I hate to admit this, but I am really late to this party. I have heard about the Amazon hit series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, for a couple of years. I watched one episode in Season 2 and thought: “what is all the fuss” and didn’t watch it again. It was the episode where Miriam “Midge” and her father were trying to find her mother who had moved to Paris to “find” herself.
Fast forward to now, I started the series from the beginning and was caught up in the plot. It’s very interesting to show the back story behind female comedians and how hard it was for them to succeed back in the day – the 1950s and 60s. Of course, the reason I am writing about this series right now is not the plot, as an Indianapolis Image Consultant, you know I have to talk about the clothes.
Color Combination & Retro Fashion caught this Indianapolis Image Consultant’s Eye
I had heard about the clothes and all the colors and “fun” but finally saw it for myself. I am not disappointed! Not since Mad Men’s fun, sexy spin on the ’60s has there been a more interesting showcase of fashion! Do you agree? Many of the color combinations are not rocket science, but the average pedestrian out there would not even think of putting them together.
Perfect example: Mariam wore a cocktail dress with a deep red (burgundy) velvet top and a tulle skirt in coral. Oh, how dashing. Also, we see many outfits that are tonal such as bright blue with royal blue. I love the combination of red and orange, like a red dress with an orange hat. Prints are chosen carefully such as a vibrant yellow floral print that Mariam wears in the first days at the Catskills showing the dawn of summer. It’s a perfect shade of yellow for Mitch who is probably a True Winter since she can wear jewel tones like green, purple, red, blue, green, etc, like no other. She can also wear warmer tones such as orange or coral, but they are nearly always paired with a cooler color. This is a genius way to add interest and contrast to any outfit.
How Fashion Choices Can Tell A Story
Of course, it helps that the actress, Rachel Brosnahan, is blessed with a perfect hourglass figure, shiny brown hair, blue eyes, and porcelain complexion! Donna Zakowska, the Emmy-winning costume designer of all three series of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, says she is really drawn to color. That was the first way she looked at her character Mariam. Even a hat says something about the character and what is happening.
It is also interesting to note on the flip side of the coin, how Zakwska dresses Midge’s manager, Susie Myerson in the suspenders, leather jacket, newsboy hat, and more masculine overall. Much research went into that costume as well, according to t the designer, so it would accurately reflect The Gaslight Cafe in New York City’s Greenwich Village, a location that spawned many stars, including Bob Dillon. So that historical connection is a smart way to make the series more real and thus the characters more accurate as well.
Just a Quick Look Back
If you’re as intrigued with the outfits on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as this Indianapolis Image Consultant is, take a look back at my past blog about how you can tell a story with your outfit. No retro fashion required although I wouldn’t be against it, especially with an eye-catching throw-back accessory or two.
Enjoy!
Keep it sassy…
Beth Divine, MA, AICI Certified Indianapolis Image Consultant
