Great Television or Great Costuming?

After experiencing last night’s #MadMen season finale Twitter bonanza, where editors, bloggers and fans tweeted their play-by-play thoughts on wardrobe choices, a thought came to mind. Are our favorite prime time television shows truly that addicting — or could it be the strength in costuming departments that captivate loyal audiences week after week? Clearly, this is a question that could be debated until the sun rises. Yet, I can’t resist to delve into the inner workings of my favorite television shows that have me glued to my plasma for hours on end- in HD, of course.

Image via AMC
Last night’s closing episode to season four of AMC’s Mad Men was full of jaw-droppers and quotables. Yet, silhouettes and necklines of characters were also the topic of banter, that is not to be ignored. A dressed-down Don Draper strips the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce partner of his domineering qualities. Lending us a softer, even sappy Don that sports short, boxy jackets all the while exhibiting his ability to open his heart to undeserving secretaries. Back at the fort, Joan Harris maintains the role of den mother with seductive office behavior. Her figure enhancing dresses continue to hug and hold at the waist, only to release in length at the knee. Peggy Olson, the most respectable of the women in Mad Men, takes the attention off of self and into work with sweet collared necklines. The brains behind the costuming is Katherine Jane Bryant, whose design choices shape each character’s personality traits and flaws.

Image via Gossip Girl Online
Love it or hate it, one of the incentives to watching CW‘s Gossip Girl is to see your friend’s new handbag line featured on Serena’s character played by Blake Lively. But even with wildly, elaborate plot twists, the clothing keeps you watching – no matter how many times you’ve cursed Georgina’s name. Under the costume design of Eric Daman, we know we can expect ostentatious looks from our beloved characters. Blair, never without those brunette locks adorned with an embellished hair accessory. Serena, the shorter, the tighter and low cut the dress, the more scandal. Jenny, the constant ripped tights and boots always come equipped with raccoon eyes. While Chuck, seldom without a bow tie and wing tips. Consistent fantasy is created with wardrobe to tie in with sensationalized Manhattan youth identity.

Image via New York Times
Bored to Death‘s costume designer Daniel Lawson, knows good wardrobe can properly shape potent characters, having worked on Lipstick Jungle (RIP), Third Watch and The Good Wife. With the strength in writing, realistic wardrobe only compliments the already persuasive cast. The character of Jonathan Ames played by Jason Schwartzman appreciates a good, wool sports coat for detective, writing and teaching shenanigans in all five boroughs of New York City. While a disheveled Ray played by Zach Galifianakis can be found in tummy embracing sweaters and plaid shirts in muted tones that match his fellow neighbors in Brooklyn. The spirit of the less fashion forward, more quirky New York misfit is contained within this soaring series and embedded into the style mishaps of Jonathan and Ray.

Image via Stereo Killer
HBO newbie Boardwalk Empire fills Atlantic City with felons dressed in three piece suits with the stench of top-shelf whiskey that couldn’t be covered by salt water taffy. The show’s costume designer John A. Dunn’s impressive resume including films such as Casino, Factory Girl and Away We Go offers far more than “floosies” in flapper dresses for the 1920s Prohibition drama. Class, power and prestige is distinguished through costuming. The worn, green velvet on the hat repeatedly exhibited by Temperance activist Emily Schroeder could be the sole reason that corrupt, opulent Nucky Thompson has taken good care of the now single mother.

With the marriage of definitive writing and influential costuming, we can better understand what makes our favorite characters of our favorite shows tick. Let’s be truthful here, if costuming wasn’t as precise and thoughtful, the characters that we gawk at each and every week would not be nearly as interesting.