No Country for Young Love - Part 1 of 3 - Nancy Drew and Friends

The Mystery of Who Killed Derek has taken precedence over the Secret of the Real Mom and the Case of What Alec and Ted Knew. So whil Alec is trying to convince the police that the missing Ethan is the real killer, Emma, Mads and Thayer are on the case to clear his name. Meanwhile, Ethan and Sutton are still hiding out at his dad's ranch. Rebecca is covering for Alec and Ted is being shifty about Rebecca - even his mostly clueless wife notices. Laurel is making music with and eyes at Jude Law and getting all Taylor Swift on Justin - even before the breakup he didn't see coming.

So, Mads is in the know and on the case with Nancy and Ned, I mean, Emma and Thayer.

Look, I'm full on board the Good 'Ship Emma + Ethan 4Eva, but those two trying to solve whodunnit together? Straight up adorbs.

I just wish they'd waited to give the news to Mads about the whole Emma/Sutton thing when she wasn't in her sweats.

I'm sure Mads didn't feel like being seen in public dressed like that. She probably would have preferred to be dressed to the nines to get that kind of news. I know I'd rather be in heels and a mini skirt when you drop the bombshell that my best friend totally hasn't been my best friend by her LONG LOST TWIN SISTER. That shit effs with your mind and you need a good outfit to deal.

When they hit up the police to try to convince puffy Nikolas Cassadine it wasn't his bro whodunnit (and for once, he's on board with that theory), I'm pretty sure Emma went to the Magic Closet for her most responsible looking outfit. She came out looking like Char, especially with the dramatic side sweep and giant curls.

And I'm pretty sure the First Lady style blouse was one left behind in the Magic Closet by Char.

She could have had fun with it, and was headed in that direction with the skinny jeans. But then she added a blazer.

Emma looks like she was just short a pencil skirt, some kitten heels and a husband running for Senate. You're young Emma, have some fun!

Meanwhile, Mads is all young and free in one of those leather jackets that are so cool, I just don't understand where the kids get them (because I certainly can't find one).

And while a cardigan isn't usually my first choice for the young dudes, I've got to give Thayer some serious props for making a tie and cardigan look super casual and fine.

Total collegiate hot. Or something.

Although, he loses points for actually showing up at a college looking boring, especially when he's with two adorable ladies.

The trouble is, when going for Frat Party Crashing Black Opps, both Thayer and Emma drop the ball (except for the over-the-knee suede boot. That's pretty hot). When it comes to covert opps and flirting, Mads it totes your girl. The military jacket? Hot.

Take it off to reveal a teeny green dress that only works on a girl shaped like a lollipop? Check.

She's like some kind of Secret Party Spy. Because she totally could have flirted the truth out of boring looking frat boy.

Instead, Emma and Thayer are all, "we just want to ask you a few questions."

Does that look like something the frat boy drug addict population is interested in? Sensible, black, with zero cleavage? Probably not. That's an outfit for a different kind of spy operation.

Becuase do these dudes look like they want to answer a few questions?

No. They do not. They barely look like they want to be at their own party. The only reason they are there is for drugs and flirting. Not talking about teenage drug dealers. But maybe growing up on the mean streets of Vegas is why Emma doesn't realize this. 

I'll forgive her since she totally busted out the Daytime Glamour look for lunch.

Honestly, I love that these two are such fashion opposites and total besties (who seem to be just fine without Char. Speaking of which, why is no one speaking about Char? Where did she go?). While Emma does the Daytime Glamour paired with a camel coloured wool cape, Mads is all, "let me just thow on a bad-ass leather jacket and a bag that doesn't match my shirt and still look better than most teenage girls in Scottsdale".

And the Daytime Glamour? Loves

I mean, it reminds me of my bridesmaid dresses and I normally wouldn't recommend a gold brocade for any event that doesn't involve cocktails and h'ors d'eourves, but when you have a closet that's on par with spotting a kitten riding a unicorn through a field of lollipops, well, wouldn't you throw on your gold brocade for lunch with a suspicious lady who is dating your friend's dad? Of course you would!

No Country for Young Love - Part 2 of 3 - The Runaways

Sutton and Ethan are still on the lam and this trip to the Rez has got to be hard on Sutton. Giving up her magical closet for Thayer's couch was one thing - at least she could still go shopping in LA. But on a remote ranch? With apparently one store? That's rough. But she's making a good go of it with the country chic.

