Last year Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Gina became an instant TV Ate My Wardrobe favorite thanks to her collection of patterned sweaters, love for wolfies and penchant for interpretive dance. And of course the all-round Chelsea Peretti related goodness. The clothing coveting continues this season and this Wish List is dedicated to Gina’s attire in the recent “Halloween II” episode. No, Gina doesn’t wear a spooky costume and instead she works the whole pattern clashing thing with aplomb.
Pairing a Collection B plaid baseball jacket with faux leather sleeves (also available in black and white plaid) with the contrasting lightning bolt shirt from Topshop (it also comes in coral) is one way to mix it up as we head into the chillier season, but it isn’t quite ready to dig out all the knitwear.
Here are a couple of alternate jacket suggestions:
First up more faux leather sleeves and a biker jacket rather than baseball style from Chicwash.
Real leather-trim with multiple zips and tartan patterned Karl Lagerfeld biker jacket for another take on this trend.
Not forgetting the excellent sweater game Gina brings on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and “Halloween II” was no different:
Polka dots and sleeved florals – the sleeve/body contrast is a big thing this year – and if you like the look of this ‘Sloane’ sweater but want it in a non-clashing way, Equipment has a couple of other items which have caught our attention using these patterns separately.
The ‘Aubrey‘ polka dot silk dress looks beyond slouchy comfy and I love a 3/4 length sleeve:
The Mindy Project is a visual treat as costume designer Salvador Perez uses a broad palette; pattern clashing, sparkles, pajamas, colorful outerwear and sparkles are all part of the Mindy Lahiri look and she exudes confidence at home and with her work wear. Mindy doesn’t care if you don’t like it as long as she thinks it is cute. And it usually is. This has been one of the most fun Fantasy Costuming columns to create, scouring the new fall collections to find items we think Mindy Lahiri would wear in all aspects of her life. The brands we have looked at are generally ones she has previously worn on the show and range in price from affordable to splashing out.
As always this is meant to be just a bit of fun and in no way am I saying that these items should feature on any of these shows, rather it is about whether you could see this character wearing this garment and drawing influence from what they have worn in the past.
Mindy is a romantic and she doesn’t need a reason to wear hearts, however now that she has got together with Danny after an epic Empire State Building stair climb she has the ideal excuse to wear something like this super flirty Alice + Olivia A-line skirt. Perfect for either work (maybe a polka dot blouse or the starry one below) or date night.
Star motifs are totally up Mindy’s style street and this silk RED Valentino blouse is another in the dress up or down category.
The color might be slightly muted, but this Trina Turk ‘Joelle’ dress is classic Mindy work attire as the diamond pattern plus pleat and belting detail are ultra feminine and fun. Pair it with the coat below for a pop of color.
Now if there is one item that Mindy has in abundance (and I covet them all) then it’s her outerwear from this incredible canary number (from costume designer Salvador Perez) to colorful plaid and classic houndstooth. The Mindy Project is set in New York so a good coat collection is essential. Step up French Connection and their mosaic blue ‘Imperial’ wool stunner. Coats are my weakness and while I probably don’t need another, this one is crying out.
Another mixed print dress and Topshop is a brand Mindy Kaling wore a few months ago at Paleyfest. Here is another jacquard print and the A-line silhouette/short sleeves/high neck combination allows for a raised hemline as office attire (I’m using the either legs or boobs theory). It’s an interesting print that has me asking birds or flowers? It could be both and it’s an exquisite frock.
Moving on to more casual threads and Mindy has an impressive sweater collection – I am beyond excited that it will be sweater season soon – and Kate Spade is going for bold color and animal print this fall with the ‘Cyber Cheetah‘ in emperor blue. This will look very much at home with Mindy as she relaxes on the couch (with or without Danny).
Separates aren’t always required to experiment with different patterns as this Tory Burch ‘Ronnie’ pullover demonstrates with floral sleeves and back combined with a mini polka dots front. Mindy is not the type of woman to shy away from a top like this and it’s just the kind of bold/cute statement that makes this character a style inspiration.
Mindy doesn’t just have the fashion thing nailed for her work, going out and casual wardrobe as her pajamas are just as enviable; in fact they even make an appearance on the new season 3 artwork. Adding to the Three J NYC collection that Mindy already has with the ‘Eloise’ orange rings and to borrow a line from Steve Carell in Crazy, Stupid, Love they are the “perfect combination of sexy and cute.”
As Masters of Sex is a period drama the costume design relies on vintage pieces and new garments that have been inspired/adapted by Ane Crabtree and her team (Crabtree’s Instagram has some great behind the scenes videos) to keep in line with the look of the late 1950s.* This edition of Fantasy Costuming is going to be a bit different from previous outings as I have selected garments from a variety of stores ranging from affordable to ‘one month’s rent’ and everything chosen is available to buy right now. Both 1950s and 1960s silhouettes (and especially the latter) have refused to be relegated to the past and each season seems to have a hint of these decades on the runway (much to my delight).
*Updated to include this behind the scenes video from Showtime and one revelation is how Crabtree makes everything.
