Tits Up, Ladies

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Really is Marvelous

If you haven't watched "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," what are you doing? This Prime Original is a delight to watch. Finally, a strong female lead that proves that "strong" doesn't mean physical strength or seriousness. A comedy that is smart, witty, and surprisingly relatable. A plot that is actually original. It all comes together to make a show that I can't get enough of. It is so good that I can even look past all the "four star" words that litter the sharp dialogue. But what drew me to "Mrs. Maisel," aside from Tony Shalhoub, was the the exquisite costume design. This show is a vintage girl's paradise.

Midge Maisel is unapologetically fashionable. She shows up "overdressed" to every event, is always the prettiest in the room, and isn't afraid to wear heels on the subway. She's not *always* being intentionally showy, it is simply who she is: a woman that dresses up for herself. Yes, she dressed up for her husband, but we also see who she is after they separate and who she was before. She continues to look her best and, after finding herself, she chooses to dress up even more for things that matter to her. Midge's clothes aren't shallow but reveal what she finds important. And guess what, it's not men.

Midge is starting an all new life, but it's still a life that involves swishing dresses, numerous hats, and copious amounts of cold cream. Her style isn't a simple vanity, but something that helps propel her career. And it is clear that it is something that she loves. I often see the "pretty girl" portrayed as shallow or flawed as a result of her looks, but that's not the case with Midge. Midge reminds the world that the "pretty girl" can be just as powerful and driven as the one that supposedly puts more effort into her goals than herself. Despite Midge overcoming this stereotype, she still deals with these same negative judgements that I deal with daily.

But this show doesn't shame people that aren't "stylish." Suzie is an oddball woman that clearly doesn't care about looks, often getting confused for a man. But like Midge, she is determined to achieve a goal and gets to it in her own way. Midge and Suzie are both friends, which proves what I've been saying all along: just because I dress nice, doesn't mean I care how you dress.

As someone that aspires to dress exactly like Midge Maisel, on a daily basis, in the 21st century, it is refreshing and inspiring to see a woman that embraces fanciful clothes in a way that I do. And it's meaningful. Because as much as people deny it, they do judge you, and yes, people judge you for dressing up. "Mrs. Maisel" displays the fact that it is OK to dress up, and it doesn't mean that you are conceited or don't care about more important things. Midge Maisel is a champion of the vintage girl (and all women, truly), and I love that. I love seeing clothes as a tool, not just a way to flaunt costume design and budget. I love seeing a female character that is aggressively feminine and that being a wonderful thing (that is not weak!). I like seeing her be friends with someone that is nothing like that but being no less a woman.

These are the characters we need. These are the clothes I love. Thank you, Midge Maisel.

Tits up,
Christina



Images via "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" available through streaming on Prime, found on image search.