Monday 18 April 2016


I thought Outlander got off to a slow start last week and my heart sank, but now they're in Paris with Bonnie Prince Charlie - what a drip, Flora McDonald can have him and welcome - it's back on top form and the costumes are FABULOUS. So that's my Sunday evenings rescued. I was fascinated to discover that Claire's 18th century costumes reference the New Look ...  I think I'd picked up on it anyway but now I'm deconstructing every gown. How clever. It's a subtle way of making her stand out as an outsider. I couldn't be bothered watching this chat show all the way through - what an irritating interviewer -but if you go to 23.00 it's worth listening to the costume designer.

6 comments:

LuLu Anna said...

Could not agree more about Outlander. I watched series 1 after you recommended it, and I, too, was a little disappointed by the first episode of this season. However, as you say, things really picked up in Paris and the costumes are just superb. I absolutely adored Claire's New Look white silk jacket and blue skirt with the black hat. How I would love to be as elegant as that...as my eldest son is getting married next year I might have to seek out a scaled down version...

mary said...

That costume was gorgeous, LuLu Anna! It would make a wonderful wedding outfit. But I loved the tweedy look in the last series, too. Was it just me, or was the first episode confusing ... how did she get back to 1948? when she seems to be in France at the same time? I kept thinking there was something I'd forgotten from the last series! Probably best to let it wash over me and enjoy the fashions (and the sexy Scotsman, even if he does have spots!)

LuLu Anna said...

Mary, I wondered if the premise is that she is telling Frank about her life in the 18th century, although that doesn't quite chime with the new start at Harvard? Who knows?? I think it's not perhaps the series to analyse too closely, but just to luxuriate in the fantastic sets and costumes and the rather gorgeous Lord Broch Turach (I daresay spots would be the least of his problems at that time. I like the way he has lovely teeth,- perhaps Claire has brought 20th century oral hygiene to the clan- while all the other characters have appalling ones.)

I must confess that the first season resulted in a lot of knitting on my part- I have some lovely cosy shawls and mittens!!

mary said...

I think you're right about not over-analysing, especially as she seems more pregnant in France than in Scotland! I hadn't thought about teeth, but you're right ... wish she'd brought some shampoo for the greay, bearded chap!
How lovely to have an Outlander shawl! You'll get plenty of use from it as there's so many books, this has the potential to run for years!

Anonymous said...

I watched the second episode yesterday and agree about the costumes. That was never an eighteenth century hat!
I was quite confoozled by the first episode, as I'd thought at the end of the first series that Madam had decided to stay in the past. Still confused yet hooked all over again. It's good for knitting by.

mary said...

I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't keep up, Callmemadam! Probably best just to enjoy and not overthink it.