You're Wearing That?

"You have a problem with my Sexy Rogue Ensemble?"

The Sexy Rogue Ensemble is de rigueur for male characters battling possible supernatural/paranormal foes on television. I was reminded of the less-than-subtle costuming trend when I saw a shot of Duchovny on the set of the new X-Files, because yes, Mulder's in on it too.

Say hello to The Jacket: rugged fabric in camo green or another no-nonsense dark shade, minimal modern interpretation of a collar, and almost a box cut (in that it's not too loose but not too fitted). 

The Jacket borders on a uniform at this point (except sexy rogues are a touch too non-conformist for uniforms), worn with denim jeans and simple tees/shirts. No bright colors in sight. The sexy rogue usually favors short hair, but kind of scruffy short hair. Like they would be in the army if they could handle rules.

I'm callin' it. Urban Warrior all the way.

Traits you can assume any character wearing this clothing trope onscreen possesses (give or take a few points, 'cause rogues are a tad unpredictable):

-Usually hunting something, or being hunted.

-Will step in and save others, if reluctantly.

-Despite sometimes questionable interpersonal skills, deep down has a heart of gold.

-Generally funny (whether intentionally or not).

-Bit of a hit with the ladies.

-Mega hot despite the bad drinking and eating habits. Fit from all the roguein', I guess. (Hey, it's television.)

Yeah, I can see why they'd wrap this costuming trope around Mulder. Frankly, it's an upgrade from his nineties fashion fare...!

Still coming to terms with the lack of red hair over here.

I consider the character of Dean from Supernatural to be the "father" of this trend. Not because he's the first person to wear it like a uniform, but because he cemented SRE in the zeitgeist over a decade of seasons.

"This looks is MINE."

Can another Dean photo reall-y hurt? Wait, how about his brother instead? #keepinitinthefamily

The Jacket lends itself to"supernatural" moves.

...Other hunter characters on the show have tried to channel the look.

Give it up Garth.

Over on Grimm Nick got the memo about the dress code. A cupboard in the creepy Weapons 'n Weirdness caravan is probably full of The Jacket in black, near black, navy, dark blue, and almost black.  

"Should I have gone for a different shade? Maybe charcoal?"

The Secret Circle reminded audiences this dress code applies to teen witches battling witch hunters as well.

A prettier version on Adam, but still The Jacket.

Vampire Diaries fans will tell you Alaric kept his interpretation cleaner. (Keeps? Now he's not dead? #supernaturalgrammarissues). Vampire hunter, sure, but he's also the local history teacher.

Seriously, I can take a class wearing this.

 An invisible barrier like the one in Under The Dome captured a wild SRE. See that sexy rogue in the background?

Barbie should know better. The Sexy Rogue Ensemble
 isn't popular in small towns.

On Beauty and the Beast Vincent's version made it onto the promo poster.

From rooftops to subway tunnels, SRE is all the rage.

Seriously, this look is always in for sexy rogues. Don't believe me? Ask a time traveller.

"I can confirm I've worn this jacket in multiple timelines."

...Annnddd as much as I'd like to spend the rest of my day sourcing examples of Sexy Rogue Ensembles, I think I've made my point xx

Halloween Onscreen

Since it's All Hallows Eve, I thought I should take a (sort of) traditional path and give kudos to kick ass costumes on the small screen.

Best Existential Costume... Oz, come on down!

Always understated in his approach, Oz from Buffy The Vampire Slayer pretty much won the costume pool with his low key portrayal of God (ie, a stick-on nametag). Sometimes, less really is more. It didn't hurt that his gf was dressed as Joan of Arc... To be fair, Xander came in a close second, with his snazzy ensemble.

Buffy: Like the tux, Xander.

Xander: Bond. James Bond. Insurance, you know, in case we get turned into our costumes again. I'm going for cool, secret agent guy.

Buffy: I hate to break it to you, but you'll probably end up cool head waiter guy.

Xander: As long as I'm cool and wield some kind of power...

Buffy, Season 4, Episode 4.

Best Random Costume... Cassie, come on down!

New teen supernatural show The Secret Circle is about a bunch of witches. The crew put together some fantastic set design for the onscreen Halloween party. (Serious thumbs up). All of the characters wore costumes that matched an aspect of their character's personalities, except the main actress... who attended her Halloween party as a bee.

Yes, you read that right. It was totally bee-zarre (sorry). I'm guessing that in this still shot, she's actually on the phone to the producer, just confirming that she is, in fact, meant to appear in a pivotal episode dressed as a bug??

Best Lame Costume... Chandler, come on down!

Some people say Ross's effort as a 'Sputnik' (part potato, part Russian satellite) was the lamest Halloween outfit on Friends, but I beg to differ. Chandler as a pink bunny? Truly sad. Everyone knows he's always desperate to appear more manly, yet his girlfriend goes ahead and hires him a pink rabbit outfit. Way to emasculate.

Best Meta Costume... Castle, come on down!

The character Castle tries on a 'Space Cowboy' costume. His daughter in the show complains he wore the same outfit the previous year.

What makes this AWESOME is that actor Nathan Fillion, who plays Castle, used to be in the cult tv show Firefly. This costume is actually what his character Mal wore on Firefly. There's one for the fans.

Best Memory of a TV Costume... Brenda and Dylan, come on down!

Remember Ye Olde Days, when we thought this crew were the height of teen sophistication? Dylan and Brenda as Bonnie and Clyde looked sensational. (As a PG rated Spelling effort, the script kind of glossed over B&C's murderous habits). All I really remember is being in awe of Shannon Doherty's style.

Best Undead Costume... Sheldon, come on down!

Sheldon kicks some Halloween ass in the latest episode of The Big Bang Theory. After a number of failed trickster moments, eventually he dresses up as a zombie and comes bursting out of the couch. (Yes, he's actually lying in the framework). "Bazinga Punk", indeed.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!