The Sun Also Rises - Part 2 of 2 - Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves

Now that I think about it, my title may not be the best representation of the what happens with the ladies in this episode. Although, when you look back, they are the ones taking care of business. As usual.

Time to add one more body to growing pile of dead characters. Later, Jules! At least you’re dying while wearing a killer denim jacket. P.S. - your hair has never looked better. Lazers!

I included this photo because they are standing in my dream apartment. Exposed brick, butcher block counter tops and Barbra Walters-esque soft lighting. Oh, by the way, this isn’t Elena - it’s Katherine. How do I know? The cleavage.

Greta also made her departure in this episode which is too bad because as far as evil witches go, she was totally hot. Maybe it’s the attitude or maybe it was the limitless supply of power but girl was working her role as Klaus’ witch for hire.

 

Come on! When did we ever catch Bonnie in an outfit like that? The leather, the earrings, the beads...my god the earrings. Why does television always kill my favourite characters?!?

 
Remember the sad faces I threw out earlier? It’s over this lady: Aunt Jenna. She looks so demure and sad but you probably would too if you were made a vampire against your will.

Funny how as soon as she was made a vampire she adopted their uniform of a fitted jacket, understated tee and tight, dark pants. At least she looks good.

There she is. Remember this face as a lesson when confronted by the possibility of becoming a legal guardian for your niece whose life has been plagued by death and sorrow. This will be your face when you’re on the brink of death. Wow that’s depressing...who remembers the Royal Wedding!??!

 

Switching gears to the more frilly of the ladies, it’s time for Caroline! First off, I love this coat and its ruffles at the back. Chic in the face of certain death; that’s probably a requirement of Mystic Falls residents. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve found an attractive, wounded werewolf at my front door.

Caroline’s coat in full view is much more impressive. What’s ever more impressive than that is how she kept a cream coloured coat stain free after running through the woods and fending off werewolf attacks.

What were her BFFs up to while she was tending to Tyler’s wounds? Nothing serious, just trying to find a spell that would save Elena from dying (again) and attempting to kill the first vampire in existence. Apparently, working under a deadline makes Bonnie shed her usual layers.

So what does Bonnie do once she’s figured out some kind of plan? She goes all Halle Berry in the X-Men films and lays down the business for Klaus and Greta. Don’t get me wrong, I think Bonnie’s blazer is great but it’s just not as cool as Greta’s leather jacket.

But where is Elena in all of this you ask? Trapped in a ring of fire; I don’t imagine this is what Mr. Cash envisioned when he wrote the song. Nothing particularly stands out with Elena’s wardrobe, as with mostly everyone else, because it’s all utilitarian in this episode. You can hardly wear anything fashion forward when battling Klaus but at least everyone looks presentable.

I can’t imagine why there are vampire obsessed people in the world. There’s nothing sexual about this at all. NOTHING.

As I said earlier, guess who miraculously survives death? Here’s another hint: she’s wearing a purple top and is being watched over by a Salvatore brother.

Jeremy was looking pretty dapper in his funeral attire but Elena is drop dead gorgeous in this photo. Too soon? Even though she looks like she was shrink wrapped into this dress it’s totally working for her.

So what was my favourite choice for the ladies of Mystic Falls? All of their black dresses! Again, it’s sad that it took some serious deaths to get them all dressed up and fancified but I can’t help myself. Neither can Bonnie it looks like and she was so close to leaving billowy fabrics behind.

Oh my god there is only one episode left! Also, this episdoe and the last are titled after two iconic American novels by Hemingway and Faulkner respectively. What does that have to do with fashion? Nothing but who says you can't have fun and learn. Until next time friends!

Klaus, Part 2 of 2 - Young Vamps & Loves

When Jen told all the editors she wanted to expand the site to feature other shows, I suggested Vampire Diaries. In my head, it was a great idea - there are so many leather jackets, so many Somersmoulders, so much snark potential! The only problem is, once I started watching a show solely for the clothes I started to realize that apparently, all vampires ever wear are plain dark t-shirts or button downs with dark jeans.

To venture out into the town, Damon goes with a collared black leather jacket - a slight variation on his standard black leather motorcycle jacket.

