Those looks are pretty big contrast to the truly professional work wear seen on The Good Wife:
So, let's see what Mr. Lawson has to say about it all, shall we?
Fashion For Giants: Who is your favorite character to dress? And why?
Dan Lawson: I honestly don’t have a fave. They are all fun to dress, each with their individual appeal and challenges. Even guest stars. Some of my favorite fittings have been with wonderful guest stars who are game for anything I put on them! Love that!
I'm hoping he was talking about Carrie Preston in her recurring guest starring role as Elsbeth. Elsbeth is one of my favorite characters ever and her wardrobe is a delight!
Seriously, if you've never watched the show, do yourself a favor and at least watch the Elsbeth episodes; she is the best!
FFG: Diane wears some pretty major accessories; can you share the thought process behind that decision?
DL: I think Diane is of a stature that she can carry significant jewelry, including a necklace. I think it sets her apart from others in the office and it looks great on her.
FFG: Which character's style would you say is most like your own personal style?
DL: I think Alicia mirrors my style the most because I think she is the most classic with an eye on the modern and that is certainly the way I dress myself.
That's really the perfect way to describe Alicia's style, it's both classic and modern:
FFG: Lemond Bishop's wardrobe is one of my favorites because although it recalls the brightly colored dealers from the 80s, it's still very modern. Would it be fair to call his mix of flash and class the new "drug dealer chic?"
DL: That sounds pretty good to me. I really wanted Lemond’s look to be high end, but I also wanted there to be just a little bit of it that’s a little garish, just a little. It’s like he can buy the clothes and really try to fit in, but it’s always going to be a little nouveau because of his need to stand out and say, “look at me”.
FFG: You're credited with bringing "work dress back;" do you, yourself "dress" for work?
DL: I love that. So cool. OK. How I dress. My day fluctuates wildly. I can start my day shooting in a dump at 7 AM in the rain or snow, and then find myself in a meeting with producers by 12 and a shopping trip to Saks by 3. I have to be able to keep warm and be able to be mobile on the set and look presentable in high end stores and meetings. That being said, I dress in a uniform for most of the year. I wear slim dark jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt or dress shirt with a dark cashmere sweater over it. I will add a Uniqlo puffy jacket for warmth if needed. My coat is a black NorthFace puffy in winter and a slim wool overcoat in fall and spring. I almost always have some kind of wool or cotton scarf and I LOVE my Puma sneakers.
This was probably my favorite answer of his because although we talk about "work dress" the fact of the matter is we all work in different environments. It's important to dress not only visibly appropriate for work but also to be able to do the work in whatever you wear.
FFG: Besides The Good Wife, what are some of your all-time favorite shows from a costume/wardrobe perspective?
DL: I know it’s really really current, but I do love “Downton Abbey”. I think it is beautiful; it’s like a vacation once a week. I love Lucille Ball’s looks on “I Love Lucy” as well as all the clothes in “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. I just love that era. And let’s face it, I was crazy for Ginger’s clothes on “Gilligan’s Island”! What kind of 3 hour tour did she think she was going on?!?!? Oh! And “The Carol Burnett Show”. Bob Mackie was/is a genius.
FFG: Do any of those shows influence your work at all?
DL: Absolutely! I often think about those suits and dresses that were so Dior-esque on Lucille Ball and kind of chic. She made them funny, but they were also elegant. Bob Mackie’s wit and style and ability to tell a story in such a short amount of time is simply genius. His work is brilliant.
FFG: Who is the most difficult character to dress? And why?
DL: All of the characters have their own challenges. It really is hard to pick one out that is more challenging than the others. I am lucky that all the actors are wonderful collaborators and care about their clothes on the show. They trust me to make them look good while staying true to the characters.
FFG: Whose wardrobe on the show do you most envy?
DL: From a completely selfish place I would have to say Finn’s. His suits are custom made and they are stunning. And I know if I wore them I would look incredibly gorgeous and thin and tall, just like Matthew Goode. Right?!?!
Mathew Goode, ladies and gentlemen:
You're welcome.
FFG: If you weren't working on The Good Wife, what show would you want to work on?
DL: I’d love to try my hand at a period piece. I did period shows the whole time I was in school and then period plays and musicals afterward. I have assisted on period movies too. I know it’s a ton of work and you can’t run to a store and pick up what you need for a new scene. But there is something exciting and intoxicating about a period project. One of these days… I did just do a pilot called “Limitless” for CBS and that was a wonderful departure from the world of suits and lawyers on TGW. Like a busman’s holiday!
I hope you all enjoyed this peek into wardrobe of The Good Wife. I really enjoyed putting together the questions and appreciated Mr. Lawson's thoughtful, insightful answers.
Thank you all, Reader Friends, for reading. And a huge thank you to Dan Lawson for answering all my burning questions with such charm and grace. And, of course, thank you to Dryel for setting this opportunity up!
xoxo,
Gracey
