Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a show that is unique at its core. The show follows housewife Midge Maisel, a woman gets her life turned upside down because of decisions made by the people around her, and now has only one way to go: after what she wants. Which, it turns out, is to be a standup comedian in a time (the late 1950s) when it was not something accepted by society in general.
Midge's love for fashion is seen from the first episode until the last available episode. The show won an Emmy for Outstanding Period Costumes in 2019. It was nominated a few times for Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Period or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More). Donna Zakowska is the head of the production design of every character in the show, and there are quite a few with very different styles. “I used color to depict [Midge’s] emotional landscape and give emphasis to moments in which she needed to be particularly comic or heroic or even proactive,” Zakowska wrote in her book Madly Marvelous: The Costumes of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
It is almost impossible to choose only a few fashion and costume moments in the show, but here are a few that were significant not only because they were phenomenal but also for what they signify to the character and her journey. Here are the most memorable ones.
8 Bedtime Routine
Season 1, Episode 1
Especially in the first season, how Midge prepared to sleep alongside her husband says a lot about who she is and the worldview she has been taught from an early age. Her waiting for him to sleep to take her makeup off and waking up before he did so that she would be 'perfect' changes quite a bit as the seasons progressed. It is a nice evolution to the character that is shown in a very simple way and is accompanied by gorgeous outfits that were very popular in the period she lives in.
7 A Working Lady
Season 1, Episode 5
When Midge starts to work as a makeup-counter girl at B. Altman's, she finds out that because she knows so much about makeup, she is quite good at it. Her uniform may not have been a choice she would have made otherwise, but it is still reminiscent of that era, and quite cute.
It was also an interesting side to the character that, so far, had only worn high-end clothes and not worked before. It was one of the first times that Midge was becoming truly independent and understanding what that entailed. Her uniform may be usually overlooked, but it is an important landmark to the character and period.
6 A True Patriot
Season 3, Episode 1
There is no denying that the stand-up comedian knows how to dress to impress. When Midge went to talk to the military, it was no different. Using the colors of the United States Flag in different parts of her outfit created a fun and original look that complemented not only her silhouette but her performance as well. This choice gave her a patriotic look without being boring or ugly. When the audience looks at her performing in this outfit it is so clearly a part of her character that is hard to imagine her wearing anything else.
5 Revenge Time
Season 4, Episode 1
Midge's outfits directly correlate to how she is feeling. So, when she goes on a rant about revenge and how her career getting ruined was unfair, in a great Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stand-up scene, she couldn't simply wear a pastel blue dress. Instead, she wears a combination of a dark blouse and pants that highlight her feelings. Midge is mourning everything she dreamed would happen to her by going on tour with Shy. There is a seriousness in her fashion choice that enhances the new tone of the character and the new plot line.
4 A Pink Introduction
Season 1, Episode 1
The first time the audience sees Midge is very important. Her outfit had to convey everything essential to her: class, fashion, and most importantly, it had to catch everyone's eye. Her pink-on-pink ensemble is an incredible way to introduce this unique character. It also says a lot about what she likes regarding fashion, as she wears a lot of various pink outfits throughout the seasons.
3 Catskills Fashion
Season 2, Episode 4
Midge used some unbelievable costumes while spending her summer with her family, and ex-husband, in the resort at the Catskills. It is nice to see the character in a more relaxed and casual outfit, with more pastel colors, but very thought out and flattering. Midge loves to color code her accessories, and her ensembles in the summer resort are some of the best ones. It is almost impossible to pick only one outfit from this episode.
2 Red Yom Kippur Dress
Season 1, Episode 2
After her husband admitted to the affair with his secretary and left, Midge was heartbroken. Her mom decided to not cancel the invitation of Midge's inlaws for a holiday dinner, even after everything that happened. At her mom's insistence, she wears a gorgeous red dress that seems too much for the occasion: and that is exactly why she is wearing it. Not all the plans for the evening work out (most of them don't), but Midge is still wearing one of the most beautiful costumes the show has seen so far.
1 First Standup As Mrs. Maisel
Season 1, Episode 8
The black Givenchy Breakfast at Tiffany’s inspired dress has to be the best one. At the end of the first season, Midge is banned from performing in all comedy clubs except the Gaslight. She dresses elegantly and, for the first time, calls herself Mrs. Maisel on stage. The only thing that can be called classy in the performance is the outfit, as she tells a story about calling a girl scout the b-word for not having the cookies she wanted; amongst other extremely funny yet inappropriate jokes. It was the outfit that signifies how much she just embraced herself, not allowing labels as 'housewife' or 'comedian' and just allowing herself to be who she truly is.