Don't get me wrong, black leather is a good look for the Somerhalder. I'm just saying, after 100+ years, wouldn't you want to switch it up occasionally? Maybe throw in a royal blue or a dark maroon?

Or not.

Meanwhile, Stefan has noticed the striking lack of mancandy in the past couple episodes. To rectify this issue, he's decided to hunt for Elijah in his undershirt. As we all know, an undershirt and a bloodbag dipped in white oak ash is the best way to lure out a missing original.

Stefan, doing his very best Edward Cullen impression. Dead-eyed and brooding, but with impressively gelled hair.

Elena, whose wardrobe is normally full of cute tops, is kind of looking blah this week. The dark blue is nice, but it doesn't really do anything for her. I like the cream leather jacket - pretty much the same as her black one, only, y'know, cream - but it would have worked better with one of the red tops she favors.

And can we talk for a second about her hair this episode? Normally I'm obsessed with it, but it's looking a little flat and lifeless this week. On the whole, Elena's looking a little worse for wear. I can't imagine why. It's not as if there's a werewolf/vampire hybrid intent on killing her so he can take over the world or anything.

Speaking of looking worse for wear, Jenna returns this week. She is, of course, indignant that the orphaned teenagers she's supposed to be watching but instead abandoned aren't where she last left them. Elena's finally remembered that Alaric and Jenna are an item, so she leaves a frantic voicemail for Jenna warning her to stay away from him.

Jenna has already made plans to grab coffee with Alaric. She has inexplicably decided that this batwing grey top is the best outfit for the occasion.

I mean, really. If you're confronting your boyfriend about failing to disclose his wife's not-completely-dead state, is this the outfit you'd pick? The whole point of such a meeting is to look ridicuously hot, not like you're cleaning the house on the weekends.

Okay, enough lackluster clothing. Andie has really become the unsung sartorial hero since she first appeared as Damon's snack pack. Look at our intrepid girl reporter's business chic. She's wearing the same neutrals as everone else, but at least it's all well-tailored and the dark grey top has a really lovely purple tinge to it.

She's had to be very creative with her scarves, but Andie's really made the scarf thing work. It looks less like she's covering a hickey and more like she's just really awesome at accessorizing. The python print scarf is pretty spectacular on its own, but when paired with her Girl Friday trench coat (ideal for breaking into apartments with her emotionally withholding boyfriend), Andie looks amazing. I want a spinoff starring Andie as a paranormal investigator.

Later, Damon sends her away so he can pout and sulk. Of course, being downright plucky, Andie decides that "Go away" means "Go to my room and strip down in a misguided attempt at conveying that someone cares about me, which is seriously the last thing I want at this moment in time."

So, not the best plan. But at least she does it in a very cute bra and panties set, the highlight being the very cute little bows on the straps.

Oh, Andie, I'll miss you when you inevitably end up as collateral damage.

Klaus's henchwitch Greta is making this recap purely in the hopes that Bonnie is reading it (yes, I realize she's fictional, but I can still hold out hope). See, Bonnie? It's possible to dress well and be a witch. Good fashion and witchcraft is not the kind of imbalance of power that Nature frowns upon.

I love her whole look - so very badass. I would love to see Bonnie adopt at least some of her rocker look now that she's back from the dead. Fewer flowy layers and Earth motherness, more stiletto heels and metal accents.

On second thought, it would give me one fewer thing to snark on, so ... keep up the good work there, Bonnie. Leave the hot witch gear to Greta.

Know Thy Enemy, Part 3 of 3 - All the Rest

After spending some time with Señor Tequila, Jenna decides she’s fulfilled her parent-figure duties and locks herself in her room to make Elena’s mother’s return all about her. At least this allows us to get a good look at her very cute equestrian-style boots.

The next day, she switches out the equestrian boots for a daytime appropriate pair of brown ones, the better for storming around the foyer.

She flounces around looking way more styled than one would expect from someone who just spent the night devastated over lies and betrayal. Then again, you can only pout in your room for so long before getting bored, so she probably decided to kill some time by flat-ironing her hair around 5 am. 

 Jeremy doesn’t do much beyond follow Bonnie and occasionally ask exposition-enabling questions, but he’s pretty cute while doing it. With Stefan masquerading as a high schooler but looking as if he’s stepped out of an Abercrombie store, it’s nice to be reminded of how an actual teenage boy dresses.

