination and a couple of leather jackets which build on her previous garments of this kind. And the floral detail will definitely set her apart from Rosa as the other leather jacket wearer on this show.
Also keep an eye out for another Gina related treat in the coming weeks.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine returns for season 3 Sunday, September 27.
Fall TV is so close and New York Fashion Week is already looking ahead to Spring 2016 and so the time has come for some more Fantasy Costuming. Starting with a very colorful and playful collection from Kate Spade New York which is ideal for comedy shows such as the The Mindy Project, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, NewGirl, Jane the Virginand even You’re the Worst (there are leather jackets and super cool sunglasses). Comedy utilizes bold costuming with a strong color palette and plenty of patterns because I guess it might be considered inappropriate to wear outfits like these in court or while trying to solve crime or something. Kate Spade New York definitely does the bright thing and then some giving us something to smile about.
The novelty bag trend for Kate Spade continues with a whole array of animals and objects with the Admit One clutch going to the top of the covet list. If you’re after something a bit more traditional then there are plenty of non-novelty purses with some incorporating the signature daisy motif from this collection.
Here are some of the standout looks that would look ideal in some current and sadly gone too soon sitcoms.
And a workplace look for Mindy. Maybe not quite enough pattern clashing here.
New Girl won’t be back until mid-season, but this is perfectly Jess.
And Jess is a character that probably would own a dog shaped purse and this gorgeous super girly floral full skirt.
Sticking with New Girl and Cece is definitely a fan of the patterned jumpsuit.
One character who really embraces every candy color possible is Kimmy Schmidt and a lot of this collection would fit in her wardrobe (if this character suddenly got a pay rise). Or a cute outfit for Jane the Virgin’s Petra as she does love a cute short short.
The bag I am a little obsessed with and a dress for Jane on Jane the Virgin for post-maternity wear.
This has Eliza from Selfie written all over it and now I am super sad about the lack of Henry/Eliza resolution. Yes I’m going to go listen to “Chandelier” again. It would also be perfect for Petra and her stems.
I would love to see Petra pull a dramatic turn and wear a cape. Or I would like to see this cape in my closet.
This skirt is maybe slightly longer than Gretchen’s usual style on You’re theWorst,but if we borrow one of the leather jackets from the galley below then it is certainly edgy enough for her work place attire.
For more highlights from Kate Spade New York’s Spring 2016 RTW collection click on the images below.
The steady stream of shows returning to set for the fall season continues and we’ve got a mix of weekly favorites such as The Mindy Project and Orange is the New Black with some new faces. Plus magazine cover flashbacks, editorial dance parties and some style highs on this week’s “Behind the Insta-Scenes.”
Jane the Virgin is back for season 2 in October (Monday 12) and the cast are looking all kinds of adorable as they sit down and fist bump over their first table read of the new TV year. And I just remembered Britney Spears is going to be on the show, which might send me down another happy Britney gif hole. I am more than fine with this.
Morgan’s tattoo is making an appearance on season 4 of The Mindy Project but it’s Mindy’s Bedhead flamingo pjs that have caught my eye. Adding to the ever growing Mindy covet list.
It’s not just the ladies who are awash with color and print on The Mindy Project as Garret Dilahunt gives a sneak peek at his bold costuming. Dilahunt will be playing Mindy’s maternity leave cover and he thinks she is a ‘tacky idiot.’
I have definitely got some accidental #NOTASNAP videos on my phone from various nights out where stumbly fingers change the setting, but this one by Chelsea Peretti seems all purpose.
Also from the Brooklyn Nine-Nine set and could this be the return of the wolfie sweater? Or maybe just an old picture (her hair looks different so I’m leaning towards it making a comeback). I am so excited for the return of one of TV Ate My Wardrobe’s sweater and all round costume queens.
So here for old magazine covers, particularly ones which don’t really make a whole lot of sense. Like why did they think the licking of the face thing was a good direction to go in? It is definitely something different that’s for sure and I feel a lot better about this than the other face licking which has appeared on TV recently (I’m looking at you Scandal).
I didn’t see the first season of Secrets and Lies – did Ryan Phillippe do it? – but Juliette Lewis and her sharp dressing new cast mates are making me very intrigued for season 2.
It was the Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 2 finale on Sunday, which means one last Gina costuming Wish List item. Gina is a TV Ate My Wardrobe favorite including her sweater queen status as well as her love for all things wolfie. And this was a really great finale pairing Gina up with Terry in a mission to keep Holt at the precinct, dealing with the big Jake/Amy romance, a very fun Diaz/Boyle story and a scene that made me all kinds of teary. TV is causing a lot of waterworks at the moment; end of season is an emotional time.
Gina’s outfit du jour is a play on the big denim trend this season as denim is everywhere (although I kind of feel like denim is always on trend). The item in question is the ‘Blondie’ short sleeve denim jacket by Genetic Los Angeles and in typical Gina fashion she puts her own spin on it by wearing it as a shirt rather than a jacket.
Pairing it with a stripe skirt rather than going for the double denim approach as seen on the model is also a stronger statement and sometimes there is such a thing as too much denim (but not when Britney and Justin are doing it #NeverForget). I am partial to the stripe tee, because of course.
For more Wish List items including recent Gina (and Amy) outfits head here.
![Lake Bell and David Wain in Season 1 of the Netflix original series "Wet Hot American Summer" Credit: Saeed Adyani, Netflix [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://tvatemywardrobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lake-bell.jpg)
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
