Claire Danes covers the new issue of Interview magazine and as the format of these Q&A’s has another star performing the role of interviewer the direction of the conversation can differ from the usual cover story fare. Dustin Hoffman is at the helm of this interview and it’s not surprising that it reveals more about the acting process than you would find in either of Danes’ Vogue pieces from this year. The photo shoot has drawn a lot of attention (Danes is topless, but covered in one shot) and these photographs are stunning, but it’s TV focused discussion that has me enthralled as she talks about Homeland, Temple Grandin and My So-Called Life.

While I have found Homeland frustrating at times and this season has been incredibly problematic with the reliance on manic Carrie and the big old twist, it seems that Danes also has concerns with how Carrie’s condition is portrayed “Yeah. At first, I was concerned that it would just be a gimmick. I still am. I’m always anxious about it because it’s fun to see crazy Carrie. She’s exciting, you know? And this is entertainment—there’s no way we could see what goes into just the everyday slog for her of remaining afloat.”

When Carrie spirals in season 1 “it was kind of a euphoric mania, and that was interesting because I found that I got a bit of a contact high from it—It was exhausting, but it was also exhilarating.” This year has been more of a challenge and even though Danes has been playing this character for three years it’s a completely different type of mania and Danes’ personal situation is different too “I had just come out of my mommy cocoon and my cushy, mushy love planet. So entering that mania at that point was not as enjoyable.”

Danes is big into her research with this role and when she played Temple Grandin and Dustin Hoffman reveals that he met with Grandin when he was preparing for Rain Man. One of Danes’ best friends is a therapist and so she discussed Carrie’s condition with her, but what Danes really wanted was to witness someone in a manic state. Danes turned to YouTube as a place to research bipolar disorder and she studied videos of people in a manic state she believes that “a lot of these people are also very eager to share what they’re going through because I’m sure it is quite isolating and scary at times.” It’s important to portray something like this with as much accuracy as possible and no one version of this disorder is going to be identical to another. With Temple Grandin it was a less abstract experience as she met Grandin and she could also read her books.

The one character that really required no research was Angela Chase and Danes talks with fondness for this show and this experience:

“It’s kind of fun to watch My So-Called Life when it comes on, though. There are only 19 episodes, which actually seems like a lot now that I do 12 episodes a season on Homeland. But it was a strange, cult thing where we didn’t even do a full season, but the episodes that we did do got picked up and were rerun by a bunch of different cable networks, so the show was on for years and years and years—and was discovered by different generations, which was extraordinary. I guess I knew it was special back then, too, but it was my first big gig, so I had no sense of context. But I became close with a lot of people involved—and I am still. It was a seminal experience for me, both professionally and personally. The writer of the show, Winnie Holzman, is still a very dear friend of mine. She’s kind of my mentor—my fairy godmother, I call her. But that was wild because I was the same age as the character, and there was an incredible symmetry between us—unlike Carrie Mathison, who in no way resembles me. I would be the worst case officer on the planet. I am so ill suited to Carrie’s vocation. But Angela Chase was just another high school student.”

Hoffman brings up a photo shoot that Danes did with Spike Jonze for Interview magazine when she was 15 and while this isn’t the photo they talk about, there is something so appealing about the series of facial expressions in the shot below.

It’s essentially a series of selfies and the one thing that always strikes me about Danes is that she has no vanity when it comes to how she uses her face. Yes she is beautiful, but she doesn’t just go for the shots that make her look this way and it’s why her cry face is much discussed and so damn good. These shots are the kind of dumb shit that most 15 -year-olds with a camera would do and thankfully it’s not a series of attempts at a sexy pout. She does recall this shoot and how Jonze asked her to “Be sexy” and she ended up doing this goofy finger point because she didn’t know how to pose in this way. Those plastic butterfly clips are everything.

Since starting Homeland Danes hasn’t played anyone else and it’s something that she is itching to do “I would really like to play another character to deviate from Carrie for a second just because I’m starting to think that acting is this, and while this is one of the most fulfilling expressions of acting that I’ve found, it’s not why I do it. It’s not it. I think I’d appreciate her even more if I could take a little vacation from her and inhabit somebody else for a while.”

Working in TV can be all consuming because of the long work hours and the high output. This also means learning lines at a rapid rate and Danes shares this process with husband Hugh Dancy who is currently on Hannibal “We’re always running lines with each other. We’ll run lines with each other on the phone. I run lines with him in taxicabs.” I am now picturing a conversation that only involves lines from Will Graham and Carrie Mathison and it’s wonderful.

One general note on the editorial stylings as that is a ’90s looking rose brown lip color that is Danes is rocking.

To read the whole interview head here.

As if this wasn’t obvious enough already, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has given us another reason why we might need our very own Mandy Patinkin. There’s already The Princess Bride factor (a film I hadn’t seen until this year “Inconceivable!”), his musical talent and the all important magnificent Saul beard and now there’s more. That’s right Mandy Patinkin is the Candy Crush Whisperer and seeing as I’m currently stuck on level 140 I could do with some Patinkin in my life. As Claire Danes best put it at the 2012 Emmys “Mandy Patinkin, holla!”

There’s enough time for one more magazine for Claire Danes to cover before the end of the year and Glamour’s first 2014 issue goes to the Homeland star. For any regular visitors you will know that Danes is a TV Ate My Wardrobe favorite and we’re always pleased with how forthcoming she is in interviews. In Glamour she discusses both personal and work related aspects of her life including her much memed cry face.

One question that can produce a lot of umming and ahing from female celebrities is “Are you a feminist?” Is it because they worry about alienating some fans? Or do they simply think that feminism equates to being a man hater? Whatever the reason it is frustrating, so it’s always refreshing to see someone answer this question with clarity and passion:

“I am a feminist. And I’m so glad that Lena Dunham exists, because she is one too, and she’s quite vocal about it. Yes, women have more freedom and more influence than ever, but it’s hardly equal. It’s just not. It’s really f–king crazy. I’m sorry I’m cursing. But it’s wild that women are underrepresented [in Hollywood]. I have real anxiety about directing, and that’s something to question and challenge and correct.”

I mean not everyone will necessarily be happy with the Dunham reference as she is incredibly polarizing, but Danes has been a vehement supporter of the Girls creator – she wrote about Dunham earlier this year for Time magazine and they had this super cute Seacrest interrupting moment together on the Emmy red carpet:

Claire Danes’ cry face has been mesmerizing since Angela Chase (over at This Was TV we talked about it a lot) and when her chin begins to quiver it pretty much guarantees that I will get the misty eyes. In past interviews Danes has come across as a tad annoyed at the attention this gets, this isn’t so much the case this time as she talks about it in terms of the character she is portraying “I think people are made uncomfortable by uncensored expressions of emotion. But, you know, that’s my job. I don’t have those fears. I really have never been concerned about being beautiful on-screen. That’s just not my jam. I’m concerned about it if I’m playing a beautiful character. But it’s not relevant for Carrie.”

Oh hey it’s a super cute dog.

