The Wardrobe Department

[Janice]

I watched seven episodes recently, and I saw Lucy wearing one outfit on three episodes. It's that beige wool skirt suit, with the oversized collar (almost looks like a jacket). She wore it on the show where she drives everyone crazy in the restaurant by changing her mind. She wore it on the show when Ethel kept telling everyone the same story over and over (how she told the old tenant that she wouldn't kick Lucy and Ricky out over the baby crying). I can't remember the third episode where she wore it.

My thinking is that back in the early days of television, they didn't have a huge budget and that the actors' wardrobes weren't endless. How about the rest of the cast. I haven't watched the show in ages, but I'm starting to get into it, and I'm noticing some recycling of clothes.

Talk to me....Irennnnneeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by Janice

I watched seven episodes recently, and I saw Lucy wearing one outfit on three episodes. It's that beige wool skirt suit, with the oversized collar (almost looks like a jacket). She wore it on the show where she drives everyone crazy in the restaurant by changing her mind. She wore it on the show when Ethel kept telling everyone the same story over and over (how she told the old tenant that she wouldn't kick Lucy and Ricky out over the baby crying). I can't remember the third episode where she wore it.

My thinking is that back in the early days of television, they didn't have a huge budget and that the actors' wardrobes weren't endless. How about the rest of the cast. I haven't watched the show in ages, but I'm starting to get into it, and I'm noticing some recycling of clothes.

Talk to me....Irennnnneeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucy's wardrobe was one of the best things about the show! I finally bought the ILL "Paper Dolls" book to find out more about the outfits.

In the first two seasons, which included the outfit you described, they didn't have much of a budget and the clothes were bought off the rack. After that, Lucy's clothes were designed especially for her. Several styles were repeated with slight variations (material and trim). Lucy liked to re-use the outfits because she thought that's what a real housewife would do.

I like the idea of seeing the familiar outfits, but then there would always be a new surprise added. Some outfits were easily recognizable like the dark pants outfit with the V-neck with wide nautical stripes (worn when she rehearses with King Cat Walsh or goes deep sea fishing).

Ethel, Fred and Ricky also had a lot of repeats. A memorable dress of Ethel's is the dark one with white arrows around the neckline (seen when Lucy hires a maid). Ricky's ties reappear, and how many times does Fred wear that shirt with double flapped-pockets? He even wears it with a tie!

[Janice]

Thanks Madame X. I noticed that Lucy's house dresses are similiar in style. She had the waist of a 20-year old, and she sure liked to show it off. Of course Lucy had terrific legs too. I recall seeing them in some showgirl episode -- with the fruit on her head if I'm not mistaken.

Ricky's suit were nice, and he looked very distinquised in them. It's too bad we couldn't see their clothes in color. Lucy's polka-dot dress is quite popular, and the one people often wear if they're dressing in costume as Lucy.

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by Janice

Lucy's polka-dot dress is quite popular, and the one people often wear if they're dressing in costume as Lucy.

Janice, it's funny you should mention that dress! The original was in navy blue, but Elois Jenssen designed variations of this dress that appeared in more than 25 episodes. It is also the dress that was created in miniature for the first in the series of Lucy collector dolls.

[Frischman_Fan]

I think it's great how they wore the same outfits on different episodes. It shows that yea Lucy and Rick had money but it didn't hurt Lucy to wear the same outfit. Originality! I mean have you watched The Honeymooners lately?!

[Madame X]

When wearing the same clothing repeatedly, it adds to the identity and development of a character. We get to know them and their personalities and feel comfortable with them.

Fake and shallow character development in modern sitcoms provide us with a "fashion parade" of clothing styles to try and keep us interested. It is hard to identify with that.

It is comforting to see Lucy and Ethel in their "ratty old bathrobes," and Fred in his work duds and long-johns. Even when Ricky is in a tuxedo for work, we can identify with him coming home at 2:00am and ripping that damn thing off. That's what we would do.