Speaking of teenage boys, the oldest looking mortal high schooler in all the land is still reeling after learning that Caroline is a vampire. I’m going to take this opportunity to let it be known that I hate those fur collared Sherpa jackets. I don’t know why, but they’ve always bugged me. It’s fitting then that Matt, who always inexplicably kind of bugs me, is wearing a Sherpa jacket.

My favorite part of watching a tv show is keeping an eye on the extras or the minor characters. After doing several takes of a scene in which they don’t have much to do besides react or open a door, they start giving their characters some major attitude.

Those poor cater-waiters. Not only are they traumatized by John’s lifeless body, they’re stuck wearing truly hideous uniforms. I didn’t think anything could clash with khaki, but these vests have proven me wrong.

I hope these actors thought of a backstory for their characters. I’ve decided that they are brother and sister, and they’re catering to support their vaudeville act.

Then you have Isobel’s chauffer, owner of a giant belt buckle and a whole lot of attitude. See, Damon? It’s possible to wear black but switch it up occasionally. I’m not suggesting you wear this outfit, but I just want you to see the possibilities.

This may be my character choice ever. As he opens the door for Isobel and Elena, the chauffer pops one leg out in this wonderfully impatient, quietly sassy stance.

There is an entire character in that belt buckle and bent leg – a character I want to get to know. Is he a vampire? Is he working for Klaus? Think about the possibilities of the two of them drinking wine and gossiping – you know they would come up with some awesome schemes. At the very least, can he be on Katherine’s makeover show, “Your Style Bites?”

Katherine is far too evil to be without a henchman, and this chauffer is definitely the man for the job.

The House Guest - Part 1 of 1 - All in a row

Episode Synopsis: Anyone else think Katherine and Elena could revive the "Sweet Valley High" series? While Damon does research, Stefan reaches out to The Martins, which can only end in disaster. Jenna and Caroline are having boy troubles, Bonnie is powerless, and Elena ... well she's always in peril so there is only one cure: Girls' Night! Everything goes swimmingly after Caroline hijacks the band for an excruciatingly saccharine rendition of "Eternal Flame" - until Daddy Warlock busts up the party with some head melting tricks. Why? Damon might have killed Luka. Oops! We see our last glimpse of The Martins as the vampires dole out some justice via the ole switcheroo, and just when you think everything is finally settled down, who shows up? Yeah, Elena's crazy mom, Isobel.

I love an episode that packs a punch and "The House Guest" definitely delivered. However, the real action was all about Katherine's wardrobe this week. Out of the gate she is rocking this olive green pea coat that is more "Fashionable Mystic Falls Citizen" and less "Eternal Manipulative Killing Machine". My only complaint? Where's the colour? Girl, seriously, you spent how long in an dark, dank and desolate tomb in a black cocktail dress and upon your release you run for - olive green? I'm just sayin', maybe you want to step up your game. Love the military inspired style by the way.

Just one more shot of the coat because I love it so much. Bonus: Katherine's angry "You have to trust me!" face. I would trust her with two things, and they are: having great hair, and making Mystic Falls a little more sexy.

 

"Caroliiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnneeeee..." - anyone else hear Outkast when they say her name? No? Just me? At any rate, Caroline always knows how to stand out from the crowd at school. She's also working a military inspired coat like Katherine, but wearing that eye-popping pink top with the polka dot-ish pattern takes your focus off the losers in the background. You're a star, Caroline! A STAR! You're the Elle Woods of vampires and we love you for it. Matt's canvas jacket is a nice change of pace as well. I realize that an outer covering like a jacket is de rigeur in Mystic Falls but this episode makes me feel like there is some sort of secret police enforcing this dress code. Do I smell a sub plot?

 

Case in point: yet another leather jacket from Stefan. Last week at the lake house he wore that amazing brown leather jacket that I would sell a kidney for. This week, Stefan is all subdued and stoic in this pale grey/green jacket. My boy's got style, what else can I say? Other than the aforementioned selling of vital organs on the black market.

Elena and Stefan have a never say die attitude when it comes to surviving attacks by The Originals and wearing leather jackets.

