Absolutely NAILING "working with what you've got".

[CallieRedux]

Was rewatching "As Time Goes By", and Judi Dench looks just... impeccable throughout the entire run. Honestly can't think of a single thing she would look better changing. Hair, colors, cut of clothing... every single aspect just elevates and suits her to a T. Maaaay have been fortuitous timing for her look - her daughter's character quite often looks fairly dowdy in the styles of the time, AND major props to the wardrobe people that had a lot of that rayon steamed/ironed flawlessly, but it made me realize that I can't think of too many TV characters or people in real life who are as good at that. Can any of you think of some? Not just people who can "look good", but more people work really well with what they've got - whatever that is. For the record, I look absolutely nothing like Judi Dench, just think her look was brilliant for her.

people WHO work really well with what they've got

I always admired the character of Elaine on Seinfeld. She nailed the dress and loafers look long before it was popular, also loose suits. She looked feminine without dressing sexy.

I'm not sure how much sway Julie Louis-Dreyfus had on the costumes department, but I always admired her 'look'.

Agree - Elaine from Seinfeld is perfect!

Helen McCrory as Kathryn in ‘MotherFatherSon’. Not sure I’ve seen such astonishing care taken over a contemporary woman’s wardrobe in a TV series before. I think I gasped every time she appeared on screen - but there’s a golden dress she wears to a wedding …

The character has become a weird style icon for me - if ever I’m unsure about a purchase I think would Kathryn wear this?.

That said, it’s strange and sad in a way that my TV style icons - Kathryn, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Nessa Stein in ‘The Honourable Woman’, Rebecca Hall as Sylvia Tietjens in ‘Parade’s End’, are all fantastically wealthy, white, and the opposite of how I look and experience life.

The clothes, though …

The wardrobe department on the BBC series about the family of lawyers with Nicola thingy (my peri brain isn't working to remember names/show titles!) was immaculate - beautiful tailoring, perfect proportions, every character had their own ID and didn't wear anything out of place. Loved watching it just for the clothes.

Dame Judi has, as did Helen MccCrory, amazing bone structure, and looked great with very short hair, so avoided the dated hairstyles.
Both shortish, but probably had well-proportioned bodies.

So sad about Helen McCrory. A wonderful actress taken far too soon.

The Split?

Not quite what you asked but Sienna Miller's wardrobe in Anatomy of a Scandal was stunning.

More down to earth, I think Kirstie Allsopp dresses extremely well for her figure- she has a signature look of colourful dresses with good waist definition which work extremely well, with a good balance between looking professional and looking creative and fun. Not everyone's style but I think it's exactly right for her and makes a nice change from a lot of advice given to women with fuller figures which tends to be "wear black trousers and some ghastly tunic".

And a lovely person, apparently - DCousin used to work with her.

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow , from what I've heard too.
Maybe someone could condense the 'working with what you've got' from these tv series.

I find the 'dressing for your body type' helpful, but they don't tend to quite cover my body, or they seem to focus on showing off a great cleavage/tiny waist/good legs, not create a good overall impression.

I'll need to watch some re-runs.

Sorry, @CallieRedux - I meant to address the point you actually made, but got too excited over gold frocks. I was always interested in how Helen McCrory was presented on screen - partly because she was roughly my height, but mostly because she was so singular in her looks and the way she carried herself.

I agree totally about Kirstie Allsopp, makes her lovely dresses work for her, she is naturally pretty though and has great hair.

She looks fab in Veep too, completely different character and style, but always very polished.

Yes, both of these sprung to my mind when I was reading the OP too.

I loved Sienna Miller's wardrobe, but my body shape is considerably closer to Kirstie Allsop's!

@PuppyMcPupFace yes, The Split! Thanks 😁

Kirstie Allsopp has her own style and knows what suits her. She probably looks bigger because she has an hourglass shape, and she's not tall.

Samantha Cameron has definitely nailed her look, but she's tall and slender, which probably makes it easier.

Agree with Nicola Walker's character in The Split.

Totally different vibe but Mindy Lahiri on The Mindy Show absolutely owns everything she wears. Not all to my taste but a lot of it is (if I could afford it!)

Queen Latifah's character in TV show The Equaliser also wears some amazing stuff. Really loved a quirky trench coat, but sadly it was Celine and about £3k

I read an interview with Nicola Walker where she talked about how expensive all those clothes were. No wonder she looked good!

Bear in mind they'll have had hairdressers and make up people making them look perfect too.

Lesley Manville in Magpie Murders. She's utterly captivating - every outfit looks amazing, her hair, make up, poise etc. I couldn't believe she was 67.

She also looks amazing with great clothes in Mrs Harris Goes To Paris.

I loved Judi Dench in As Time Goes By exactly because her clothes were so wonderful. It was just how I wanted to dress back then (even though I'm about 30 years her junior!) but back then my purse wouldn't stretch to it even if I'd been able to find the clothes. I'm still a big fan of floaty beautifully cut clothing and I can finally wear them!

Agree on NW in The Split. I think that programme directly led to my buying some new clothes for work. Deborah Findlay and Annabel Scholey looked great also.

I really loved what Annabel Croft wore at Wimbledon this year.

All a bit power dressing, but the mature female character's style I loved as a kid were Grace Van Owen in LA Law and Krystle Carrington in Dynasty.

On the non-power dressing side, Felicity Kendal always looks good in The Good Life and in Rosemary & Thyme. Even covered in pig muck/soil.

I think Andi Oliver dresses beautifully on Great British Menu. Love to see her outfits as much as the food. And I love Claudia Winkleman's style.

Not a great photo but this was the outfit I loved. She seemed to float onto the court in it.

Tangent, but is MotherFatherSon worth a watch @WhatWillIWear ?

Patricia Hodge always looks very elegant. She’s very slim and has a great facial structure.