Let's Play Dress Ups

Halloween made me realise something odd; my favourite dress up television episodes aren't the ones celebrating Samhain. The best onscreen costuming comes straight out of left field, and has nothing at all to do with October 31st celebrations.

Maybe it's a girl thing, but there's nothing more fun than seeing the usual kind of storyline played out in, dare I say, unusual fashions? Here's a sample of standout moments when television writers managed to work in reasons for the wardrobe department to get excited:

Any (Homicidal) Excuse Award Goes To...

CASTLE

Personally, I think the creative team behind Castle love dress ups almost as much as I do. Storylines often seem to wander toward subcultures that call for extravagant costuming. Recent example? A murder victim who belonged to a New York-based 1892 Victorian England steampunk private society (as you do). Cue Castle in another crazy ensemble.

Too Cool For School Award Goes To...

VERONICA MARS

Nothing makes you feel older than realising cool kids in teen movies you grew up with are now considered fabulous retro costume opportunities for today's youth. Take the Valentine's Day dance in Veronica Mars. The mood turned hell eighties when Meg donned Molly Ringwald's ugleee triangle prom dress from Pretty In Pink and Veronica opted for Madonna-inspired Like A Virgin styling, complete with black tutu and lace.

Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do Award Goes To...

WILL & GRACE

The Von Trapped episode? Just golden. With more Sound of Music in-jokes than you could throw a nun at, this was a fast paced, extremely clever referential episode celebrating Julie Andrews' finest mountain moments.

Over-Achievers Award Goes To...

GILMORE GIRLS

Noone could costume like this crew. Every time the writers imagined an-y reason for dressing up, they made sure the town was wholeheartedly in on it. When Rory went to college, eccentric townsfolk were replaced with bored rich kids who oh-so-conveniently liked to dress up as much as the citizens of Stars Hollow. Over the years, Rory has costumed it as a pilgrim, manga character, sixties Mod, fifties housewife and forties swing dancer, to name a few. Oh, and she also participated in a Living Art Festival (yes, that's her in the frame).

Subculture Procedural Award Goes To...

NCIS & NCIS LOS ANGELES

Police procedurals are inherently obsessed with Goth episodes. I have no idea why, but for every serious cop show, somewhere in the series' vault you'll stumble across a few whacked out kids in black lippie somehow linked to a murder. At least NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles have a valid tie-in, thanks to the character of Abby. The others are really stretching. (I'm aware this image isn't from a Goth-themed episode, but I was impressed by Abby's on-the-job parasol).

Flashback (Really Far Back) Award Goes To...

CHARMED

Who doesn't love a good flashback? Charmed took it to the next level, focusing on Phoebe's past life in the roaring twenties. The writers cleverly wrangled it so the rest of the cast also appeared back in the day. The sell? Human souls travel in the same circles across various lifetimes, thanks to unfinished business; hence, Phoebe's soul recognised souls familiar to her. Very smooth.

Pointless Yet Fantastic Dress Up Award Goes To...

FRIENDS

Forget margaritas- when consoling a friend, donning bridal gowns together is where it's at. Like Monica, this episode made me want to put on a wedding dress, slip on some rubber gloves and do the dishes. Or sit in a cloud of tulle on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a movie, a la Rachel. Then again, maybe I'd enjoy throwing a bunch of flowers over my head, Phoebe-style!

Costumes, Metaphors & Masks Award Goes To...

ROSWELL

The pilot for this teen show about teen aliens hiding out in Roswell concluded with an enormous dress up party celebrating the original extra-terrestial (supposed) crash landing in '47. Human kids dressed as aliens, alien kids dressed as Men In Black, and Colin Hanks dressed like a character from one of his dad's films. Too cute.

Played For Laughs/Visual Gag Award Goes To...

THE BIG BANG THEORY

All I can say is, losing a bet can be very, VERY bad when you're a comic book geek, that's for sure...