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eye candy
April 19, 2013

Watch Mr. Selfridge for the Best Costumes on TV Right Now

By Sally Holmes

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Photo: PBS

If you’ve been missing your weekly dose of tea-time fashion, evening costume changes, and Dowager Countess sass with Downton Abbey off the air, you’re in luck because PBS has brought us the similarly fabulous Mr. Selfridge. Set in 1908 London, the story revolves around Harry Selfridge, founder of the eponymous department store, and the various ladies in his life, including his wife, his patroness, his mistress, and his female employees.

While Jeremy Piven — who basically plays the same hotshot character as he did in Entourage — gets to wear his fair share of elegant neckties and beautifully tailored suits, it’s the ladies’ costumes that are tingle-inducing. These women are into lush fur, big jewels, towering hats, and gorgeous dresses. And because this story takes place in a department store, we get to see all the drama that revolves around women’s fashion: displaying rouge above the counter, selling perfume in the front of the store, and wearing ankle-length skirts. Quel scandale! The motto of the show seems to be “You only live once,”  a phrase repeated by many of the characters, so with that in mind, take a look at some of the fabulous outfits worn on Mr. Selfridge, and set your DVR to record the series pronto, because #YOLO.

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1 / 19 Photos
Lady Mae Loxley "There are so many different ways to run a marriage, don't you think? And to never see each other, that's one of the very be... Lady Mae Loxley "There are so many different ways to run a marriage, don't you think? And to never see each other, that's one of the very best." Socialite Lady Mae Loxley delivers many of the show's best zingers and has the sassy wardrobe to match.
Ellen Love Ellen Love's provocative stage costume is so pretty it's hard to concentrate on thinking she's a floozy.
Harry and Rose Selfridge Mrs. Selfridge is American, which means she likes to show her emotions ... and obviously, her expensive jewelry.
Mr. Selfridge A confident businessman in a confident coat.
Victor Colleano and Agnes Towler What one would wear to interview for a job that includes this caveat: "Female assistants who marry will hav... Victor Colleano and Agnes Towler What one would wear to interview for a job that includes this caveat: "Female assistants who marry will have to leave. Make sure they know that."
Lady Mae Loxley and Harry Selfridge Just an everyday hat for a routine lunch date.
Rose Selfridge In an earlier scene, Rose wears something very similar to this on the Underground. Because, no big deal.
Lady Mae Loxley A supporter of the suffragette movement, Lady Mae is wearing the equivalent of a power suit.
Doris Millar and Ellen Love From the sales associates to the customers, everyone looks chic to do their business.
Ellen Love Miss Love likes a lot of sparkle and a good time.
Ellen Love And the gal likes to put on a show.
Anna Pavlova This dress rightfully elicits oohs from the crowd when people first lay eyes on it.
It seems like Rose rarely leaves the house without a fox around her neck.
In the words of Lady Mae, "I do so enjoy a shapely calf."
Rose Selfridge and Lady Mae Loxley These women are not shy about the height of their accessories.
Valerie Maurel Valerie is French, lives in New York, and works in advertising, hence the progressive necktie.
Rose Selfridge This is the sort of unassuming garb you'd wear to blend in when hanging out with a struggling artist.
Anna Pavlova Take that, Black Swan.
Ellen Love Another fox and another blingy brooch.
1 / 19

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