French and Fancy: Saks’ Magalog and the new season of Outlander

If someone were to ask you to describe the types of costumes on Outlander season 1 in three words, you’d probably use some combination of: tartan, mud-caked, kilts, blood-stained, bumrolls, corsets and knitwear. They were the costumes that launched a thousand knitting parties, a few Scottish photoshoots, a hipster merch store (*praise hands*) and even (I mean of course) some serious fandom drama.

The clothes in season 1 were a big deal. We watched Claire and Jamie get dressed (and undressed WHOOP) from top to toe in more than one episode. Even Ned Gowan and Murtagh spent considerable amounts of certain season 1 episodes tracking down clothes. And those season 1 costumes were great and all, but not necessarily the stuff to inspire high fashion. Amirite, Claire?

Ouch. Ok, sorry. That knitwear was FIERCE.

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Season 2 Stepping Up

But now is the time for something a little more couture. Outlander Season 2 is headed to France, Sassenachs, and Terry Dresbach and the amazing costume team on the show are bringing 18th century Paris to life in a way that makes mud-caked knitwear and bloodstained boot socks look like … well mud-caked knitwear and blood-stained boot socks. In other words, they fancy now.

STRUT

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Expectations are high for the visual feast of season 2. If season 1 could be praised for its sweeping cinematography and the use of the geography of Scotland as a character in the show, then surely the sumptuousness of the Frasers in the French court will stand out as a character-defining aspect in season 2.

They’ve traded Scotland for France. Tartan for silk. Bum rolls for … bigger bum rolls. Bannocks for whatever that is on that table that I can’t identify. Anyway, it’s France. It’s fancified. The biggest and best dress from season 1 was borrowed from a hickey-sporting brothel madam. This season, Claire’s going couture.

Finally. Someone who sews.

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Cover Shoots

So it comes as no surprise that Starz has partnered up with Saks this spring to feature Outlander and its stars, Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan, on their March magalog covers AND in their flagship store window displays in New York and Los Angeles.

 

“This exclusive partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue celebrates the stunning costumes from the series, while also featuring Caitriona and Sam in an amazing editorial spread as fashion and entertainment continue to intersect,” said Alison Hoffman, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Starz.

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Sam and Caitriona in Gucci promoting how sexy and svelte the next season is (and they are)?? Heck yes. HERE FOR IT.

I think my favorite version of Caitriona Balfe (other than the has-no-time-for-your-shipper-BS-Balfe) is when she effortlessly steps into her modeling shoes and just comes out looking FLAWLESS. You think the best part about that photo is the dress (because it’s a perfect tea length AND has pockets), until you see the shoes (which are feminine AF), UNTIL YOU SEE HER FACE (utter poise).

Sam looks good, too.

 

Window Dressing

On top of the Saks’ Magalog and interviews with Sam and Caitriona, the flagship store on 5th Avenue and the Beverly Hills store will feature 1700s-inspired vignettes with a Saks’ twist that display costumes and props from the show. Like a really really well-made 5th grade diorama of awesome.

“These windows are our gift to fans, giving them a peek into the second installment which features the finest 1700s Parisian fashion. This spectacle will certainly catch the eyes of passerby’s in New York and Beverly Hills.” – Alison Hoffman, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Starz

So on March 22nd, march your tartan covered ass down to 5th Avenue so you can be the FIRST to selfie with the hand painted mustard dress and Jamie’s embroidered stag coat. Don’t live in SoCal or NYC? Fly there. What kind of a fan are you anyway?

France vs Scotland

But if you’re worried that all this leading up to the new season premiere on April 9th is a little to … French … for our favorite Scottish show, never fear. We’ll never forget our roots. Our Jamie’s roots. They’re red and Scottish and they’re disdainful of all things lame and Parisian.

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So if you’re one of those Outlander fans who owns a thistle tapestry, a genuine clod of dirt from Culloden moor, and a tuft of ruddy hair from the hide of a highland coo, then you’re in luck when it comes to the lead up to season 2. It’s gonna be WAY SCOTTISH: because it’s New York Tartan Week, and here are just some of the events that we made up are totally real.

1. There’s a Scotland 10k in Central Park that sounds like someone’s Peak Challenge destiny.
2. The “Wear Something Tartan Pub Crawl” is not the most creative of names, but oddly enough, gets the point across.
3. You can attend some lunchtime concerts and listen to the Bonnie Braes and the Thistle Pipers duke it out 8-mile style.
4. You can get measured by Howie Nicholsby from 21st Century Kilts for your own little piece of Scottish fashion. This is the same man who measured Sam’s inseam in this pic (which I broke down here), so you are only 2 degrees of separation from having a Heughan baby at this point in the festivities. Must do.
5. Sam Heughan himself is leading the Tartan Day Parade on April 9th as Grand Marshall. It’s too late to walk alongside him in the parade itself, but you can certainly go and throw a bra or a corset or two at his head as he walks by.
6. The time and place has yet to be officially announced, but we are pretty sure that Starz is going to take advantage of all this Scotland love in the city and have the season 2 premiere this week. Worth the price of those RockLove Luckenbooth Thistle Earrings you’ve been dying to have a reason to wear.
7. That late night Sbarro’s pizza run … gotta get a New York slice.
8. The fan get together at “Howie’s Haggish Den” – an old dive Scottish pub in the financial district. Happening.
9. The after-after-party where Sam and Graham are giving whisky drinking tutorials for MPC Charter Members Only.
10. Sunday morning brunch with Caitriona. All welcome.

So, don’t fret about all this Frenchness. No one is forgetting where Outlander leads us all: questioning 18th century hygiene practices Merry Ol’ Scotland. See you salivating over the French costumes at Saks during Tartan Week! We’ll be the confused ones wearing berets, knit cowls and tartan leggings as pants.

 

Which costumes do you most hope are on display at Saks Fifth Avenue and Beverly Hills?

Are you going to NYC Tartan Week?