Moving on to Carrie’s wardrobe and the brand they favor for this character “Carrie wears a lot of Theory. That is her brand. She’s a Theory girl. It’s a lot of navy. A lot of navy. I actually forget how to wear my own clothing when I’m filming because I wear basically the same pair of jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt and then change out of it and immediately into my pantsuit.” It makes sense for who Carrie is as a character that her clothes are very functional as her life is chaotic enough; can you imagine if they put her in the pattern clashing costumes of Mindy Lahiri? Or all the polka dots of Jess Day? Now I want to create paper dolls to switch outfits between sitcom and drama characters. Sounds like a job for Kyle Hilton.

For more Claire Danes in Glamour you can pick up an issue of the magazine on newsstands December 10.

It’s TV Ate My Wardrobe’s first festive season and to mark this occasion we are hosting a very special rewind series. What this means is that we will be featuring a whole host of guest posts and in the spirit of the holidays we have asked a variety of writers to discuss a festive episode of their choice. These will be appear on the site over the next couple of weeks and there’s an eclectic mix including teen dramas, science fiction, animation, comedy, drama and more to get you in the celebratory mood. Or to at least give you plenty of suggestions of TV to watch over the break.

Today join me as I discuss the My So-Called Life episode “So Called Angels”

As with Halloween and Thanksgiving, the festive period gives teen dramas an opportunity to explore the wider themes of impending adulthood; Halloween can enhance the exploration of who the characters are and want to be through costume and as with Thanksgiving, Christmas opens up the idea of what a family is. Family can mean many things and the extension of friends as family is an important component.

My So-Called Life heads into “Very Special Episode” territory with “So-Called Angels” as Rickie is beaten up and kicked out of his house; the opening scene is Rickie bleeding into the snow and it’s a very bleak intro to a festive themed episode. This is another thing about the holidays and TV drama; bad things happen and the resolution tends to be a happy one after a series of trials and tribulations. MSCL deals with a wide range of issues in this outing including teen homelessness, religion, privilege, prejudice, holiday related depression and domestic abuse. It’s one of the cheesier episodes thanks to the presence of an actual angel (more on that below) and a well telegraphed message, but at the same time it’s a Christmas episode and so sentimentality is expected.

Angela has new boots and these become a symbol of the things that people have and don’t have. This goes from sibling jealousy to conversations with dead people; for a show that is grounded in reality there are two episodes in which Angela talks to the dead (the other being Halloween). Singer Juliana Hatfield (cue raspy, sad sounding music which you can hear below) guest stars as a girl who died on the streets because of the cold, a girl who appears to both Angela and her mother to impart an important message. Angel Juliana Hatfield tells Angela that her good boots were stolen and now she can’t get warm. This conversation is all about showing the vast socioeconomic difference between Angela and this girl, Graham has already emphasized how warm Angela’s boots look. Angela leaves her boots for Angel Hatfield and they must be magical as Angel Hatfield manages to wear them even though she is dead. Yes I am only questioning the logic of this aspect.

Juliana Hatfield is a guardian angel of sorts for Rickie; she’s there to show Angela where Rickie has been sleeping so she can come to his aid. It’s a Wonderful Life is the quintessential guardian angel Christmas movie and as MSCL’s production company is called “Bedford Falls” it all makes sense. Angel Hatfield is also there to dish out some words of wisdom to Patty; Patty who is wary of Rickie because she doesn’t know him in the same way she knows someone like Brian Krakow. Angela and Patty get into a fight about the Rickie situation and Angela turns the tables exclaiming that “This girl [Juliana Hatfield], she could be me.”

Patty can’t reconcile this comparison until she meets our guitar winged visitor. This is where the episode takes a sharp turn cheese avenue, but it’s also the point where the misty eyes kick in. I’ve seen this episode countless times (it is part of my present wrapping watching playlist) and the tears hit at the same point every single time. I am a sucker for heavy handed comparisons that layer it on with emotions. That’s right Angela could be Angel Hatfield. If that wasn’t enough the combination of the choir and Patty embracing Rickie in the church sends me over the edge.

The B story of the episode is on the lighter side, even if Brian Krakow is on the verge of tears thanks to his feelings of perpetual loneliness. It’s ok because Sharon has enlisted Rayanne to help with the help line (in the all important bathroom location – those who read the This Was TV MSCL posts will know how much I love this) and she distracts Brian by turning his plea for help call into something to distract him. Denying us the future chronicles of Sharon and Rayanne is one of the many reasons why I’m still bummed out that this is a one season show. This plot is an extension of the friends as family notion and the only person alone in the montage is Jordan Catalano, who I assume is lighting a candle for Rickie.

While the Rickie situation has been solved in the short term and he won’t be sleeping in an abandoned building for Christmas there is still a long way to go. The episode ends of a hopeful note and yet it doesn’t suggest that it’s all tied up in a bow; this is why My So-Called Life can indulge in fantastical elements because the next episode will face up to the reality of the situation.

It’s another red carpet and public appearance heavy week for Out of the Box as award shows continue to roll by. We also have a fabulous magazine cover featuring two of TV Ate My Wardrobe’s favorite ladies and some outerwear delights courtesy of Mr Porter and a Downton Abbey star.

It’s been a while since I last bought a copy of Entertainment Weekly, that all changes this week as Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are covering and guest editing this week’s issue. The pair are presenting their second consecutive Golden Globe awards and they were easily the highlight of last year’s ceremony. It’s a fun cover (though Amy’s pen did look like a pregnancy test upon first glance, which would have been a bizarre concept choice) and I really like the button/zip details on both of their dresses. No matter who wins (and I have OPINIONS when it comes to the nominations, including yay Amy and Parks!) at least we will have their opening monologue. This is also Amy Poehler’s second magazine cover this week and she looks super awesome (standard) on the cover of Paper.

One surprising omission from the lead female in a drama category is Claire Danes – SO happy for Tatiana Maslany though – and both Homeland and Mad Men have fallen out of favor with the HFPA. Danes has spent this week at a variety of Nobel Peace Prize events in Norway and she looks stunning in this Valentino floral macramé gown. It’s a beautiful dress for this concert event and toning down her hair and makeup makes sense as the multi-color pattern is already incredibly bold. Danes might not have got a Globes nod, but is still looks like she’s had a good week. It’s not all snubs as she received a SAG nomination.

In contrast to Claire Danes’ embellished frock is Fresh Meat’s Zawe Ashton and she attended the British Independent Film Awards in this simple, yet elegant Sarah Baadarani crew neck dove grey gown. While I would have probably gone for a strong lip color, the fresh faced no fuss look works on this occasion. It’s a very striking outfit even against a similarly toned background.

Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery wore the most exquisite Erdem check and floral coat on Good Morning America this week and it looks like it was needed in that weather. The hint of the orange Carven skirt and white pumps gives a pop of color that complements the strong design of the outerwear. This gets added to the coat covet list (which currently stands at approximately 78 different pieces).

Serving up model realness and more coat delights is Zachary Quinto for Mr Porter. This is from Burberry Prorsum and it is magnificent. The TV Ate My Wardrobe list includes dudes attire so we just hit number 79.

