Ugly Betty has just wrapped up its latest season, and I feel like there are some matters that need to be addressed before they move forward. A lot of things about the last season have confused me. Like, was Daniel's dangerously painful singing super-necessary? All the clumsy footwork around Justin's extra-gayness? What about Marc and Amanda's little make-out session? Okay, that last one was pretty great, I'll admit, but some things have happened this season that have really stripped the show of its original charm. Because I am a shallow person that often cattily judges people by their appearance to cover up my personal insecurities and self-loathing, the biggest problem I had with this season was with the clothes. I thought Betty was supposed to be the tackiest one on the show.
It's been a recurring problem since they changed up their costume designer and threw the reins to Patricia Field during the show's move from LA to New York, but I was so stunned by Willie's outfit in a recent episode, I had to screencap it (see above). What happened to the super-fox constantly clad in varying shades of sleek champagne? This is what Season One Betty would have worn as a hilarious joke. From the sparkly purple pear holder head thing to the Hot Topic assistant manager sleeves... I don't even know where to rest my terrified eyes.
I can understand the show's candy colored aesthetics, but I am still astounded by the costuming. The first two seasons pulled off the quirkiness beautifully. I remember marveling at Marc's bold pattern combinations and confident colors, but now all I can visualize is that extra-weird tree bark sweater he wore in one episode that made him look like Treebeard's sassy BFF.
Everything was bright and borderline seizure-inducing but at least it was well-coordinated. Fingers crossed the characters next season will look a little less Betty-like. Well, except Betty, of course.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-22-2009 @ 5:59PM
lover said...
That outfit is horrid!! Willy would never wear something like that.
I haven't watched since the second season. The show went downhill fast.
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5-22-2009 @ 11:26PM
deebopalula said...
Ridiculously horrid, April Fool's Day horrid, BLEEDING EYES HORRID!!
Patricia Field has a unique style and there are places and people in the show where it may fit, but a costume designer's primary responsibility should be to remain true to the character they are dressing and that outfit is so NOT "Wilhelmina"!
5-22-2009 @ 6:02PM
wader said...
I totally agree. When I saw that I said out loud, "what the hell is that?! Is it pirate day at Mode?"
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10-08-2009 @ 3:51PM
ilufyoo said...
if you dont like ugly betty, why do you even watch it? why keep watching it if your eyes are about to bleed..
i love the show so stop complaining.
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5-22-2009 @ 6:09PM
Annie Wu said...
Why I watch? Marc and Amanda. And sometimes Hilda. I like them so it's unfortunate that my eyes occasionally burst into flames when I look at the screen.
5-22-2009 @ 6:18PM
judy said...
I agree with you, ilufyoo. Let's get someone here who's at least neutral about the show. I'm not neutral by a long shot, loving this show immensely. Like most, this one has its ups and downs but to me, mostly up. And, by the way, what kind of review is this? 'Tis a far, far better thing you do by not writing at all, rather than giving short shrift.
5-22-2009 @ 6:27PM
Annie Wu said...
No worries. This isn't an Ugly Betty review, just a catty mini-rant about this season's sad costume design.
5-22-2009 @ 8:18PM
tv junkie said...
i agree with the rant on this season's not-so-glamorous outfit. Vanessa Williams is such a good sport for wearing some of the hideous stuff all season long, i've been wondering why a fashion editor would wear some of the "Betty-level" outfits. i don't think Annie is bashing the show either.
5-23-2009 @ 1:52AM
bruce said...
Why do people always make this dumb comment here. "If you have a problem with the show don't watch it." That's so stupid. First of all, if you really like a show and notice some issues with it, a true fan would speak up and point them out. Second, not agreeing with the constume choices doesn't mean you don't like the show as a whole. I can think of several things I don't like about every TV show (and movie) that I like and routinely watch. Why does that mean I shouldn't watch it, or shouldn't say anything about those things I don't like?
Is this a remnant of the Bush Administration? Either you're with a TV show or you're against it? No middle ground? And it's unpatriotic to that TV show to criticize it or say anything negative about it in any form? Bush lost, get over it. Dissent is good.
And I agree about the wardrobe choices for UB, although one would think after several years of being teased that Betty would make some minimal effort to fit in, clothes-wise. She does work at a fashion magazine after all, and insofar as she works for Daniel Mead, she represents him and the company. You'd think Daniel would take her aside at some point and say "tone it down a notch" (or even buy her a new wardrobe). But there's no excuse for Wilhelmina's outfits.
5-22-2009 @ 11:45PM
J said...
think you're looking for "threw the reins"
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5-22-2009 @ 8:21PM
Saurin P said...
Betty should become Sexy Betty for one season. Have the rise and fall of Betty and have her write about it as a features editor. Matt then would become super jealous as Betty starts dating hotter and more famous people, only to fall back into love with Matt and Sexxy Betty becomes Ugly Betty yet again.
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5-22-2009 @ 11:18PM
deebopalula said...
Awesome idea - I'd love to see that play out!
5-23-2009 @ 12:29AM
Dottie said...
I love Ugly Betty, but this season finale was WAY TOO LONG (2 hours) and WAY TOO BIZARRE. I am beginning to see this show going the way of other good comedies....writers becoming desperate for story lines for a show that is beginning to fade. Why have they moved the show to its new time slot? Because the people aren't watching. If I were in charge, I'd get rid of the new costume person and bring in some new writers who can refresh the show and bring it back to its original quality. Otherwise, I predict this will be its last season.
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5-23-2009 @ 9:37AM
Fruit_loopz said...
Well, its already been greenlighted for another season, so I don't think this will be the last.
I've been really confused by Willy's behaviour this season. She's supposed to be this high-powered Meryl Streep type business woman in The Devil Wears Prada, but this season first she got all googly-eyed with Connor and acted like a little school girl, and now she's winking at Marc and reminiscing about the good times (out loud in front of him) that she's going to miss with him. I mean - that is just SOO not Wilhelmina. That is not who she is and that is certainly not how she got to where she is.
And I totally agree about the costumes - Patricia Field is great for a show like SATC where they are *attempting* to be fashion forward (attempting being the key word), but in a show like Ugly Betty she is not a good fit at all. I want Wilhelmina's fierce, classical look back with clean lines and uncluttered colors.
And we wouldn't be on here criticizing the show if we didn't love it so much and wanted it to succeed. Get a grip people.
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5-23-2009 @ 9:38AM
Fruit_loopz said...
Also, Silvia Horta has said that they're gonna get rid of some of the Ugly from Betty's look next season. I'm excited to see where they go with that!
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5-23-2009 @ 12:18PM
Sarah said...
extra-gayness??
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5-24-2009 @ 5:43PM
Donna said...
Let's just forget the American version altogether and go straight to the original -- "Yo Soy Betty La Fea" with Ana María Orozco. It airs on Spanish TV here, but I'd like to see it with English subtitles for those of us who don't understand Spanish well, like me.
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