Elena: "Stefan, I'm going to talk in a hushed tone about saving the people I love while simultaneously playing heroine and damsel in distress. Oh, and I'm doing it in this leather jacket."

Stefan: "I am also going to wear one of my numerous leather jackets and be totally comforting while slyly suggesting that we shack up later."

 

This cap is to help make distinguishing Katherine from Elena easier. Katherine equals cleavage. Done.

 

Who doesn't want to trade places with Katherine right now. Am I right? While Damon is wearing his requisite black shirt with dark denim combination that only he could make fresh every week, I am kind of transfixed on his boots. They're so tough. And nice. And leathery. And there's a little buckle that says, "I take care of myself and could rip your heart out". I like Damon.

 

Girls' Night!!! Woo!!! Again we're back to the jacket coven - sans Elena. I love that the ladies debated on whether to get pizza or Chinese food because the answer is always both. This shot is great because I think it helps capture each character's style. Elena is practical, Caroline is cute and Bonnie is buried under more layers than necessary in the Gilberts' well heated home. Witches are so mysterious. Every week I think, "Maybe I'll see Bonnie's whole outfit" only to be blocked by either poor lighting or the layers. Her saving grace this week was her facial expressions as seen here. Laugh with me.

Aunt Jenna never fails to rock my world and she looks like she's ready to party tonight. Notice she is without a jacket. Not only is she oblivious to every supernatural event in Mystic Falls, Jenna has also escaped the need to don her outerwear inside the home. Bravo, Jenna! Nice bag, too. I know it's probably filled with mundane items but I like to imagine that she always carries around a little bottle of whiskey.

 

"Aunt Jenna! We can't stand in a club being smothered by the heat from the gyrating teenage bodies without wearing our jackets!"

"Well, if you say so..."

 

Don't worry, Jenna, Senor Tequila will make it all better (for the next two hours or so). In addition to Damon, I also like Jenna.

Girls' Night would not be complete without a sickeningly sweet public display of affection via song. Caroline decides on an obvious choice, "Eternal Flame" by The Bangles, to woo Matt and her grand gesture leads to them making out in the ladies' bathroom. Who says romance is dead?

Want to know how you can tell that the band is from out of town? They're males wearing colour. Though I have to say, red pants are never really a good idea. Kudos to the band.

 

I couldn't talk about this episode without a final shout out to The Martin boys. You had a good run, provided some integral plot points and generally stirred up a whole mess of trouble. Again, I could have used more colour but whatever, y'all are dead to me now.

It's the end of the night and I just can't help but feel sympathy for Jenna. Her man is a potential murderer, Girls' Night was ruined by an angry warlock and an arson attempt, her hair is mussed and everyone is keeping secrets from her. I'm not exactly sure how I can relate to all of those experiences but I have definitely ended a night or two face deep in some ice cream.

  

While the entire episode was riddled with action and fashion, it was the last two minutes of this episode that made me say quietly to myself, "Oh yeah!" and I would like to thank Katherine for that. Remember the cleavage distinction between her and Elena? Well, get an eyeful of this. The loose curls are making Katherine look incredibly sexy which is a nice change from the pin straight hair adorned with leaves and twigs from her days in the tomb. Damon, of course, is playing it cool but deep down you know he's all flustered for this 500 year old vixen.

But THIS is where things really got crazy. Loco, if I may. Hell, even Four Loko crazy. While Jenna and Elena are catching up over the ice cream, who comes knocking on the door? None other than "I want to be a vampire, wait, never mind" Isobel. Will Jenna finally become privy to the supernatural hijinks Mystic Falls is subject to? Will Alaric get back together with Jenna? Do you think there might be a scene where Elena and Isobel discuss what exactly makes their hair so straight and lustrous? I can't say for sure what will happen other than a swath of leather jackets being tossed our way.

Nice hoops, Isobel.

 

The Dinner Party: Part 1 of 3 - Guest List

Episode Synopsis: It turns out you can kill an Original. But you may as well be civilized about it and invite him over for a dinner party first. Bonnie's tricks fall flat with the other witches in town, so they take her powers away. And Elena and Stefan, still hanging out at the lake house, fight over who gets to be more right. With a bonus appearance by the old timey Stefan (who is more sexy) and Damon (who was infinitely less sexy over a hundred years ago). As always, Sark, I mean, Uncle/Daddy John, is up to no good...we're just not sure what that no good is yet.