The SAG red carpet is a fun one, even if Giuliana Rancic was trying to make “radiant orchid” happen, no G that’s just dark purple. Bold color and so many sparkles feature in our best dressed list of movie and TV stars; with only one person making both of our best dressed rundowns from the Golden Globes and SAG Awards.

Breaking Bad took home Best Ensemble in a Drama and Anna Gunn has the perfect accessory with this Breaking Bad logo emblazoned Edie Parker clutch. The midnight blue shimmery Monique Lhuillier Resort 2014 gown is stunning and fits Gunn perfectly. Dramatic earrings and tousled hair are the perfect way to finish off this look.

Lupita Nyong’o has been the breakout star of this awards season and she deservedly won for her performance in 12 Years a Slave last night. As we saw with the Ralph Lauren caped dress, Nyong’o can pull off single block color with a twist and this turquoise Gucci affair has incredible floral embroidered straps with a hint of gold. This is a spectacular and I can’t wait to see what she wears to the Oscars.

Making a dramatic impact in blue was the big trend on the SAG Awards red carpet and Amy Adams does just this in an Antonio Berardi frock. Old Hollywood glamour is subverted thanks to the unusual bodice/asymmetric shapes and I love the embroidered crystals around the waist. Sparkles and blue ruled this event.

This is some serious shimmer from Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara (winners of Best Ensemble in a Comedy) in beaded Donna Karan Atelier. While the necklace is a statement too much for a gown like this, Vergara does look incredible and she totally knows how to work the red carpet.

Jennifer Lawrence was worried about her “armpit vagina” and we can categorically say this isn’t a problem as Dior finally got it right after months of missteps for the American Hustle star. The many different color sequins that make up this dress create a visual treat and it’s one of the most interesting looks from this red carpet.

On the other end of the shimmer scale is Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke in a custom Calvin Klein Collection liquid rose gold and she is radiant. Clarke also got to share a flirty and super awkward encounter on E! with Jared Leto; it was hard to look away from the Giuliana induced cringe even if they would look really good together (even if I kinda want the Leto/Taylor Swift thing to happen thanks to all the references to Red in My So-Called Life, readers of my This Was TV recaps with Julie Hammerle will know what I’m talking about).

Speaking of Jared Leto, he’s been working it this awards season (he won again last night, could Jordan Catalano win an Oscar?) and he ditched the man bun and let his locks run free. While my love for Jordan Catalano is no more (see the This Was TV discussions for why), I’m suddenly remembering why at 15 he was my number one crush (well joint with Pacey), see the ’90s really have made a comeback. The white bow tie is a nice twist on the standard black tux.

Leto’s Dallas Buyers Club co-star Jennifer Garner opted for a simple navy blue Max Mara dress and it’s a classic look. Now if only someone could lure Garner back to TV with an excellent project as I’d quite like some more Sydney Bristow in my life (and no it doesn’t have to be spy related, even if a guest spot on The Americans would be perfection).

I’ve yet to see a photo with the MSCL reunion this event should bring (I will be keeping my eyes peeled), so in the meantime here is Claire Danes (with Hugh Dancy) in a Vionnet VIP collection dress made up of several intricate components. It could have been a mess, especially when sheer is one of the factors and yet Claire Danes looks fantastic. The slightly darker hair and makeup add to the dramatic effect.

New Girl’s Hannah Simone has stuck to a more classic approach in a pale lavender Marchesa frock and she looks beautiful. A simple ’60s-esque updo and a fresh faced approach add to this ethereal look.

Who was your best dressed?

Claire Danes covered the January issue of Glamour magazine and mentioned that “Carrie wears a lot of Theory. That is her brand. She’s a Theory girl. It’s a lot of navy. A lot of navy.” Upon seeing Theory’s NYFW fall 2014 RTW collection we noticed several outfits that are very much the Carrie Mathison CIA uniform and here they are for your perusal.

Ok maybe Carrie wouldn’t wear some of the skirts (especially ones that are as sheer as this), but hey maybe she’ll want to try something new. The color palette favors the muted tones that Carrie prefers including the aforementioned navy.

Continuing our look at the Met Gala celebrating Charles James and part two (head here for part one) is focusing on the couples and dudes.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield have been on the promo trail for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 for months it seems and both of them deliver once again. While I’m mourning the loss of Andrew Garfield’s incredible hair, Emma Stone is doing a good distraction job with a chunky side-braid that’s making me long for hair that can be tied up again. Stone’s Thakoon two-piece in pink and magenta is incredibly eye-catching and the leg slit is tastefully provocative. In a grey Band of Outsiders tux jacket, Garfield is complementing the pinks of Stone’s ensemble while also standing out himself.

Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson were on the most anticipated list and they didn’t disappoint. Diane Kruger’s Jason Wu for Hugo Boss is sleek and the contrasting shimmery fabric on the bottom half is mesmerizing. Jackson doesn’t look too bad either. So many Pacey feelings right now.

Beyoncé’s black beaded Givenchy Couture gown is super sexy and like nothing else we saw on the red carpet at the Met Gala. The beaded veil ties the look together and the pop of burgundy lip color adds more dramatic impact. This is a great turn from Beyoncé and she tends to bring her A-game to this event (and to everything she does really). Jay Z is looking pretty dapper in a white tux jacket.

Sarah Silverman tends to do things differently on the red carpet and on this occasion she is wearing a maroon Zac Posen that is possibly the best interpretation of the 2014 theme (maybe tying with Taylor Swift). Michael Sheen’s done the decoration part of the dress code and the couple will be appearing together in the new season of Masters of Sex (which I’m already super anticipating).

One couple who don’t tend to pose together on the red carpet did away with this eye roll inducing policy last night. Both Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are wearing Gucci with Lively injecting some old Hollywood glamour into the Charles James celebration. This gown is pure Blake Lively (maybe too much) and the train adds a hint of romanticism to the look.

Claire Danes’ Oscar de la Renta gown is one we featured during NYFW and where Emma Stone’s ensemble is putting a contemporary twist on the Charles James theme, Danes is doing the same with color blocking pink and burgundy in a classic structured gown. The velvet/satin material twist is doing something different and a beardy Hugh Dancy looks pretty sharp in his traditional tuxedo.

Credit where credit is due as Kim Kardashian shows a big improvement on last year’s floral disaster. Maybe it’s the recent Vogue cover, but both Kim and Kanye look pretty damn good in Lanvin. Kanye’s gone all in with tails and a white piqué vest and while Kim’s daring thigh split was problematic, there’s no need to dwell on that when they look this good.

Now to the dudes and Matt Bomer in a tux is pretty much all I need to say.

Followed quickly by Benedict Cumberbatch in tails and he’s observing the dress code for the guys which asked for white tie and decorations – most have the white tie down, but Cumberbatch goes the extra distance with a pocket chain. Very dapper indeed.

For part one of our Met Gala coverage head here.

So many red carpets this week including the several Upfronts events we have already looked at (here and here) and “Out of the Box” is covering the best of everything else. We’ve got dudes looking dapper in suits and some super cute dresses now the weather is finally of the sunshine variety.

