TV Ate My Wardrobe

Welcome to the Best of 2017! Today we are celebrating the outfits that lit up “Out of the Box” on a weekly basis.

The one consistent column here at TV Ate My Wardrobe is “Out of the Box,” a weekly round-up of the outfits that make my jaw drop, inspire or just look really fucking cool. We have already celebrated magazine covers—which can be found here—so now it is time for other public appearances, with a few magazine editorials thrown in.

The only rule is that the outfits in question had to appear as part of an “Out of the Box” column, so a lot of awards, TCA and other major moments are missing as they had their own articles dedicated to them. But it was hard enough to narrow down a reasonable list so this post didn’t sprawl for days. In order of what month they appeared, here are my fave Look of Week entries.  Best Leopard Print

Every award season there are a handful of actors who light up the red carpet/talk shows/magazines at every single turn. One such person during the last awards cycle was Ruth Negga. Negga kicks off the rundown in a MOVIE STAR outfit that looks straight out of Carol, causing so many dreamy sighs. Leopard print and olive green leather never looked better. Best Stripes

Sundance always delivers on the knit front (and you can see more excellent winter lewks here). Armie Hammer is working two of my favorite things—no not an arm sling—stripes and sweaters. This also shows how long the promotional/awards life of a movie can be as Call Me By Your Name was a big hit at this festival in January and it has now only just been released wide across the U.S. I know I am not unique when I say it is my fave film of 2017. Best Oscar Outfit Change

As I mention above, the outfits that appear here all featured on “Out of the Box” so no Oscar dresses. But the Vanity Fair party is fair game. Viola Davis crushed it with her red Armani gown and then again in a white Brandon Maxwell ladysuit paired with Stella McCartney platforms. The Oscar statue makes a great accessory, but my eyes are on Davis. Best Casual Talk Show Arrival

The talk show exit/arrival will often feature the outfit that will be worn on the show as this acts as a great low-key runway. But not always (see also Tatiana Maslany) and here Yara Shahidi goes casual cool giving me so many strong mustard cardigan feelings. Shahidi has been a repeat “Out of the Box” fixture in 2017 and I imagine this will be the case next year too. Best Introduction 

Back in April, Kelly Marie Tran was introduced as a new Star Wars cast member and she did so in style. This ruffled shirt dress is the kind of spin on a classic outfit that I am here for (none of this deconstructed shirt business). Plus those sparkly shoes add a touch of fun glitz to proceedings. Tran continued to thrill on the red carpet, particularly very recently.Best Fancy Sequins

At the MTV Movie and now TV Awards nothing made me happier than this photo of Taraji P. Henson and Tracee Ellis Ross in a prom pose covered in sequins.Best Airport Style

When flying in for the Cannes Film Festival expect cameras at the airport. Kirsten Dunst has picked the perfect outfit leaning into ’70s casual, even if high-waisted jeans don’t make the most comfortable sitting.

Bonus Jesse Plemons kicks off this mini Best IRL Couples of TV Ate My Wardrobe section. Best Polo

Every year the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic delivers on the crisp collars, sunglasses and general chic summer attire. 2017 was no different with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys switching out ’80s spy garb for stripes, ruffles and straw hats. Best Fancy Tiling Adjacent Patterns

The Big Sick is another film that makes my Top 10 from this year. At the premiere in June, Emily V. Gordon looked stunning in a dress that also doubles as a pattern for fancy tiling in the bathroom of my dream house. Great lipstick choice too. Kumail Nanjiani also scrubs up well. Best Putting A Bird On It

Also in the same week in June, Zendaya at one of the many Spider-Man events, continued to show what a strong sartorial presence she is in this Delpozo ensemble. Best Colorful Strips

At the BET Awards, Issa Rae went bold in a rainbow Balmain blazer and formal shorts. Insecure costume designer Ayanna James also doubles Rae’s stylist and she gives her great outfits both on and off screen. Best Ladysuit (Part 1)

The Cut has done some of my favorite profiles of the year including this one with Insecure’s Yvonne Orji. The fact that she is wearing this fabulous ladysuit is an editorial bonus.
Best Ladysuit (Part 2)

Ditching the jacket and striking a pose for Interview that makes me want to frame this photo of Tatiana Maslany. Giving me Cosima in a tux vibes while also wearing some serious eyeliner flicks, which even the best YouTube tutorial, would still be impossible for me to recreate. Best Matching

At the Ingrid Goes West premiere, Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen both wear almost matching Marc Jacobs in a spin on the plot of the movie they are promoting. A cute twist I am definitely on board. I loved Ingrid Goes West and other than some third act issues; it is the best look at Insta culture on film so far.Best Jester 

Harry Styles upped his style (sorry) game in 2017 leaning into some fun and decadent suits, often Gucci (such as the one above). One of the best deep dives into Styles’ style (sorry) story comes from Twitter pal Fiona and her ongoing thread noting the similarities between Styles and Cate Blanchett’s red carpet looks.Best Casual Sequins 

More Gucci treats with Lupita Nyong’o showing she is just as strong at casual red carpet style as she is with the fancy pants events.Best Botanics 

There has been a lot of florals on the red carpet this year. My favorite came late in the year from Zoe Kazan. It is a complete coincidence that there are three very different Gucci looks in a row, but it also shows just how strong (and leaning to my twee adjacent taste) this brand has been in 2017.Best Striking a Pose

Ending out of calendar sequence because this is the perfect shot to celebrate the style highs of 2017. Embracing the fanfare and decadence of Cannes are Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman and Kirsten Dunst. All wearing dresses that look just as fabulous from behind as they do from the front.

Here’s to more sartorial wonders in 2018!

Tags: Armie Hammer, Elle Fanning, Emily V. Gordon, Issa Rae, Jesse Plemons, Kelly Marie Tran, Keri Russell, Kirsten Dunst, Kumail Nanjiani, Matthew Rhys, Nicole Kidman, Ruth Negga, Taraji P. Henson, Tatiana Maslany, Tracee Ellis Ross, Viola Davis, Yara Shahidi, Yvonne Orji, Zoe Kazan