Don’t get me wrong, NAKED EYES is tons of fun and certainly living up to its hype finally, giving us that “sweeps” worthy action and drama we heard so much about, its just I need a little break this week from all the sturm un drang.  I’m ready to muse again on the shallowest of shallow topics but with oh so much glee, you got it, wardrobe.

With NAKED EYES came not only a change of season but a definite change in the air, in the atmosphere, in the attitude of the town and its inhabitants. To their credit, the much maligned (ok mostly by me) wardrobe department has stepped up to the plate this arc, re-energizing the look and feel of the show matching the sexy, deceptive illusions and rock n’ roll sensibility being created by the production department and the writing. Choreographing it is no easy feat but they’ve managed to update almost every main character’s look in this arc without losing sight of who and/or what that character is.  It’s cool, stylish, well reflects the season with everyone in leather or suede and most important of all, it reflects the mood of the story.

Witness the Halloween party that really kicked this arc into high gear blowing open the doors to the evil returns scenario.  It gave the wardrobe department an opportunity to dress the characters as we’ve never seen them and did they have fun doing it.  Chris and Frank looking very edgy and hip in their suits, Karen and especially Doree, released from that police uniform, so attractive, the whole foursome so complimentary to each other.  Ian so incredibly handsome in his suit and tie and stubble yet so obviously uncomfortable, so true to character.  Lucy, true to form, in some out there silver dress, revealing as much skin as possible, pulling off the look as only Lynn Herring could.  Ian and Lucy fit together perfectly at that party as well, that hot kiss a tease of what’s surely to come. Alison looking very grown up in her beautiful ensemble, a huge change from her usual casual, teen look that was desperately in need of an update.  She definitely can pull off a more mature look and this party afforded the character a chance to move forward.  I know I heard a huge collective gasp resonating as Rafe showed up on screen in that amazing black on black suit, his fleur de lys necklace a choker, punctuating his uniqueness and continental sensibility.   The wardrobe itself was a guest at this party, underscoring the dark, dangerous, sensual, practically erotic mood swirling around that night.

The Stephen Clay Experience, rock star chic with a vampire edge?  Pretty irresistible combination, Stephen Clay himself in head to toe black, punctuated now and then with black leather pants, piercing blue eyes his best accessory.   Band members in outlandish get ups and jewelry serving to add even more to the confusion over who and what they are.  Joshua in his double-breasted suits, so suave, so debonair, so proper, and cold as ice. 

The Vampire Slayer returned to earth as human, angel no more, finally breaking the bonds of khakidom. I assume everyone, even the wardrobe department finally, finally had enough of the baggy khakis, military greens and beiges they subjected Rafe to all through Superstition and Torn. The return of his slayer persona brought a return to the more European, body conscious, edgier look he was introduced with and what set him apart in the first place.  Donning that double-breasted full-length coat that fit like it was custom tailored for Brian Gaskill was there any doubt the slayer was back, confident, determined and ready to do battle.

Lucy’s wardrobe is still an exercise in self-sabotage most of the time but again completely in tune with the wackiness and quirkiness of her personality. Not always age appropriate at times but Lucy is really ageless anyways.  Sometimes the familiar is comforting, Lucy is the same Lucy as always, handling what life throws at her with her head on, in your face attitude that makes her so special and we would expect nothing less of her outfits.

Alison was a prime example of a trend that got out of hand for a while, all those bohemian shirts day in day out stretched the limits of that fad but what’s interesting now is that it appears the wardrobe department is trying to age the character’s look and it’s working.  The girl’s been through an awful lot in the past six months, it would have to change anyone forever.  She left behind her girlhood, time to grow up and mature and it looks like the wardrobe is reflecting the changes the character is going through.

Ian, Jack, Jamul, Ricky, well its Ian, Jack, Jamul, Ricky.  Current and casual I guess you could call it, again lots of leather and suede, nothing inspiring, nothing unattractive but nothing spectacular in any way either.

Livvie’s wardrobe is as dark as she is. Tess’s is the other side of that coin, but at least she’s now in shoes. 

With the shooting schedule so far in advance the wardrobe department has their challenges cut out for them don’t they, staying on top of current trends while trying to predict future ones.  For the most part this has been the most successful arc in my opinion of marrying wardrobe with character and storyline.  Sure there have been some glaring misses, Alison in a blue silk negligee that was so glaringly out of character it made everyone in the scene look uncomfortable.  Elizabeth in a see through blouse and black bra reminiscent of the 70’s I think, it was ugly then and its ugly now. Marissa in an overdone 60’s Mary Quant look replete with boots and cap.  Lucy in yet another 60’s inspired geometric print skirt and matching coat with go go boots and navel baring sweater.  Sometimes I just have to chuckle, shake my head and say wardrobe people what were you thinking. 

But then again, sometimes I have to just appreciate and enjoy the fashion without thinking about its relationship to current or past storylines.  There was this one leather and denim jacket Livvie wore that I’m still dreaming about, that slayer coat got my heart pounding and who could forget the most perfectly sublime wardrobe of all….a set of towels in a steam room…..