That has to be the most stylish country store ever. It's a super cute plaid shirt and I dig the shearling vest. And like Ann said last week, Ethan's barn coat totally works seeing as there's a barn a few feet away.

It's weird to see her in something other than Daytime Glamour, but somehow she makes the plaid work for her.

But I'm not sure she's totally on board with chambray week.

Knowing Sutton, that plain jane denim on denim look is worn begrudgingly.  She's probably wondering how she can bedazzle the shit out of it and add a pair of five inch heels.

Aside from dreaming of sequins and a higher thread count, bitch is totally making the most of this getaway. Not only is she rocking the plaid, but she's also flirting like a superstar.

Then again, I can't really blame her.  Because Ethan on the run in a puffy vest and thermal? Super hot.

It's funny, when he's not in the country, I'd question that style. But put him on a ranch and I fully approve. Although, he could probably do better on the plaid front.

Still, even in spite of that lame-ish plaid, it's not like Sutton can help the flirting. Even if it does mean totally backstabbing your sister.

Seriously Ethan? Only moments before you were trying to tell Emma you loved her and then you succumed to some hair tosses from your evil ex?

Sutton, on the other hand, I see where she's coming from. I'm not nearly as morally  bankrupt as she is and I'd probably throw my own hypothetical twin under a bus for the gratuitous male shirtlessness we've all come to miss lately.

Let's take a moment to soak that sight in. We might not get another for a few weeks.

No Country for Young Love - Part 3 of 3 - Let's make some music

So while there's hiding from the law and some teens hot on the case of who killed Derek, everyone else is kind of living their lives like they have no idea anything is going on. Their obliviousness is probably how Sutton and Emma pulled off the switch for so long. Of course, while (almost) everyone is busy cheering on Laurel's budding music career, I'm sure it's no coincidence that Cordelia Annie Rebecca is the driving force behind it.

The blouse doesn't appear to be super flattering. Or maybe it's a dress. I don't know. I'm just happy to see her in a bold colour. I'm also blown away by her hair. The desert must do wonders for a girl's hair, because just about everyone has perfect hair.

I'm pretty sure she has nefarious, or at the very least, slightly devious reasons for befriending Kristen. But before she plays her hand and ruins Kristen's happy family, I hope she teaches her that grown ups don't need to look like Soccer Moms.

The blazer and white shirt are possibly the hippest thing Kristen has worn all season, but next to Rebecca in her bitchin' leather jacket? Well, she looks like she carpooled the entire band over in her mini-van and offered them juice boxes on the way.

Her other outfit of the episode also screamed, "I'm sorry! I can't help but make you look frumpy!"

I think she tried to jazz it up when she tried to confront Ted on his lies (she needs to push a little bit harder on that), but ended up looking like she had a mild case of disco fever.

 

Kristen needs to step it up and start to demand some respect if she's ever going to make our list of best dressed moms. Because I know they have decent shops in that city. Sutton can fill a closet from whatever stores are in town and Rebecca can dress like she's all class for a lunch with two meddling kids? Then so can you.

Seriously Kristen? Look how easy that is. A nice dress, some statement jewlery and hair so nice it defies physics.

I'd almost suggest taking lessons from your daughters, but Laurel lost me this week.

Is that a bedazzled snake print cardigan? Because Laurel, if it is, I'm seriously considering demoting you from your coveted spot of Best Dressed Teen at Arroyo. I'm only going to give you a pass because you're writing angry songs about boyfriends and I really do see you as the next adorable country crossover sensation. I know you want to be more Kelly Clarkson than Taylor Swift, but honey? You're all Swifty to me.

Especially with your pretty blonde hair and kind of adorbs lace top.

You're totally going to make a Jonas brother cry someday. For now, it's all about making poor Justin cry.

He really should have seen it coming though. I mean, you're in a band with Jude Law. And you dress cute for recording a demo tape, when only your mom and your manager, who is possibly shifty and going to ruin your family are the only people watching.

Also, Jude Law totally knows how to dress himself. Do you see how that shirt fits him? How he's going for the "I'm in a band, I don't care if you think I'm cool" look? Well compare that to Justin.

Everybody boring in Gap. Maybe he could add a blazer and join the drug dealing frat brothers.