The Normal Heart is on the anticipated list and Matt Bomer is a power clashing delight at the premiere, wearing checks, polka dots and floral. This Tom Ford suit is exquisite and so is the dude wearing it.

This is a fun, flirty dress on Orange is the New Black’s (which is back in under a month!) Samira Wiley and the dotty trim at the bottom make it way more than just a run of the mill navy frock.

Here celebrating Born Free Africa Mother’s Day Family Carnival is Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, with Danes wearing a Marni maxi dress that is part of the exclusive Born Free range (available on ShopBop). It’s a beautiful design and it looks perfect for the warmer weather that is coming, plus it has pockets (always a bonus) and the proceeds go to an excellent cause. Dancy’s pale blue Oxford shirt and dark blue pants is the perfect complement to pinks on Danes’ dress and I’m digging his brown shoes.

An event at Windsor Castle hosted by Prince William is time to bring out the big guns and once again Benedict Cumberbatch is showing just how it is done; repeating the success of this Met Gala attire this time opting for a suit rather than grandiose tails.

Rashida Jones is making up for the Met Gala by wearing this beautiful Tanya Taylor ensemble. The skirt has a 50s kick to it and paired with a silk ivory tee it manages to look retro without feeling costumey. The side pony tail and pink lip add a fun and simple edge; this is a really great outfit and could go toe-to-toe with some of the other floral and spring inspired looks from the Upfronts this week.

Rachel Bilson looks adorable in a Mary Katrantzou floral print shift dress at the CW Upfront. The green and pink design is striking and pairing it with white Bionda Castana heels doesn’t detract, nor does it get the same blah effect a nude pair of shoes would give. The Hart of Dixie star is as delightful on the red carpet as ever.

Last night was the premiere for season 2 of Orange is the New Black and the red carpet stylings are as wildly different as the characters these women play. Taylor Schilling’s skull covered – which I first thought were Stormtroopers – Monique Lhuillier dress is a striking and bold look. Both Uzo Aduba and Danielle Brooks have gone for a different take on the full skirt/crop top trend and I love both interpretations. Aduba has gone for chic simplicity and Brooks has opted for deep purple/fuchsia, with Aduba adding a colorful pop with her lipstick choice. All three women are wearing metallic heels (once again three very different types) and they look amazing.

Roundtable season is here and I was waiting for the full video to be available on YouTube before I discussed the drama actress Hollywood Reporter session. The full transcript can be read here, but some of the points don’t come across in the same amusing tone and you’ll also miss out on Sarah Paulson’s John Travolta impression.

One aspect I find fascinating is seeing who out of the group is the most vocal and who only really speaks when specifically addressed. This isn’t to say that some of these women are trying to steal the spotlight from others, it’s just some of them are much more experienced when taking part in these types of discussions or they are naturally more talkative. Having a balance between those who take charge and the more shy participants is a good roundtable attribute as it means there is always going to be someone sharing, but it doesn’t descend into talking over each other chaos.

The lack of diversity on the cover is troubling and as this excellent piece points out, Jessica Paré (who I adore, definitely not a Megan hater here) is far from being a lead actress on Mad Men. Of course these roundtables are subject to who is available and this automatically rules out Kerry Washington (new baby). Washington shouldn’t be the only flag bearer of diversity and other figures such as Nicole Beharie, Lucy Liu, Danai Gurira and Archie Panjabi are a few that spring to mind. This isn’t just a Hollywood Reporter issue as the forthcoming Variety drama actress panel has a similar problem.

Let’s get the other negative talking point out of the way and there is an insistence when it comes to the styling of drama actress covers to go for a pastel color palette (Vanity Fair is another offender), neutrals or monochrome; bold color is seemingly reserved for comedic actresses and this coding is rather tired Also why are they all looking so timid? They all portray women who would not stand for this nervous approach so it’s disappointing to see The Hollywood Reporter go for a shot like this.

Oh and Keri Russell somehow makes the Burberry Prorsum lace and granny panties look work; this is an incredible skill as I recoiled when I first saw this on the runway last September.

*End of rant*

The actual conversation manages to skirt around the “having it all” trap – a man will never get asked about juggling family and work – with children only coming up while they discuss paparazzi intrusion and scenes that have been difficult to shoot. Julianna Margulies’ tip to get rid of paps is to wear the same outfit to the gym as it looks like the photos are from the same day and Claire Danes talks about how aggressive they are when she is with her son, which is super shitty. The difficult scene Danes shot on Homeland occurred when she was seven and a half months pregnant and she was portraying a kidnapped Carrie Mathison. Also shooting love scenes while pregnant are as awkward as you can imagine, especially when the baby is kicking super hard. Baby Danes is not a Carrie/Brody shipper.

One fascinating part of the conversation deals with career lows and while this could end up being rather trite, there is a good cross section of success/failure stories. Both Keri Russell and Claire Danes experienced success in their first shows at a young age (and both won Golden Globes for these performances) and have followed a similar career trajectory. Although Russell doesn’t seem to have experienced the same low points as Danes and seems rather content with how it’s all turned out so far. Danes talks about her acting transition period and how doing Temple Grandin changed her acting outlook “I really didn’t have any tolerance for a limited kind of secondary role. I had to wait for Carrie on Homeland. She was the first character who could match Temple’s dynamism. It was the first time I was scared into action, and that felt great.”

Julianna Margulies has also been on not one, but two hit shows and also had a large period of time between both. Whereas Sarah Paulson was on a show that was expected to do well (Studio 60) and it was canceled after one season “It was not only my expectations I was dealing with; I was dealing with everybody else’s expectations about something that was disappointing for them, too.” Jessica Paré is currently experiencing what it feels like to be on a cultural phenomenon that is coming to an end and it sounds like she’s pretty terrified at the prospect as “I’m going back to that place of not having work and not knowing what’s next.”

Awards success doesn’t always translate into an influx of fascinating offers as Vera Farmiga can attest and after her Oscar nomination for Up in the Air she didn’t get a whole lot of work. With Bates Motel she initially resisted, but after reading the script she realized there was something to the part and reimagining of this story. Later on Farmiga refers to the “sophistication in the writing of female characters on TV” and this group reinforces the notion that there are far stronger and varied roles for women on TV as opposed to film. This also translates to the creative forces behind the camera with Julianna Margulies listing all the women who work on The Good Wife “My unit production manager is a woman, two of my executive producers are women and three of the writers.” Female directors have worked on all of these shows with the exception of American Horror Story.

As I’m currently watching Felicity for the first time and I’ve written about the love triangle in a pre-social media era, a question about this show and how its defining moment in pop culture would have been received on social media is going to peak my interest. Of course it is haircut related and Keri Russell is pretty shoulder shrug about the whole thing as a shocking TV moment “You think a haircut’s going to beat out blow jobs? That’s so tame compared to what’s going on now.”

For more including a bakery venture I want to happen and unfiltered thoughts on John Travolta’s Oscar mispronunciation watch the whole discussion below.

