Sigourney Weaver’s Awful Outfits on Political Animals
Political Animals was in most ways primed for adoration: The cast is pretty much top-shelf, the faux-Clintonian setup rife with drama, the characters themselves well drawn. But the show has been sort of a let-down, with Ciarán Hinds’s way, way over-the-top Bud Hammond (one drawl away from an O Brother Where Art Thou villain), Dylan Baker’s comically evil VP (Al Gore he is not), and, most egregiously, Sigourney Weaver’s horrendous costumes. Weaver’s a knockout, and there was much to enjoy about her not–Hillary Clinton Elaine Barrish character, a former First Lady turned presidential candidate turned secretary of state. But how many corset-waisted skirts can one woman own? If last night’s miniseries finale turns out to be the end of the road for PA, consider this a retrospective. If USA makes the unlikely decision to spin PA into a full series, consider this a cry for help. Journey with us through the many terrible outfits of Sigourney Weaver.
At first, this seemed like just an ill-cut pantsuit. (Must those legs be so voluminous?) But it turned out to be a jumpsuit. A jumpsuit! A professiona...
At first, this seemed like just an ill-cut pantsuit. (Must those legs be so voluminous?) But it turned out to be a jumpsuit. A jumpsuit! A professional political jumpsuit! What a totally normal thing to wear.
Here's Elaine Barrish on the campaign trail, shilling for Adrian Pasdar's Garcetti (who eventually gets elected president). There is no skirt-length l...
Here's Elaine Barrish on the campaign trail, shilling for Adrian Pasdar's Garcetti (who eventually gets elected president). There is no skirt-length less flattering or more awkward than the length that hits riiiiight at the widest part of the calf. But this is just a harbinger of the skirt nightmares to come.
See? Skirts aren't supposed to interact with the necklines of shirts.
That's a different corset-waisted skirt! At what point does a skirt go up so high it becomes a dress?
Same outfit, now in JBF mode, which at least proves that it's separates, not a fake-out dress.
Okay, this was pretty, but a little bit severe. Loosen the choker a little, please.
Hey, another skirt whose waist panel looks like Wonder Woman's tiara.
This is in a flashback, hence the Lisa Rinna on Melrose Place hair, but it is still no good. Bad neckline, bad sleeve ... things, bad gathering on the...
This is in a flashback, hence the Lisa Rinna on Melrose Place hair, but it is still no good. Bad neckline, bad sleeve ... things, bad gathering on the side.
Bonus! Sigourney looks fine here, but Ciarán Hinds looks hilarious. This is his most understated, subtle scene in the whole series.
Another one of those skirts, although this is by far the best one, thanks to its slim cut through the hips.
When it looked like a crisp business shirt, this top seemed okay. When it turned out to be a taffeta tunic of some kind, it seemed less so.
Seems like sort of a low-cut top for an official meeting.
It's our old skirt friend, back in anoher episode for more slate-grey flowyness, now with blazer for added confusion.
Actually, this is okay.
As a blazer, this could maybe work, but as a skirt suit, it just reads like a she's wrapped herself in a tapestry. Why is this the jacket that gets bu...
As a blazer, this could maybe work, but as a skirt suit, it just reads like a she's wrapped herself in a tapestry. Why is this the jacket that gets buttoned all the way to the chin? And can this finally put to rest the idea that A-line skirts are universally flattering?
Also, ha! Even this tapestry skirt has a corset waist.
And this is what she wore to crash her son's impromptu elopement. Maybe don't wear off-white to your son's wedding? Maybe also don't wear shapeless li...
And this is what she wore to crash her son's impromptu elopement. Maybe don't wear off-white to your son's wedding? Maybe also don't wear shapeless linen sacks?