That's not what I was thinking when I suggested a blazer. You could at least find a fitted white t-shirt to go with it. Had you done that, Laurel might have regretted making kissy faces at Jude Law and been hot for you instead (because fitted white t-shirts on well-built dude are kind of on par with kryptonite). Instead, you look schlubby and you got dumped over Chinese. And pretty soon you're going to be hearing her sing breakup songs about you on the radio.

Yeah, I know. I bet that's how the Jonas and the Taylor Lautner felt too.

Reservation For Two - part 1 of 2 - Farmhands and country music fans

See, this is why it's way easier to switch places with a twin who doesn't live in the same city as you. Miscommunications abound as Emma tries to figure out what, exactly, Sutton's been up to. First, she has to impersonate her twin in a police interrogation. Unfortch, she totally wasn't there when Derek and Ethan fought (TO THE DEATH!) and has to lie to the police. Alec's not buying it, though. He's distracted making out with Cordelia Annie Rebecca, so Emma's safe for now. Meanwhile back on the farm, Ethan takes Sutton to his father's ranch to hide out. Somewhere in the midst of all this dramz, Laurel makes a sparkly debut with her country band (and hooks up with Justin). And then Emma totally comes clean to Mads!!

So, Ethan takes Sutton to his father's ranch, and Sutton's like:

But Ethan's totally serious. Sutton's going from Magic Closet to hangin' with the Whitehorse menz in their natural habitat.

We've got Papa Whitehorse:

The source of Ethan's handsome face as well as his affinity for plaid. (PS, this guy is apparently also from the Twilight movies, so does this mean Ethan's a werewolf now too?)

And then Ethan, whose plaid outfits suddenly make sense when we realize he was raised on a farm. This sort of beige jacket doesn't make sense when you're hanging out in downtown Phoenix, but on Whitehorse Farm? Ethan's kinda working it:

Yeah, I'm looking at you, handsome.

Sutton makes the most of her new environs, first modelling an outfit that fits her well (but unfortunately belonged to Ethan's long-lost mother, so that got kinda awkward)

Still, we can see here that Ethan got the plaid-shirt gene from both of his parents, so he's really helpless to resist.

Ethan bleeds plaid, I think.

Sutton is nothing if not adaptable, and she quickly gets her farmgirl chic on. Love the plaid shirt, cute jeans, nice jacket... I can just picture her picking out the best pieces from the Only Store On The Rez.

Also? The braids are cute, but possibly overkill. I think she's aiming for carefree farmgirl, but she's landed somewhere around Pippi Longstocking.

And I guess she also got the memo about Chambray Week...

... or the wardrobe department got a killer deal at Chambray World or something. Anyway, she's working the farmgirl look and it's a nice change from daytime sequins and blazers.

Speaking of, Laurel gets to rock both this week! Actually, Laurel owned this episode, fashion-wise.

First, to answer the question "What to wear when your sister's being interrogated about the murder of her BFF's boyfriend" Laurel answers: French schoolgirl from the 60s!

Love EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS! I was like the screencap paparazzi for this whole scene. OMG yellow fitted cardigan! (SNAP) Black neckerchief! (SNAP) Bow barrette in her hair! (SNAP SNAP!)

Check out her oh-so-French joie de vivre later, sans sweater.

Love the swingy skirt, LOVE the feminine blouse, love the loose curls... this is possibly my fave Laurel outfit EVER. And she wore it to the police station! I LOVE HER.

Sadly, there isn't anywhere to go from a fashion high like this except down... and in Lauren's case, it's down to capri-length shiny cargo pants with wedges, a white blazer, and lingerie-inspired cami:

Those pants are NO. Combined with the shoes, it turns into OH HELL, NO.

At least her top half is cute:

... but for school? Really?

Then again, this show exists in a world where boys can proclaim REVENGE (!!!) on your family one week, and everything's peachy the next week. Also, where 16-year-old boys dress like flight attendants:

Anyway, for Lauren's big show (and did everybody else breathe a sigh of relief when they saw her band was more Taylor Swift and less Taylor Momsen? I was worried another adorbs blond younger sibling was going off the rails, but I should know better than to doubt Laurel.)

So sparkley!

This dress was to die for. The striped sequins were in a kind of wave pattern and it worked perfectly for her on-stage performance. I could totally see Taylor Swift rocking this look.

And then, channeling her 60s French Chanteuse aesthetic from a few weeks ago, apres-gig Laurel sported the most AMAZEBALLS TRENCH EVER EVER EVER.