Season 4 of Homeland is all about Carrie Mathison’s struggles with motherhood. Okay, maybe that’s not quite the central focus of this new promo, but the shot of the adorable framed mother and baby photo seems to indicate that this will come into play particularly when you factor in the baby as Carrie’s last tie to the now departed Brody (which, groan I guess). Juggling work/motherhood is not always the most interesting angle and yet with Carrie I am fascinated with how they will address this conflict. As the first Brodyless season Carrie’s obsession will have to take on a new focus and while it looks like she is rejecting motherhood – she “doesn’t have a choice” – this could be the constant niggle for her this year. That and the amount of casualties from the 14 year war (or 14 one year wars as Saul suggests) are taking their toll on all involved including the new addition of Corey Stoll who already looks flustered and a very sad looking Quinn surrounded by takeout and booze.

Homeland has struggled to hit the highs of season 1 and like many I have grown frustrated with the show (nothing has been as good as the Carrie color coordinated wall of investigation) sticking with it out a sense of hope that it will get better. The Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin factor (plus my maybe irrational shipping of Carrie and Quinn) is another reason I’ve continued watching and I’ve yet to tire of the Cry Face of Glory as some have. Carrie is rather restrained in this teaser for anyone who is fed up of extreme Carrie. The lack of any Brody family members in this teaser is also satisfying (sorry guys, but your time has come) and I want to see what Homeland can do when the focus is elsewhere.

Homeland returns Sunday, October 5 and the song playing in the teaser is “Hole in the Middle” by Emily Jane White.

The 2014 Emmy Red Carpet coverage continues and now we’ve addressed the stunning black and white frocks from the evening it is time to revel in all the vibrant colors that were on display.

I wanted to use a photo of this dress in posed motion as Mad Men’s Teyonah Parris takes what could be an awkward dress by Christian Siriano and has fun with it. The chartreuse skirt and candy colored bodice make this a standout look and one Parris wears well.

Let’s take a look at the red gowns of the night of which there were many. Claire Danes is wearing my favorite with an embellished Givenchy frock including lace cut outs, belting and foliage looking collar. All of these factors combined could be a bit much, however Danes looks elegant. Good lipstick choice too. Bonus Hugh Dancy with added conflicted ‘lack of facial hair’ feelings.

You can always count on January Jones to wear something dramatic and she does just this in this patterned and pocketed Prabal Gurung delight. A terrific shade of lip color for this dress, but what was up with her hair?

Moving from bad hair to amazing with Julia Louis-Dreyfus (another attic painting candidate) in a raspberry colored Carolina Herrera and like Claire Danes she has a thin belt to accentuate her silhouette. The buckles don’t stop here as the straps also use this detail and JLD shone on the night for smooches, speeches and her gown.

Another dramatic and stunning Rubin Singer frock with Keke Palmer showing how to wear a whole lot of dress with simple accessories and makeup/hair. This cobalt blue is striking and Palmer is a standout.

Also making an impression in an arresting color is Allison Tolman in an emerald Romona Keveza one-shouldered frock. Such a good choice for the first time Emmy nominee.

Natalie Dormer strikes an almost Wonder Woman like J. Mendel orange topped delight – if it looks familiar it’s because Michelle Monaghan wore something from the same collection on Saturday – and Dormer’s hair deserves a special mention for distracting me from some of the terrible styles on display.

Another orange frock and Kerry Washington’s Prada getup is one that I keep changing my mind on, so I’m including it while I sit on the fence. I like it in motion and the sparkly mini skirt element is really appealing; I’m just not sure if it is trying to do too much and failing to tie it all together.

Another of the dramatic leg slit trend and Anna Gunn’s Jenny Packham frock is a color block and patterned beauty. Digging her Edie Parker ‘Lara’ clutch and gold sandals too as she celebrates the last Breaking Bad Emmy outing.

Michelle Dockery is always a red carpet favorite and as with her Roland Mouret outfit at the weekend this Rosie Assoulin is working a fancy table cloth look. I realize this doesn’t sound like a positive, but I really love this frock and the colors on Dockery.

Velvet in August is a bold choice from Allison Janney and even though it bears a resemblance to a Quality Street, Janney is working it like a double winner in one year should.

My So-Called Life premiered August 25 1994 when I was two weeks shy of turning 12. I didn’t see this show until 3 years later and this was probably for the best as I didn’t need Angela Chase until that miserable summer. Despite its short length of only 18 episodes I have managed to spill a whole lot of personal/analytical/style observations and while I touched on what I cover below, the level of angst and introspection was not worthy of this show.  To celebrate 20 years since the debut of MSCL I want to talk about why it meant so much to me when I first saw it. Please read the following in the style of an Angela Chase voiceover.

Being ignored for no particular reason is one of those awful teenage rite of passage that every girl in my class went through, it just so happened that mine occurred during the summer break. So I faced 6 weeks of not a whole lot going on. This was the summer of 1997, I was 14 years old and I have to admit that maybe I was to blame for some of this as I had recently changed friendship groups. At first there was mass acceptance and then like that I lost whatever factor had made them embrace me into their way cooler circle. My journal (which I no longer have, something I regret) entries at this time swayed between strained optimism where I pretended that everything was fine to more desperate pleas of insecurity.

Miserable real life friendship situation not withstanding something amazing did happen over this summer as I fell in love and felt completely understood by one person – enter Angela Chase and My So-Called Life. I didn’t see this show when it first aired in the UK the previous year; however it was part of the daytime TV schedule throughout this summer alongside Eerie, Indiana, The Secret World of Alex Mack and Sister, Sister. Those extreme feelings of teendom are hard to capture as everything means so much and nothing all at once; there’s the rush of discovery and then disillusionment. For me MSCL had all of the former and none of the latter.

I have another confession to make about this transitional period and that’s on the subject of best friends. The whole BFFs situation is full of so many fraught memories; will I ever have one? Is this person as those three capital letters scream going to be part of my life forever? Why do you have to label one person as ‘best?’ I actually still have some of these feelings today about this notion and the term “best friend” feels so loaded with preconceived ideas that it makes me dizzy. Clearly at this point I didn’t have a best friend, or really any friends (actually I had one very dear friend who went to another school, but during this summer she grew up all of a sudden and started drinking, smoking and dating and I was a year away from any of these things) and so fictional characters whether in books or on screen became the next best thing.

The ache you feel at 14 is hard to articulate, god knows I tried spilling my emotions in a way I thought you had to at this age. Journal writing really wasn’t my forte and it made me feel uncomfortable; half the time I was lying to myself both in my mind and on those journal pages. Step up Angela Chase and from her first introspective voiceover I knew I had found a heroine for a life; someone that understood who I was and what I was going through and it was a voice coming from my television.

Like Angela, at this point in my life I had never kissed a boy and it suddenly felt kind of ok that I hadn’t; I was no longer the biggest loser in the room. Everything about that period in your life is trying to do things so fast and worrying that you’ll be the last to experience all of these moments, as if being last is the worst thing in the world (hyperbole is the key tool to an adolescent mind). Suddenly there was this cool, pretty – but not in a typical popular girl Hollywood way, remember she does the best quiver cry face – and lost girl who was saying everything I was feeling. It’s also the first time I think I was honest in my journal as I overly emoted about how much I loved this show and this character. Jordan Catalano was an object of affection as he really does lean incredibly well, however it was Angela who had my heart.

