WHY DOES SHIV ROY LOOK SO WEALTHY? | Color and Body Typing | Succession | HBO

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MerriamStyle Club:

[weeleelee]

I always thought the costume dept dressed her 'badly' on purpose. It reflects (I think) her lack of self-identity in the show. That is, she is who she is only in relation to her father. Love her in the tousled hair photo, though.

[lisakathleen]

Yes! Warm and delicate dramatic classic here ✋😁 I always appreciate when you make classic/blended content. Your videos have truly changed my life by allowing me to gain confidence through how I dress. When I started watching your videos a few years back, I finally understood why I always looked so "weird" and had to try on 5 outfits every morning just to find something that looked decent. Now I feel so much more confident and effortless in my own skin and have been told I give off "girl boss" energy at work, which now that I think about it could have contributed to how quickly I've progressed my career since I graduated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Merriam! 🙏

[pjperkinz]

I love your honesty and how you explain why certain items don't sit well with us when they cross our line of vision.

[ShannaFarley]

Shiv seems to be more of a soft classic and a soft autumn in coloring. I think season 1 gave her the outfits that work best for her. She rocked many silk button ups and having soft neat hair really framed her face. Not that suits look bad on her, but she seems to wear some boxier cuts and occasionally clothing that looks too relaxed that makes an outfit look sloppy.

[csxz]

this great i LOVE hearing why things don't work and look bad. it is really illuminating

[hothotheat]

Wealthy women don’t wear obvious designer labels. If an influencer/trophy wife/sugar baby is aware of the label, they aren’t wearing it. They wear stuff that the top tier elected are aware of and no one else.

[SiatkazBiedronki]

Thanks so much for this! Shiv style analysis - ❤
If I might disagree - don’t you think that 1 season’s hippie/romantic style actually suited her better? She looked more compelling and harmonious IMO. Those long hair and salmon-nude satin shirt on Logan’s b-day were perfect, I think. Soft elegance is great for her but too stiff corporate style doesn’t really fit.
She has ingenue quality to her face and I don’t really see Classic yang component in her. Her body is VERY curvy, more romantic than Classic.
I’m interested in your opinion.

[chelseacristoffor]

Lovely to see you analyzing characters. Would love to see more videos about dramatic types!

[qmonk]

This is rly interesting to see, although I will say personally (I mean, I really love the show). I do think a lot of the costuming that feels 'sloppy' or 'off' and a little bit throws Shiv off kilter visually is often intentionally about communicating her instability or sense of insecurity. When she dresses up rly nicely but still looks 'tacky' there's a sense that she's not as composed as she's trying to appear. I also think Succession is so fascinating in terms of costuming b/c so much of the 'work' they do and their lives and the 'game' they play is about 'optics' and perception. Even things like Kendall changing his sneakers for his meeting with the artists.

I also saw someone talking somewhere about the idea of how long-time wealthy people dress (many characters, but especially in someone like Stewy). Because he's secure in his wealth his expression of luxury isn't overly 'gaudy' or excessive. instead he has simple but effective and high scale pieces that casually indicate that he is at home in his wealth. Whereas you have characters like Tom who at times is mocked for Trying Too Hard to look wealthy. Or even Tom mocking Greg... sorry I do love television/film analysis. But I'd love to see if you're interested in analysing any of the other costuming and what it communicates/maybe what the casting allows the costuming to communicate.

For maybe other male leads like Kendall/Stewy/Roman ect... or even other female side characters like Gerri, Marcia, Willa and how their 'looks' and costuming express their relationship with wealth/how they feel about themselves and what they are trying to communicate. Sorry this is long, thanks for the analysis :)

[TicTacToki]

These character analysis videos are so interesting, please do more 😍

[seabreeze]

please also cover Serena's mother in Gossip Girl (original) - very classic and elegant

[samanthacurrie]

Yes, definitely my experience as a blended type. So many things look like a costume on me and so the head-to-toe look is important. And also noticing that put-together hair is crucial too, especially as I’m beginning to age.

[RoOoma]

Awesome as usual! I can’t get enough of your info and input. I have a small request though! I’d love and appreciate it if you dig deeper into explaining essences for each body type and what are the best clothing recommendations to match essence with body type.
Thank you Merriam ♥️

[b.a.hazard]

Nooo I was just thinking about how much I loved the blue dress 😂. I thought the cowl part made her look like a Greek statue. Ugh the back was gorgeous… the hair… obviously it’s a personal preference but I’m not obsessed with the idea of changing your style solely to fit some subjective “body type”. Adapting my style to actually reflect my life and identity, not my proportions, has really helped me feel who I am in my skin.
I guess I just say this to offer a counter perspective… there’s so much fashion advice out there when ultimately, I wonder if we’re forgetting the greatest power our clothing offers us. Self expression

[LeniCro]

Lovely color analysis. I feel i always learn something new from you. Also, that blue top looks gorgeous on you, and your voice is very soothing.

[katherinevoskressensky]

Happy to discover your channel! You’re great at pinpointing exactly what does and doesn’t work- you have a great eye!

[p.b.]

What a fascinating concept! Ive never seen the show but I'm about to eat this info up. Sorry to be bringing up an obscure, 2 season show from 10 years ago; but ever see Don't Trust the B in Appt 23? The styling and coloring of Kristen Ritter on that show just wows me. A pleasure to take in, and I can't find the words for it.

[LS-ktql]

I love your videos, and also the way you present your knowledge on the subject in such a calm and sophisticated way. Your videos helped me find my Kibbe type, I'm SD, my skin undertone, warm and delicate, and my contrast level - low. I'm still struggeling a little with my essence, I think it is mostly classic with a touch of ethereal. Anyway, thanks a lot for sharing your work with us! I've recommended your channel to a lot of fashion-interested friends already :)

[angelsshare.]

TImely post, thank you! Been catching up with prior seasons in advance of the new season premiere. Love this actress, Sarah Snook, and the Shiv Roy character she's developed. IMO The show's costume department doesn't do her any favors. As a bottom-heavy/apple body type, they often dress her in too-clingy outfits that are quite unflattering. Surrounded by short male actors, I agree she comes across as taller than 5'6", while her TV husband Tom (Matthew Macfayden - Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice) is 6'3". When they're in scenes together, that's when you can appreciate her beautiful shape and stature. I appreciate that the showunners selected an actress with a realistic body type (not stick thin like many Hollywood actresses) with an approachable natural beauty that's easy to relate to.

[kaitlinroth]

love the character analysis!! hope to see more of these, maybe one for a rounded-mixed type?