The garments featured are reflections rather than something one of these characters might wear; an homage using current collections and inspired by the costuming from the first season. Virginia, Libby and Jane are the three women I will be looking at for wardrobe ideas as all three represent different aspects of this period.
Virginia’s wardrobe is dominated by subdued colors as she wants to be taken seriously and this means there’s a whole lot of black and grey. Color does slip in with red and green, plus bows and buttons are very much part of her look. One of my favorite aspects of 1950s style is how detailed necklines are and they often feature added embellishments/intricate collars.
The Rockabilly Your World top is one of several items from the vintage inspired ModCloth and the rounded collar/bow detail is so on point for Virginia.
Sticking with black and a similar neckline with a Carven dress that sits a lot higher (mid-thigh) than something Virginia would wear, but definitely shares in the essence of her serious work attire.
Grey is Virginia’s backup work power suit color (just throw a white coat over the top for extra Virginia Johnson confidence) and this knee-length Lanvin wool dress is all nipped in waist, keyhole detail and shoulder embellishment.
Time to inject some color and red is rather symbolical for a number of reasons; it reflects the passion that both Virginia and Bill are having a hard time reconciling with as each pushes the other away at various points during season 1. Red is a dominant color on the artwork for season 2 and it holds significance when Virginia wears it. Plus Lizzy Caplan looks stunning in any form of crimson (lip color included). This frock is from ModCloth and is appropriately called the Dance Floor Date dress.
One more Virginia item and Masters of Sex had me coveting all the coats last season. Coming from RED Valentino this stunning and super chic black woven coat has a hint of bowed femininity and an enduring quality. Virginia is both fashion forward for the time period and at the same time maintains a timeless look as a woman in the workplace.
Moving on with a couple of items that make me think of Jane. Jane’s dominant color matched her sunny disposition with a whole lot of yellow. Both the You Got the Upbeat blouse and Member of the Board heels are from ModCloth and are well suited to those who wear this shade all of the time and those who want to give it a go for the first time. Regulars to the site know I am a slight yellow clothes obsessive and so I’m always happy to have a reason to shop this color.
Libby is the most classically feminine of the women on Masters of Sex as she plays the traditional role of housewife and now mother. In season 1 Libby’s costuming reflects a wealthy lifestyle and even her loungewear/cooking/cleaning clothes are beautiful. This might see a shift in season 2 as she’s now dealing with a baby and their financial situation is far from secure. This beautiful cornflower jacquard skirt is from Topshop and matches the pastels and patterns Libby wears.
More soft color from Alice + Olivia and this works for both a Libby influence and her younger counterpart Vivian Scully (pink dominates her costuming). The floral lace detail is stunning and the classic A-line cut is perfectly Libby with a modern twist.
Libby doesn’t really do the whole monochrome thing; if she did this Tory Burch ‘Wilda‘ polka dot affair would be her speed as those dots aren’t actually white but rose pink.
Masters of Sex returns Sunday, July 13 so be sure to join us next week for all the costuming and narrative analysis.
Having only recently caught up on Elementary, it’s only fair to dedicate another post to the wonderful wardrobe of Joan Watson and two of the delightful dresses she wore in the most recent episode “No Lack of Void.”
With a slight hint of whimsy, this is another floral Joan Watson dress and while the one featuring on last week’s Elementary wish list was manipulated to look like an x-ray there is something more doodle like about this Marni silk print dress.
Mixing up the slightly oversized look and continuing to embrace pattern is the second outfit choice from “No Lack of Void” with a Christian Pellizzari tree print dress.
Pockets! Yep this was already a funky frock and the “anything with pockets is instantly more desirable” rule can be applied. The contrasting patterns and tee like top half with the box pleat skirt design makes this look like two separates when it’s really just one. It’s a fun dress choice and Joan’s signature style is made up of pieces that set her apart from how we generally code the clothes detectives tend to wear and from Sherlock’s distinctive buttoned up look.
A brief fantasy costuming interlude with a dress I could see Joan wearing and one that isn’t going to destroy your bank account.
Keeping the botanical theme with a Trapeze Palm Tree dress from Topshop (available in both UK and US store) and the style and print are very Joan Watson.
Pairing a Collection B plaid baseball jacket with faux leather sleeves (also available in black and white plaid) with the contrasting lightning bolt shirt from Topshop (it also comes in coral) is one way to mix it up as we head into the chillier season, but it isn’t quite ready to dig out all the knitwear.
Here are a couple of alternate jacket suggestions:
First up more faux leather sleeves and a biker jacket rather than baseball style from Chicwash.
Real leather-trim with multiple zips and tartan patterned Karl Lagerfeld biker jacket for another take on this trend.
Polka dots and sleeved florals – the sleeve/body contrast is a big thing this year – and if you like the look of this ‘Sloane’ sweater but want it in a non-clashing way, Equipment has a couple of other items which have caught our attention using these patterns separately.
And here is the ‘Lynne‘ floral collarless shirt:
For recent Wish List posts check out Robyn’s sweaters on The Good Wife and more pattern clashing from The Mindy Project
TV Ate My Wardrobe 