Finding salvation in fiction lets us experience our own pain and fears through the gaze of someone else; as everything is heightened emotionally during adolescence the desire to be understood and find a connection can often take place in a world that has been created by another. It’s one reason why YA fiction thrives and can cause such strong visceral reactions. For some it is rooted in the supernatural, for me it was that girl in plaid with dyed red hair.

I also have to wonder how much this experience has affected the focus of my writing; The X-Files and E.R. were the first two shows that revealed just how much television can be, but My So-Called Life exposed something I had never felt before. So not only was my summer of misery saved by a TV show, my personal investment and interest in this format was probably enhanced by this experience.

More heartbreak followed when I found out that only 18 episodes of this show had been made and it was rather fitting that this intense love affair with this world and characters lasted for just one summer. Unlike most summer flings I managed to last the distance with this one and when I watched it again in the mid-2000s (and then for This Was TV) I found that my feelings were still strong and the connection is still very much alive.

Going back to school after the break was over wasn’t so terrible as it was someone else’s turn to get the silent treatment and soon we grew up beyond this petty and inexplicable tradition. The next summer was not one of abject loneliness and I had the kind of vacation that I previously thought existed only in fiction; one where you hang out, have fun and don’t feel bad about yourself. We had a time. Looking back I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t change a thing from the summer of ’97 as it really sucks to have such a low opinion of yourself. Instead I will say that I am incredibly grateful that Winnie Holzman created a show that made me feel like I wasn’t alone in huge mess of adolescent misery and that is the power of a well crafted story.

Last month we discussed the season 4 promo of Homeland noting that motherhood could be a central theme; at the time I wasn’t sure if I was reading too much into the framed baby shot and it turns out that maybe I wasn’t overreaching as this aspect is mentioned in Claire Danes’ cover story for the October issue of UK Harper’s Bazaar. Danes chats about the big Homeland shift, how she feels about the often referenced ‘cry face,’ real life motherhood and how her dance training informs her acting. Plus she’s rather candid about her relationship with husband Hugh Dancy.

The cover shot is pretty spectacular opting for the black and white face shot – no it’s not revolutionary, but it’s still a striking photograph – and this is an occasion where I’d like to see less cover text. The text does at least frame the shot and the use of pink and yellow enhances this. Focusing on “Life After Brody” is one aspect of the interview and it’s only natural that Danes is feeling his loss this season. She mentions how it’s “going to be hard and sad. I loved working with him and he carried half the weight of the show. So I’m a little bit daunted about what that means for me.” This might be the case on the acting side, but for me as a viewer in the third season Mandy Patinkin is the natural co-lead, particularly as Brody didn’t show up until halfway through. For too long Homeland was bogged down with what the producers believed to be a Romeo and Juliet story and one that had lost any appeal by the somewhat maligned third season (*sidenote* I am a self-confessed Carrie/Quinn shipper).

Danes talks about comparisons she can draw between herself and Carrie including their shared obsessiveness, restlessness and how they are both rather earnest, however Danes is goofy whereas Carrie is far from this. Recent motherhood is something Danes and Carrie share; Homeland producer Meredith Stiehm mentions how becoming a parent and the adjustment that comes with this was something they wanted to explore “We thought Carrie would certainly struggle with it.” In the Homeland preview discussion I pointed out that juggling work and babies isn’t always the most interesting angle, with Carrie I think it could provide a very different take and response to this subject.

Talking about the ‘cry face’ phenomenon is something Claire Danes is clearly not all that comfortable with and as I have discussed this aspect of her performance (including in the recent Homeland chat) let’s take a look at the full quote:

“I’m surprised it’s so surprising. I have my guy, who thinks I’m pretty enough in our life together, so I don’t need to be seducing the audience that way. I think it’s also just my style, what I like in creative work, what I’ve always been attracted to, even as a little girl. I danced as a kid, that’s how I arrived at acting, and I took a class with a woman called Ellen Robbins. It was modern dance, so already a little raw. And I always had an appreciation for the macabre. We would do these improvisations and I remember one time, I was maybe 11 or 12, I was into grotesque movement, and I decided to do a dance where I was just doing a diagonal across stage, doing these weird movements and I landed and I just spat on the floor, like totally pretentious performance art. But it was great. I liked the ugly even as a kid, and I think that has stayed with me now.”

I love that she brings it back to dance – I’ve seen Keri Russell talk about dance in a similar manner – and that she lets it all go screen. As I pointed out during this My So-Called Life chat* after Danes talked ‘cry face’ in an Elle interview for me pointing it out is nothing but praise and to reiterate “your chin quiver makes my chin quiver.”

*It’s worth noting that the episode in question “Betrayal” topped Vulture’s recent 100 Best Episodes of the 1994-1995 TV Season and this list is full of many, many TV gems that helped shape the way I watch TV. 

Digging this gorgeous Zac Posen gown and the ‘who me?’ pose.

Now for something more adorable with these Hugh Dancy related comments “I’m genuinely in love with him. And I like hard things. You know, marriage is hard, but I’m up for it. I don’t do anything casually so dating is not for me. I would be marrying everyone I was with. When I met Hugh I was single for the first time and really looking forward to it, kind of bragging, “I’m going to rock this.” Then I met Hugh… But I like getting into [a relationship]. It’s more fun [than being single]. There’s so much opportunity if you are interested in each other to go further. It’s kind of a beautiful exercise.”

Returning to the subject of dance and this is one area where she might excel a bit too much “I’m competitive, yeah. I might be a better dancer. We dance together a lot. But when I get too drunk I get very bossy. It’s one of my least attractive qualities. My friend had a birthday party on a boat and without irony I was instructing my friends to dance with the waves. Arghhh!”

For more from this interview and photo shoot head over to Harper’s Bazaar. The October issue is on newsstands (physical and digital) now.

The ’90s inspired fashion cycle continues and while the crop top explosion is something I’m enjoying just as much now as I did back then (and there continued to be a lot of stomach slivers on the Spring 2015 NYFW runway); the happiness I get from relating something back to My So-Called Life far outweighs my fear of showing my midriff. And you know Rayanne Graff could rock a bralette like no other, particularly when layered with multiple shirts and jackets.

Scrolling through endless shots and what leaps out? That’s right a dress from the Creatures of the Wind collection that is a combination of every Angela Chase plaid shirt/dress ever worn with a black plunging vest underneath.

Here is some Angela in plaid examples just in case you don’t spot the connection:

The ‘trying not to be obvious while looking at Jordan Catalano’ plaid.

The ‘squeezing a zit even though you know it’s a bad idea’ plaid.

The ‘hanging with your parents and wearing over dungarees’ plaid.

The ‘watching a sex manual VHS with your former BFF’ plaid.

The ‘talking to Jordan Catalano all cool and casual like’ plaid.

The ‘what the hell is Rayanne wearing?’ plaid.

The ‘my little sister doing a spot on impression of me’ plaid.

The ‘off the shoulder what is my former BFF talking to my current BFF about?’ plaid.

The ‘can you spot me while I’m hiding out in a fort made of plaid’ plaid.

