We’ll be recapping every episode of Outlander this season, both in blog post AND podcast. Kendra and Sarah will be focusing mostly on the costumes — designed by Terry Dresbach — in our blog posts, but probably tackling both the costumes and the story itself in our podcasts.
Aaaand… you guessed it. Kendra is about to fly home from London, Sarah is in New Orleans, and we suck. So, no podcast this week! We promise to be back with an extra-long podcast next week recapping both episodes 9 and 10!
For those who aren’t regular Frock Flicks readers: this blog and podcast is all about costumes in historical movies and TV shows, and we approach things from the angle of history. So, expect us to be talking about the costumes primarily from the point of view of comparison with the real history of the 1740s. We’ll also talk about costume in terms of story, and the deviations that come with this one having the fantasy element of time travel. But, know that when we talk about that dreaded phrase “historical accuracy,” we’re not doing it to be mean or judgy. It’s just one lens through which to watch this fabulous show.
This was a super boy-riffic episode in terms of costumes — lots of extras wearing really great wooly, distressed outfits while hanging out in their Highland army camp. No doubt I missed some of the costumes, and sadly I’m not going to have tons to say other than “nice layers! good distressing! very realisitic!”
We’re reunited with Murtagh, who is happy being manly in Scotland (no more namby pamby Frenchies!).
Claire is all wrapped up in her arisaid (plaid).
She looks really comfortable in these clothes.
The men are manly.
Lots of distressing, lots of layers, lots of kilts.
Look – it’s an SCA event!
Yay, the comic relief is back!
Claire’s in wool jackets all through the episode. This fichu/neckerchief looks cozy. Is it knitted?
Dougal’s back! TEAM DOUGAL FTW (not because he’s such a great guy, but because he’s soooo handsome)!
Same kilt pattern as Jamie?
Love all the blue edging/stitching on Jamie’s jacket.
LOTS of extras in very believable clothing. I can understand why costume designer Terry Dresbach said they made over 1,000 costumes for season 2.
Claire’s hair is elegant yet practical.
Fergus is back, too! Claire’s knitted fichus seem more tightly knitted/smaller yarn this season…. a response to all the complaints about anachronistic knits in season 1?
A posed still showing Claire’s knitted fichu/shawl.
Flashback to World War II! Claire in practical clothing just suits her to a T. And, love the 1940s rolled updo.
Claire contemplates war, what is it good for while wearing mitts.
We’ve joked before about Jamie’s “leather” jacket, now he gets a real leather jacket!
Also, Jamie’s hair looks quite good in most of these scenes.
A line up of Highland soon-to-be-soldiers.
Beards, wool, tams…
Jamie’s leather from the back. Still cut in an 18th century style.
Woot, boys with their shirts off!
Jamie and Dougal square off a LOT during this episode.
Whatever, I’ll just keep ogling Dougal’s chest. RRRRR. Also, I want to touch his head. And not in a polite way.
Dougal tries to pull the wool (ha ha) over Claire’s eyes…
But she’s having none of it in her quilted stomacher and wool jacket.
The seaming on this jacket was nice — notice how the sleeve seam matches up with the back shoulder seam. Also, cute pleats at the center back waist.
Claire has War Issues.
There’s that same fichu again.
Back in WWII in PANTS, which you can’t see here but which are super cute.
Knitted mitts.
There were lots of great kilt shots in this episode. I know it’s de rigeur, but I enjoyed watching how the kilts were pleated into the shoulder brooches.
Claire’s jacket is spiral laced (ie only one lace) over her stomacher.
Here you can see those center back waist pleats.
Claire may have war trauma, but I’m loving her 1940s rolls!
Everyone is in brown and blue, harmonizing with the colors of the Highlands.
Claire = not Team War.
At least Jamie is there to take care of her.
And get all ROWR-y with his tousled hair.
The son of the Earl/Viscount/Whatever, last name Grey. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be important later on.
YES PLEASE
Claire’s shift has a high drawstring neckline.
Off to see Bonnie Prince Chuck in my leather jacket, NBD.
Yes, Dougal, you may do the honors.
Thanks to Kiss Them Goodbye for the screen caps!
Give us all your thoughts on this episode, and we promise to be all your’s again as of next week!
I hope Sarah has a chance to eat Brunch at Brennans in New Orleans.
But I still missed the shiny French clothes. But Highland Matchmakers Ltd almost made up for it. Wee Fergus is still soo cute. I imagine Wee Fergus growing into a handsome very tall person in Voyager. I really thought Murtagh, Dougal, Jamie would lead the raw recruits in a Band of Brothers Currahee hike up Ben Nevis. *she says tongue firmly planted in check*.
I too expect that the young English Grey will grow into – TADA! Spoiler Lord John.
I enjoyed the WWI Il flashbacks as Claire has yet to come to terms with her PTSD. I hope the scenes with BPC in Edinburgh will have shiny English clothes.
And I leave you with the famous words of Miracle Max, ‘Have fun storming the castle, boys.’
Could someone please tell me how spiral lacing ties/fastens? If you only have one lace, how does it stay fastened?
Love love love all the woolens. Be still my heart…
(P.S. You guys shouldn’t feel bad about skipping posts when your team is on their European vacay. I could not believe Sarah and Kendra were podcasting while in Paris! I resented having to sleep when I was in London. NO way I would have done work! In any case, your posts are appreciated, even more so when we know you are missing out on eating eclairs just to bring them to us!)
What I do to tie off spiral lacing is just lace back through the top or bottom laces a few more times, & that usually secures it enough. But there’s various methods that can work! Our friend Jen Thompson has perhaps the best page ever on spiral lacing here: http://www.festiveattyre.com/p/the-zen-of-spiral-lacing.html
Thanks for the info AND the link to the great article!
Spot on again with your analysis – well, according to me! Lots of agreeing here. Jamie does need to take his shirt off at least once an episode. And Dougal too. I’m thinking it’s time to resurrect my sewing machine, get a pattern, and make me a highlander outfit for Halloween this year. Can’t wait to read your review of the plaid jacket that BPC is wearing in the promos for next episode. I love the Paris fashions, but there’s just something about a plaid that make my heart beat faster….
I got really excited when I saw BPC’s jacket as well! I’m pretty sure that is a replica from a famous portrait I’ve seen somewhere…
in the book ‘Dragonfly In Amber’ Claire says that BPC comes into a cottage to see the Fraser soldiers and he’s dressed in a jacket of the Cameron plaid. I’m guessing that’s the reason for the finery!
I agree. But I believe the portrait is a Victorian homage. I believe the only existent portrait of HRH is the one Bendour Grovesnor found.
Should Claire be wearing the Fraser plaid? Did wives do that or only the men?
There was no Clan Tartan registry or ruling before Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott. They wore what was woven locally. And why do you keep using the word “plaid” if it’s an American term and not specific to the Scottish weaves? The correct term is tartan.
Actually, misat0, “plaid” is correct, not merely an American term (though it is used somewhat differently today than in the past). A “tartan” is the specific pattern, usually referring to the modern patterns we associate with specific clans; a “plaid” can refer either to the garment itself (be it a kilt, shawl, arisaid, etc.), or to the woven pattern.
What you say about clan tartans is of course correct, they didn’t exist until the Victorian era, though prior to the Clearances, people in a certain area might all wear the same plaid style. Weavers would thread the loom a certain way with the colors available in the area, and unless you could afford to have them change it, you’d be stuck with what they had.