I haven’t always loved dresses, in fact, for most of my life I loathed them and refused to wear them. Occasionally I was forced into one, and the disdain could easily be seen on my face. Not until the end of my college years did I have an interest in dresses. Specifically, I was enamored of the 1950s full skirted dresses I would see in some of the old movies I loved. It started me on a search for dresses and I haven’t looked back. That was almost ten years ago, and along the way when I’ve seen other people, movies, tv shows, and such that use “my style” of dresses, I rejoice!

Back in 2008, I saw a commercial for a new fall tv show. That commercial appeased my eyes with a barrage of all sorts of heavenliness and aesthetic pleasantness. That commercial was for Pushing Daisies. Although the show has now been canceled for three years, the heartbreak still burns and the ache of losing such an intelligent, creative, unique, quirky, and original gem can still overwhelm me. There were many factors that made me swoon from that first sight, the colors, the music, the vintage-like settings, a pie-crusted roof, Lee Pace, the odd-ball story line. . .and Chuck’s wardrobe. I thought, “Those are like my dresses!” (Albeit, substantially better.) I knew I had to watch. I keep meaning to write a post about the show as a whole, but I will stick to Chuck’s clothes for now.

As Season 1 progressed and finally a Season 2 was bestowed upon us, Chuck’s dresses and wardrobe expanded and evolved. She not only wore those full skirted 1950s style dresses, but she had some 1960s mod dresses, 1940s inspired fashion, a few 1970s type looks, and in the final episode, a nod to the 1930s.

Her dresses were a highlight for me, but even beyond those, she had the most beautiful, classy, and charming style. The wardrobe department and stylist for this show were genius. Every outfit was so perfectly chosen and put together with each accompanying piece. I’ve referred to Chuck’s superb use of hats before. She also wore headscarves, sunglasses, great heels, boots, and flats, and her coats that would match certain outfits were to die for! She wore a variety of colors, patterns, and silhouettes.

One of my favorite aspects of her outfits was that she matched. Coordinating is the new norm and matching is considered old-fashioned. I love it! Matching shoes and handbag. Matching scarf and sunglasses. She even wore cardigans that would match the dress she was wearing.

Chuck even had great style when it came to her pajamas or lounging clothes. The flashbacks to her living at her aunts’ house usually had amazing props accompanying them. Like when she is learning foreign languages, she listens on those stellar chunky headphones. Or when she goes to the Aquacade to watch her aunts swim, she uses some opera binoculars to get a closer look at things. She even wears some old fashion gloves sometimes. *swoon* Always the perfect touch to make her look flawless and fun.

Though I always thought it was funny that she dressed the way she did in order for it to be basically a disguise. I’d say her “disguises” made her less incognito, but hey, I’d love to be able wear such a disguise.

I had plenty of dresses by the time Pushing Daisies premiered, and some similar to what Chuck was wearing, but the show also inspired in me a resurgence to find more dresses. I now have several dresses that very much came from an outfit I saw her wear. Though there are some dresses or patterns I still yearn for, but have difficulty finding. Oh, how I wish I knew how to sew! I would be scavenging fabric and material and collecting patterns to try and replicate some of her styles. A girl can dream. Though I like to think my closet has enough moxie of it’s own and would be deemed Chuck worthy.