And finally…

The ‘Angela Chase tribute outfit as worn by Lake Bell in the excellent In a World…‘ plaid.

The start of the month brings magazines galore with cover shoots and editorials making the “Out of the Box” list alongside talk show and red carpet appearances.

Natalie Dormer covers Flare and I’m pretty excited to see what she will bring style wise to the Mockingjay press tour that is about to dominate red carpet coverage. For now Dormer is still showing off the remnants of her Hunger Games dramatic hair style and wearing a daring knockout dress that I would love to see come premiere time.

In the interview Dormer offers up some opinion on the different types of roles there are and it is refreshing to see a lack of sugar-coating “We don’t accept women as antiheroes the way we do the men. Unless there’s a family get-out clause. We accept women being complete cunts if they’re doing it for a child.” She also loves playing Moriarty on Elementary and she is very happy with her Game of Thrones character as “The beautiful thing about Margaery is that even though she keeps getting married, she’s not defined by a love interest. And Cressida is defined by her profession and her political beliefs. Since Anne Boleyn, I haven’t played a woman who’s defined by romantic love.”

Time Out New York dedicates this week’s issue to comedy with a focus on the “funny women taking over NYC.” This includes Jessica Williams, SNL’s Sasheer Zamata, new Broad City writer Kara Klenk plus Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer. There’s the Catch-22 aspect of why do we have to do a gender specific comedy issue, but at the same time having a cover like this that doesn’t ask “Are Women Funny?” is an improvement.

Back to editorial and Claire Danes covers the December issues of UK Glamour and wears this fantastic Dolce & Gabbana squirrel skirt and lace top. In the interview she talks ’90s fashion and her explanation bears an echo of an Angela Chase voiceover “I wore a lot of overalls. Baggy clothes were very convenient for my generation. Our bodies were undergoing a terrifying metamorphosis, so it was a relief to put a bag over it all, hide in a sea of clothes.”

The Knick’s Eve Hewson attended the Dior hosted Guggenheim International Gala Pre-Party on Wednesday in (and this is not surprising) Dior. Not only does this dress earn the pocket points, it is also a fun play on tweed. I often have black tights dress quandaries (when it hits colder temps I tend to wear them with certain dresses and just say fuck it) and here they don’t detract from the look so maybe I will be less black tights nervy in the future.

Lucy Hale is stunning in red at the CMA Awards and this Romona Keveza frock might be a style best for the Pretty Little Liars star.

It is worth repeating that I am beyond excited for the return of The Comeback and at the premiere Lisa Kudrow looks elegant in a Reem Acra dress. The Valerie hair behind her gives her volume that almost reaches Kacey Musgraves CMA Awards heights.

Rounding things off this week with a spin on menswear and Felicity Jones appeared on The Tonight Show this week in a beautiful Dior suit and skinny tie.

Welcome to TV Ate My Wardrobe’s “Best of 2014″ costuming series and rather than doing a straightforward countdown we’re going to do a variety of posts that look at which costumes and shows have made a huge impact this year. From items that we want in our own wardrobe to pieces that got everyone talking, we want to look at this year’s TV through the prism of costume.

So far the end of year “Best of” discussions have covered a lot of individual shows such as The Americans, Hannibal and The Good Wife, along with certain trends such as leather jackets and now comes the quick-fire roundup of TV Ate My Wardrobe’s best of everything else such as accessories, special occasion gowns and even modes of transport. It is a chance to address some our favorite shows and looks of 2014.

Best Statement Necklace Wearer

There can only be one winner of this and The Good Wife’s Diane Lockhart wears chain necklaces like no other. She also has a very fine collection of antique broaches/pins and a stare that can stop you dead in your tracks.

Best Fancy Hat 

Freddie Lounds take on court attire was even better than Hannibal checking out his own butt as he got ready for Will’s trial. This hat reads more day at the races or wedding and isn’t really court appropriate unless she is starring in a remake of His Girl Friday.

Best Casual Hat 

I never thought I would pick a trucker hat to appear on a ‘best of’ but Orphan Black managed to turn one into a symbol of love as Helena shared her first dance and smooch with the adorable Jesse. This love token has been dropped and all she is left with is a beanie to stuff her hair into.

Best Sunglasses

I can’t believe this is the first time I am talking about You’re the Worst on TV Ate My Wardrobe and Gretchen’s face in the shot above sums up how ridiculous that is. Plus her Ray-Ban Opal Yellow Wayfarers are super awesome and perfect for all kinds of hungover sunny days.

Best Sweaters

Another slam dunk as Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Gina has excellent sweater game week in, week out including an excellent double wolfie turtleneck from the most recent episode. There might have been more competition if Robyn hadn’t mysteriously become a character who exists in the off screen wilderness on The Good Wife.

Best Tights

Nobody does patterned tights quite like Selfie’s Eliza and now is also a good time to sadly bid adieu to yet another comedy show that was the perfect mix of funny, sweet and sharp. So long Eliza and Henry; you deserve more than this.

Best Bathrobes

Going from the sanitized hospital location with the stiff blue robes to something more decadent with quality hotel bathrobes and in Masters of Sex’s best episode this season “Fight” Bill and Virginia spent a rather sizable portion laying their souls bare while wearing this garment.

Best Late Night Drinking

Okay so this one isn’t about what a character is wearing, instead it is the manner in which this scene in the Homeland finale showcased the best of what has been a mostly very enjoyable season leaving behind the mess of almost all things Brody. There’s an initial awkwardness from Lockhart that turns into a moment of warmth thanks to a shared horrific experience and drinking whiskey from paper cups.

Best Mode of Transport Part 1

Lucy’s beautiful blue bike wouldn’t look out of place now as retro bicycles are on trend and it also symbolizes freedom for both Lucy – she doesn’t have to rely on a man for transport – and Thack as he experiences a non-drug induced pleasure when he takes it for a spin on The Knick.

Best Mode of Transport Part 2

The Comeback has been a pleasure to experience even when watching through fingers or with constant Home Alone face and the season finale is just as exceptional. Valerie Cherish is my everything especially when she has to avoid a shit covered front yard and gets carried in her Emmy gown by a shirtless Brad Goreski and her publicist Billy.

Best Hoodie to Hide in

There is a lot to love about the costuming on Broad City and one of Abbi’s most practical pieces is this drawstring hoodie (as with April Ludgate’s mustard hoodie I am still on the hunt for it) which doubles as a Bevers blocker.

Best Dress for Time Travel

Confession – I still need to watch beyond episode 3 of Outlander and it is one of those shows that I just fell behind on. Claire’s 1940s simple white keyhole dress didn’t seem totally out of place for the 18th century time period she found herself in during the pilot and this allowed her to blend in as best she could without betraying the original post-World War II setting. I really need to catch up on this, don’t I?

Best Wedding Gown

Another wedding didn’t go so well (or it actually worked out better for the bride) on Game of Thrones, but that can’t take away from the exquisite beauty and detail of Margaery’s gown. The rose embellished train is stunning.