What do you wear when you take a seemingly unkillable and rather dapper vampire out on tour of your town? Why an adorable short trench coat, that's what.

Of course, this is Jenna we're talking about. She's possibly the only person in all of Mystic Falls who has no idea that anything weird is going on.  I'm not kidding. She doesn't seem to think it's odd that so many drifters come through town and then disappear. Or that her boyfriend's ring matches that of her niece's boyfriend and his brother. Or that her niece's best friend just got one of those rings as well. It isn't odd to her that if she doesn't say, "please, come inside", new friends just keep standing on the porch. Hell, she isn't really that suspicious about the coincidence that her brother-in-law had a kid with her boyfriend's wife and that kid is now her niece. Or that her brother-in-law had a ring to match everyone elses.

Jenna, it's a good thing you're cute, because I'm starting to think you're not the shiniest coin in the fountain.  Also helps that you have cute tote bags to go with your cute trench.

You've got an LL Bean/J Crew chic that I dig. And your boyfriend seems to be working the same look as well.

Jenna's inablity to spot odd goings-on really shines when it comes to her supposed friend Andie the Journalist.  Maybe you don't notice that every man in your life has the same ring, but you sure as hell notice when your friend starts wearing scarves. Every. Single. Day.

Oh sure, the scarves are cute. And while I don't expect her to jump to the conclusion that she's hiding vampire bites, she should question the new look. Or at least tease her friend about getting hickeys. (what? You're supposed to stop doing that when you're a grown up?).

  

Actually, the hickey theory would be a normal thing to guess at. I mean, look at your friend's boyfriend! He's constantly rocking the bad boy leather jacket (although, that's not really a stretch for the town of Mystic Falls) and he wears well-fitting tees like no other dude in town.

I mean, come on ladies. If your friend was dating that guy and she started wearing scarves, you'd think the same thing too. You'd be wrong, but you'd think it. 

Like I said, at least Jenna's cute.

Otherwise she might have figured out about the deadly vampire doppleganger trapped in a local cave.

Katherine must be so stoked that Damon brought her some new threads. She's been in the same cocktail dress for weeks.

Hopefully Damon didn't borrow from Andie's closet. The vest and teeny white top are the classiest affair going. Even with the coordinating scarf. (Seriously, if I were Jenna, I would have said "enough with the scarves already!")

Not that Jenna was dressing any better. Her purple top could have been cute, except the sheer bits gave her an unfortunate figure skater look. And while I love me some figure skating, I never want anyone to think that Nancy Kerrigan is my fashion hero. (I would accept Johnny Weir as a fashion hero. A bold choice, but I'd accept that).

As for the fellows at our dinner party, well, lots of shirts with one button undone and in various shades of grey and black. If Damon's shirt didn't fit him so well, I'd complain.

I will complain a little bit about Ric's jacket. What? No leather? This isn't the jacket you wear to a dinner party...even if you were reluctant to attend. Find a dinner jacket of some kind.

Just look at your pal, the unkillable and probably really evil vampire! He wore a jacket to dinner and it totally dressed up his shirt. He also wore some colour.  Fellas of Mystic Falls: I promise you, colour won't hurt you.

Or, you know, you can just keep on keeping on with your leather jackets.

I do admire Uncle Sark's John's gentlemanlyness. Even when he shows up to make trouble, he brings a bottle of vino.

I know we're a fashion blog, but I need to take a moment to address the interior design issues I'm having. What is up with chez Salvatore?

I get that they're vampires, but why so many candleabras and heavy fabrics?  They need someone to come lighten that place up a little and make it bit more bachelor pad like. Some lighter curtains. Maybe an Eames chair or two. It wouldn't hurt. /non-sequiter

Back to the fashion. Alaric, you're a fool to give up your giant magical cocktail ring. That sucker is huge.

 

Besides, Uncle Sark John is missing his ring finger. What the hell is he supposed to do with a ring? It's a wee bit insensitive of you to give him an accessory he can't wear.

The boldest fashion statement of the night might go to Katherine, who, after weeks in a cave, goes with her birthday suit and impeccable eye makeup.

Damon and his leather jacket may be in for some trouble.