See, from the front it's like, "So what? I'm just a classy grey trench. No big deal."

And then from the back?

RUFFLES! RUFFLES! SO MANY RUFFLES!

Want this coat. Need this coat. I could almost see Kate Middleton wearing something like this.

How is Laurel, the youngest person on this show, also the best-dressed week after week? She even puts a girlie twist on her casualwear:

Those are ruffles on her shoulders, you guys. The necklace is simple but casual enough to go with the outfit (but we already knew Laurel's the accessories queen).

Can I just say that Justin is nowhere near good enough for this girl.

Reservation For Two - Part 2 of 2 - WTF OMG!

You know how the whole show started with Sutton seeking out her birth mother? I think, if her mother wasn't such a tragic fashion fail, Sutton might not have had to seek out a better role model.

Exhibit A: in the police station

That jacket doesn't even fit her properly. I know you had to rush down to bail your daughter out or whatever, but Laurel took the time to pull together a proper outfit.

Exhibit B:

Yeah, anybody's a better fashion role model than this lady.

Take, for instance, Possibly Evil Rebecca. This is how she looks the morning after:

Yeah, that's right. Her dressing gown is more stylish than Sutton's adoptive mother's ENTIRE WARDROBE. Also? I love her evil/crazy ways. Alec thinks he's playing her, but he's totally getting himself played.

Speaking of Alec, he couldn't be bothered to a) wear black or b) tighten his tie for his daughter's BFF's BF's funeral?

Seriously, it takes three seconds to tighten your tie. Get it together, criminal mastermind.

Thayer, however, put together a kind of fun look this week. While I'm generally anti-vest, I can't hate on this layered look:

Somehow, he's escaping Mr Schue Vest Fug, and I think it's because of the careful styling. The plaid shirt is untucked, the vest is loose-fitting, and the overall look is preppy-casual, rather than nerdy-teacher.

Meanwhile, his sister Mads had some cool rocker style happening this week. Her hair also gained about 50 pounds of volume (making me concerned for her wee little lollipop body - how can it hold up all that hair, gorgeous as it is??)

Like, that is a lot of hair. Gorgeous, and about 10 times as much as she had last week. Is she taking horse vitamins? Or does gorgeous, shiny hair just happen like magic to anybody appearing on an ABC Family show? And if so, how can I get a role?

Mads looks equally cute with her hair pulled back in this kinda normal teen look. I mean, yeah, the shirt has hook-and-eye closures that makes it look like a backwards corset, but she's wearing jeans and a killer leather jacket. Is this the same girl who used to wear cocktail dresses to class?

It's also adorbs how she and her BF match in their black jackets. That's a good sign... right? What am I saying, on this show, all of the boyfriends wind up having some sort of Terrible Secret. It's only a matter of time before we find out what Not-Rob-Pattinson's been hiding (ooh! Is he out to get werewolf Ethan and the rest of his werewolf pack?)

Yeah, Not-Edward-Cullen's got his eye on you, Not-Taylor-Lautner.

Emma wasn't having a very great time this week, what with having to impersonate Sutton without being able to find out what Sutton had been up to. For instance, did Sutton put this duct tape on these shoes? Or did they look that way when she took them out of the Magic Closet?

Or did the heel snap off and she had to quickly fix it last week and I forgot?

I really liked her purple vintage-y lace dress she wore to school the next day (yet another example of how the dress code at their school seems to be Daytime Glamour)

Here's a better look at the bodice:

This was the week of nice outerwear, from Sutton's corduroy jacket to Laurel's ruffled dreamcoat to this gorgeous wool peacoat:

I like the added zipper detail. That makes it look more modern and edgy - more like something you could pull out of Sutton's Magic Closet.

We didn't get a very long look at her "supportive sister" outfit for Laurel's gig, but from what we got to see, it was sunny and pretty and included her usual blazer:

But then!! Mads had enough of Emma/Sutton's weird behaviour and BFF-broke-up with her. Emma went after her to try and explain, and Mads was like:

"Seriously, what can you possibly say to me that would make me not hate you?"

And Emma was like:

And Mads was like,

And... SCENE!

Seriously, we have to wait another week to find out what's going to happen next? I mean, Mads will probably assume it's another one of Sutton's lying games, but it will change everything if Emma's able to convince her she's telling the truth. Can't wait!