Broadcasting Style: Olivia Pope’s Wardrobe

A couple of weeks ago, I discussed writing a new feature on the wardrobes of television characters.  Our first inspiring lady-of-the-small-screen is Olivia Pope, the chief fixer on ABC’s Scandal.  Here are Olivia’s wardrobe essentials.

We’re actually going to start with essential element number eight, soft neutrals.  Every piece linked to in today’s post will be in Olivia’s signature palette of whites, greys, muted blues, blush and, occasionally, black.  The sophisticated mix of neutrals is key to achieving the Olivia Pope look.

One.  Silk blouses are a favorite of mine.  Perhaps, this is why I took to Olivia Pope’s signature style so quickly.  The mandarin collar is a frequent player in Olivia’s wardrobe, so try this blush Vanessa Bruno blouse or this grey Vince blouse.  I also like this more relaxed Joie blouse.  For something under-$100, try this blouse from Barney’s or this dark grey shirt.

If mandarin collars aren’t for you, try this sheer white blouse or this shiny grey one.  Lastly, both Zara and Massimo Dutti are great sources for silk or silk-like blouses with a sleek, chic appeal.

Want more ideas on where to shop for Olivia Pope’s Wardrobe Essentials? Find them after the jump.

Two. Our favorite fixer sure loves herself a peplum jacket.  They keep her suits from looking to masculine and really balance out her preferred wide leg trousers.  This Burberry jacket.is.everything.  I also like this Guess Toledo jacket a lot.  And if you need something that won’t cause your wallet to seize up, this white jacket and this grey jacket are pretty chic.

Three. Olivia never met a high collar that she didn’t like.  Try a funnel neck, like this plus-size spring coat or this chic Lacoste sweatshirt.  You can also try an inverted notch collar or this high neck jacket.

Four. Wide leg trousers are a key piece of Olivia’s wardrobe.  I wear these Hutton trousers from J.CREW, they really help camouflage my pear shape.  Definitely worth the investment.

Five.  Cowl necks are the fashion embodiment of drapey chic.  They’re also great for those of us who could use extra volume up top.  I like this satin-y sleeveless blouse, this waterfall DvF top and this $69 ivory shirt.  If you prefer something with a sleeve, try this silver short sleeve number or this dark blue jersey top.

Six. Several times this season, our heroine has been seen sporting full-length leather gloves.  (She likes to wear them under 3/4 length sleeve tops and short sleeve jackets.)  The only pair of long sleeve gloves I could find that wouldn’t require a second mortgage are these Echo gloves.  You can also try vintage shops and eBay.

Seven. The long necklace is Olivia’s go-to accessory.  She sometimes wears one by itself or layers several for extra impact.  If you’re looking to splurge a bit, this Alexis Bittar necklace is lovely and this Majorca pearl necklace is dainty and pretty.  In the affordable category, this open-work necklace is under-$20 and this gold one would be great for layering.

Olivia Pope’s wardrobe is mature, but not dowdy, sophisticated, but soft and can be had even if you don’t have the money for Armani, Marc Jacobs or Prada.  Check back in a couple of weeks for the next episode of Broadcasting Style.