[Lodee]

If you watch the bob Hope special where they do the spoof of I Love Lucy you'll notice that Ethel is wearing that suit. Talk about recycling! And in the Desilu Review Carole Cook is wearing one of Lucy's maternity dresses.

[Lodee]

PS to Janice: I love The Soprano's too! LOL

[AB]

I always remember Ethel saying she only had 3 dresses, but I think she was just kidding. I didn't mind seeing them wear the same outfits on different shows, it was kind of nice, made them seem like the average housewife.

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by annball1957

I always remember Ethel saying she only had 3 dresses, but I think she was just kidding. I didn't mind seeing them wear the same outfits on different shows, it was kind of nice, made them seem like the average housewife.

Yep, I think that was the point. Poor Ethel made it sound like she got one dress a year. I am sure she was just kidding because Fred was portrayed as a tightwad. Somehow Ethel got some dresses.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Madame X

Lucy's wardrobe was one of the best things about the show! I finally bought the ILL "Paper Dolls" book to find out more about the outfits.

In the first two seasons, which included the outfit you described, they didn't have much of a budget and the clothes were bought off the rack. After that, Lucy's clothes were designed especially for her. Several styles were repeated with slight variations (material and trim). Lucy liked to re-use the outfits because she thought that's what a real housewife would do.

I like the idea of seeing the familiar outfits, but then there would always be a new surprise added. Some outfits were easily recognizable like the dark pants outfit with the V-neck with wide nautical stripes (worn when she rehearses with King Cat Walsh or goes deep sea fishing).

Ethel, Fred and Ricky also had a lot of repeats. A memorable dress of Ethel's is the dark one with white arrows around the neckline (seen when Lucy hires a maid). Ricky's ties reappear, and how many times does Fred wear that shirt with double flapped-pockets? He even wears it with a tie!

You said it! Sorry I read this thread too late. I just seen this.

Lucy wanted the viewers to feel comfortable and of course give some reality to the show. Something I find waaaaay ahead of its time considering this was the 50's, the start of television sitcoms and here was this red-headed genius worrying abt how her female viewers would see her.

It was pure genius on Lucy's part, to have the characters wear certain outfits over and over. How many women in America (especially at that time) could afford to have a different outfit everyday? Not many. Even now, it still works. Look at Roseanne. Roseanne wanted to have a show that would be memorable and as succesful as I Love Lucy. Well, Roseanne did it by following the same formula: realism. The Conners didn't wear designer clothes. They rotated their outfits. It gives credence to the characters.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Lodee

PS to Janice: I love The Soprano's too! LOL

Good taste in television, I see. I've watched just about all of the HBO Original Series, from start to finish. Nobody puts out a show like HBO.

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

You said it! Sorry I read this thread too late. I just seen this.

Lucy wanted the viewers to feel comfortable and of course give some reality to the show. Something I find waaaaay ahead of its time considering this was the 50's, the start of television sitcoms and here was this red-headed genius worrying abt how her female viewers would see her.

It was pure genius on Lucy's part, to have the characters wear certain outfits over and over. How many women in America (especially at that time) could afford to have a different outfit everyday? Not many. Even now, it still works. Look at Roseanne. Roseanne wanted to have a show that would be memorable and as succesful as I Love Lucy. Well, Roseanne did it by following the same formula: realism. The Conners didn't wear designer clothes. They rotated their outfits. It gives credence to the characters.

Yep! As far as I'm concerned, it is Lucy and Roseanne alone in this concept. Nothing else comes close to what they wanted to accomplish.

[batcat24]

What about that dress Lucy wore that was cut and had pants?She wore it in L A at last.What about that dress Lucy wore over to Tallua Bankheads house on The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour?Lucy got pant all over that dress.What about the pants she wore in The First Stop?Lucy may have been one of the first women to wore pants on tv.Lucy had alot of nice cloth.That was a nice dress Lucy wore in Lucy changes her mind.Lucy looked good in pants.

[Frischman_Fan]

In The Honeymooners, Trixie is shown wearing a dark floral nightgown and a few episodes later, Alice is shown wearing the same one. Boy, talk about budget cuts.