‘Seinfeld’ Costume Designer Reveals Fashion Secrets On the Set
The 1990s were a great time for fashion. Much of it can still be seen on syndicated episodes of Seinfeld. Week after week the core four characters had their own styles that evolved (or didn’t) throughout nine seasons on the set.
Jerry Seinfeld wasn’t big on decisions
If anyone knows a thing or two about the cast of Seinfeld‘s wardrobe choices, it’s costume designer Charmaine Simmons. She spoke with The Los Angeles Times at the height of Seinfeld fame, explaining each star’s wardrobe preferences.
Jerry Seinfeld‘s look became synonymous with jeans and a button-down shirt. But there’s more to it. Simmons said his leather jackets got better over time.
Around the middle of the series, Seinfeld — who previously stuck with a collection of Nike Air shoes — changed things up.
“I really don’t know what happened. It just happened overnight,” she said.
“Jerry never liked choices. He wanted me to put one thing in his [dressing] room so he could put it on and go out to the set. He said, ‘I don’t like choices.’”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus had a look all her own
Dreyfus was one of the harder stars to dress due to her two pregnancies Simmons had to hide.
“It was like, ‘Hey, we’re going to pretend she’s not pregnant,’ ” Simmons said.
“We got away with basic shirts worn out over narrow pants with jackets for a long time,” she said adding they moved to thick maternity wear in late-stage pregnancy. “Lightweight fabrics flutter. Heavy fabrics don’t move.”
Elaine’s style is considered “Manhatten somber,” the outlet stated. Elaine’s evolution began when she ditched the long floral dresses and got a new hairstyle.
Simmons revealed that the sitcom had its own jewelry safe for storing Dreyfus’ real — not costume — Wendy Brigode pearl, gold, and platinum pieces.
Michael Richards kept his entrances constant with this choice
Simmons said that Kramer’s look didn’t evolve and for good reason. The show utilized custom-made vintage fabrics to match Kramer’s personality. But, Richards had the same to pairs of identical black Doc Martin’s for the entire series.
“Every day for rehearsals he wore the shoes and usually grabbed one of his flecked wool blazers,” Simmons said.
Jason Alexander’s put his own preferences into George
Much like Richards, Alexander had a particular fashion rule when it came to dressing George. Simmons said the actor hated neckties.
“We’ve had a few incidents over ties,” Simmons said. She explained how she used that to shape George’s wardrobe.
“The guy’s cheap. That’s where his look came from.”
