Columbo Clothes and Laughs

S eason 3, Episode 7, Columbo - Swan Song (1974)   This episode was directed by Nicholas Colasanto (Coach from Cheers), and written by David Rayfiel, Stanley Ralph Ross, and Richard Levinson.  This is the Johnny Cash episode! There are not many exceptional outfits in this episode, as most of the characters are dressed in choir robes, seamstress coats, or as is the Man in Black - head to toe black. But let's celebrate what we can. 1) Tommy Brown's Levi's 70671 split tail dark denim chore coat:    He breaks his all-black rule only in the final scenes to don this long jean jacket with western styling, over his all-black western clothing and indigo bandana scarf.  The unrepentant ladies' man gets a backhanded dig in at Columbo as he boards a round trip plane for San Francisco, but he looks good doing it. This is a rockstar's jacket.   Keep a lookout for this jacket repurposed in the next season by a murderous photographer.    2) Tina's embroidered w...

Season 3, Episode 6, Columbo - Mind over Mayhem (1974)   This episode was directed by Alf Kjellin, and written by Steven Bochco, Dean Hargrove, and Roland Kibbee.  There are not many exceptional outfits in this episode, as most of the characters are either scientists, in the military, or cops, and accordingly are dressed conservatively. But let's celebrate some good ones.  1) Margaret Nicholson's green shirt dress:  This has a big butterfly collar, tuxedo pleats down the front, and a cute matching belt.  It hits at her knee and she's wearing some sensible ivory pumps. She looks nervous, but casually professional.    2) Margaret's pink checkerboard turtleneck:  Just a hint of style for the psychiatrist. Worn under a black a-line skirt suit:    3) For the first time with a Columbo Clothes and Laughs trifecta, Margaret Nicholson sweeps the awards with her navy and white dress:     It's navy blue long sleeve with a wide white ...

POLL: Columbo S3E5 - Publish or Perish - Which outfit is your favorite?    Riley Greenleaf's polka dots   Alan Mallory's brown denim shacket       Eileen McRae's red hat outfit     Riley Greenleaf's houndstooth blazer     Riley Greenleaf's pink shirt with red tie  

Season 3, Episode 5, Columbo - Publish or Perish (1974)   This episode was directed by Robert Butler and written by Peter Fischer, Richard Levinson and William Link.  The three best outfits in this episode are:  1) Riley Greenleaf's polka dot shirt outfit:    He's wearing a navy and white polka dotted huge butterfly collared shirt under a navy blazer with white buttons and a white pocket square.       He's paired this with some gray flannel trousers and looks like the ultimate 1973 slightly nautical, slightly preppy, slightly disco, ever so hip gentleman.      2) Eagle eyes for fashion will notice that murder victim Alan Mallory is sporting the exact same brown denim western blazer with white contrast stitching and shoulder epaulets that Enrico Guiseppe Carsini ( S3E2 Any Old Port in a Storm ) is wearing when his brother bops him on the head with a gold pot.    This outfit seems to incite murderous rage.     3) E...