ABC’s Scandal is the most talked about show on Twitter on Thursday nights. A record breaking 10.5 million viewers tuned into the season three premiere along with the dedicated cast and fearless creator, Shonda Rhimes, who live tweets every Thursday night during the show.
A recurring theme in the tweets directed to Kerry Washington, the first African-American female lead on a network television show in almost 40 years, are about what she is wearing during the episode.
“Who makes the coat @kerrywashington wears in the flashback?” tweets @Leeci87. “It’s @burberry,” Kerry Washington responds.
Another recognizable trend in the show are the notable fashion brands Olivia Pope [Washington] wears each week. Burberry, Armani, Dior, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Prada… the list goes on.
Does this remind you of anyone? Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, one of fashion’s favorite fictional characters, instantly came to mind. Both leading ladies have inspired viewers not only by their fierce personalities and supportive group of friends but by their fabulous name brand wardrobes as well.
“The Burberry trench coat [Pope] was wearing in the season premiere was to die for,” said Aryn Dixon, freshman sports management major. “I love Olivia’s wardrobe but I could never afford it. She’s so strong and fashionable. I just love it.”
Here’s the catch: You don’t have to be a high-paid crisis management lawyer to afford these trendy looks. The women behind Olivia Pope’s trendsetting wardrobe provide their insight on how to do it for less.
Lyn Paolo, Scandal’s Emmy awarding-winning costume designer, provided Allure magazine readers with a few tips on how to get Olivia Pope’s look without breaking the bank. Her first word of advice is to get a large leather handbag. This is a staple in Olivia Pope’s wardrobe. She carries a Prada handbag every show. Secondly, she says to find a pair of gray trousers that you really love.
“Olivia wears the same classic Armani pants all the time, and no one notices because we switch up her tops. The pants are high-waisted and wide-legged to make her look taller.” In an earlier interview with E! Online, Paolo stated that because Olivia Pope literally and figuratively wears the pants, they wanted to make her a character that hardly wears skirts or dresses. “We wanted to make sure that the clothes were tailored, feminine and body conscious while still being the kind of clothes that you can wear anywhere.” Thirdly, she says that oversize collars and big lapels are mandatory. “If you’re petite, like Kerry, strong shoulders give you a presence.”
Another very important woman behind the scenes of Scandal is key costumer, Kristine Haag. Her job is to shop for the clothes that Washington wears on the show. She turns Paolo’s vision for Olivia Pope into reality.
“You can really find the right things in almost any store if you know what you’re looking for. It’s not about the label—it’s about picking the right pieces and taking it to the tailor to have it fit for your body,” Haag said. “This will make all the difference in any off the rack garment. Everyone is different and having it nip and tucked to fit you and will make a lower price garment look like a designer piece.”
Olivia Pope’s fashion sense doesn’t just revolve around her clothes but also her signature Movado watch. The watch has been renamed as the official Olivia Pope Movado Concerto Watch and is featured in gold, rose gold and silver.
For college students or working women on the go with a smaller budget, there is always a way to look like a million bucks without spending it. Department stores such as Macy’s, Dillard’s and JCPenney offer collections featuring business attire at a lower price point to match your budget.
Amanee Cabbagesalk can be reached at amanee.cabbagestalk@spartans.ut.edu