Best Business Wear 

On The Honourable Woman Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Nessa Stein has a wardrobe that contains endless billowy silk blouses and everything is super chic and well tailored. Pieces that stand out include the Roland Mouret leopard jacquard dress from the first episode and pretty much every item acts as some kind of armor between Nessa and the messiness of the world she is part of. Yep even those silk blouses represent both supreme business wear and a way to protect herself.

Best Pattern Clashing 

Mindy wins this one hands down.

Rounding out the TV Ate My Wardrobe 2015 Golden Globe coverage with a smorgasbord of style highs with some daring approaches and a whole array of classic looks. Plus a couple of family portraits.

No I did not think a crop top would pop up on this list, but thanks to Lorde in an incredible Narciso Rodriguez ensemble this is a thing that has happened. I want this jacket in my life.

This might be down to Danes style blindness but I love this Valentino frock (which Claire Danes referred to as a work of art on E!), well aside from the sheer panel. Ace earrings too.

While Jessica Chastain’s Atelier Versace gown is giving me all the Amy Adams American Hustle feelings and thereby it isn’t setting the world on fire, Chastain still looks super sexy and incredible.

Gina Rodriguez follows in the Golden Globe first season award winning group for sometimes teen show affairs – which includes Claire Danes, Keri Russell and Jennifer Garner – and she played it safe in black Badgley Mischka. She looks flawless and I can even see beyond the fringed sheer skirt. As I lamented yesterday I still need to watch Jane the Virgin and her speech was one of the many misty eye inducing moments.

Allison Tolman opted for a similar shape gown to the one she wore at the Emmys and why not when it looks this good. Great accessory choices and overall styling.

Eddie Redmayne did not disappoint with his choice of Gucci tuxedo and there’s not a lot of guys who could work the velvet look this well. Love the olive color and cut of Hannah Bagshawe’s frock. Yes the lean is happening.

Happy sibling time and the Gyllenhaal’s are a delight. Jake gets beard points and while I think Maggie’s dress would be better in a bolder color (I thought blue whereas Whitney McIntosh suggested green) the Miu Miu frock is still lovely. Maggie Gyllenhaal winning for The Honourable Woman was another excellent speech moment:

“I’ve noticed a lot of people talking about the wealth of roles for powerful women in television lately, and when I look around the room at the women who are in here and I think about the performances that I’ve watched this year, what I see actually are women who are sometimes powerful and sometimes not. Sometimes sexy, sometimes not. Sometimes honorable, sometimes not. And what I think is new is the wealth of roles for actual women in television and in film.”

A celebratory portrait of the Boyhood family and I am all over Lorelei Linklater’s pink dip dyed hair and this is another sheer moment that in a surprise twist is working for me.

Going to end with two of the ladies of the night and the biggest swoon moment came from Tina Fey’s lady tux of amazing. This is hosting attire perfection. Another beautiful blue gown for Amy Poehler.

While it is still up on YouTube here is their searing, hilarious and incredible opening monologue:

For more Golden Globes red carpet coverage head here, here and here.

The SAG Awards is a slightly more relaxed affair; it is still fancy frock aplenty but you can tell that some are holding back for the Oscars. Well not everyone as the TV nominees are done until the Emmys and not every SAG nominee is going to the Oscars. There was plenty of color on the red carpet continuing the Golden Globes trend and here is Part 1 of TV Ate My Wardrobes favorite SAG looks.

When Lupita Nyong’o arrived in this stunning Elie Saab gown she pretty much shut the whole thing down and this is by far the crowning moment of the red carpet. The color, the stripes, makeup and hair are all incredible; Lupita remains the style queen even when she isn’t nominated. I cannot wait for the Star Wars press tour at the end of this year.

Red hair and emerald is always a winning combination and Julianne Moore has gone for another Givenchy Couture beauty with this beaded delight.

Deep purple really suits Keira Knightley as does this somewhat boho Erdem dress.

Opinion was split regarding Julianna Margulies’ cobalt-blue Giambattista Valli super draped skirt and I am very much on the love it side. It didn’t photograph well from certain angles, but I adore the color and how dramatic it looks.

Jennifer Aniston has relaxed a lot since she didn’t get an Oscar nomination – the hair is down, the cleave is on show – and this vintage John Galliano goes full plunge while avoiding her usual black gown favoring. Justin scrubs up rather well too.

Here’s another dress that had a mixed reception and it might be my well documented Claire Danes blindness as I think she is totally working this khaki green Marc Jacobs dress; barnacle side beading and all.

The blue piping/belting combined with the bold print make this a style win for Rashida Jones in Emanuel Ungaro.

Pockets! And an amazing printed skirt from Lorraine Toussaint.

Speaking of pockets; Maisie Williams is a lady after my own heart as she tweeted “DRESS POCKETS ARE IMPORTANT & DONT LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE” (all caps are her own but I support the emphasis). This super cute red dress does have pockets and Williams’ on screen sibling Sophie Turner has a fantastic pair of heart heels to go with her chic black gown.

This is beautiful from Danielle Brooks in a navy custom Christian Siriano working old Hollywood glamour with aplomb.

Off the shoulder blue frocks were on trend and here is another excellent take with Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Melissa Fumero in Maxime Simoens.

Rounding off the blues with Orange is the New Black’s Lauren Lapkus. Also passing the now patented Maisie Williams pocket test.

And speaking of Orange is the New Black - how great is this shot of the cast on stage taking home Ensemble in a Comedy Series?!

PaleyFest is in full swing and this week’s “Out of the Box” is dedicated to the style highs from the Scandal, The Good Wife, Broad City, Outlander, Homeland and Girls panels. The line between casual/fancy is blurred at these types of events and on the whole it is probably best to remember there will be a lot of sitting down photos after the obligatory red carpet posing. Red carpet is where our focus lies, but first a moment of panel facial expression joy.

This shot of Julianna Margulies and Christine Baranski is everything and I’m pretty sure their laughter could power buildings.

A very fun look from Kerry Washington in Mary Katrantzou, which is all textured goodness including a sequined bodice and delightful collar. The pop of yellow and a darker lip color really makes this outfit sing.

Another Scandal style high with Darby Stanchfield wearing a whole lot red in a 2nd Skin Co. super sparkly frock. This is an occasion where bold lip color is not needed as that would be a shade red too far.

Patterns ahoy from Lena Dunham in Tanya Taylor and Jenni Konner working metallic color explosion with a black sweater and looking fantastic in the process.

Relaxed cool from Abbi Jacobson at the Comedy Central panel in this not quite polka dot sleeveless shirt.

Looking a whole lot like the tuxedo inspired jumpsuit Maya Rudolph wore at the SNL 40th anniversary is Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe. A reminder to catch up with Outlander before it returns coupled with the desire to finally try a jumpsuit on at some point in the near future. 

Leaving Claire Danes in Proenza Schouler until last because I’m pretty sure this can be filed under “Danes Style Blindness” as the snakeskin strip of random is a whole lot of what? and yet I also think she has pulled it off. Like I said this is a case of “Danes Style Blindness” – the phenomenon to describe someone who you think looks amazing no matter what they are wearing.

Bonus “Out of the Box” this week with this magazine cover special.