Doctor Who: What Makes A Great Outfit?

By Paula Luther /

The Whovian world was abuzz not too long ago with the big reveal of Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor outfit (or Fourteenth Doctor...or Rebooted Doctor...I've given up trying to sort it out). Once the picture was released, reactions were mixed--some loved it; others were unimpressed. But there was one consistent reaction spread throughout the Whoniverse, and that was how people were already forming impressions and judgments on what the new Doctor would be like. We haven't seen him in action yet, and we don't even know the contents of his scripts, but already people are deciding whether or not Peter Capaldi will be a good Doctor based solely on his outfit. This is just another indicator of how strongly the Doctor's outfits impact how we perceive him. It makes sense if you think about it; after all, first impressions in everyday life are often based on how something or someone looks, so it's really no surprise that we extend this same behavior to our favorite Time Lord. In that case, what does it take for the Doctor to have a really phenomenal ensemble? What should his outfit look like and consist of so that the audience as well as the people he encounters receive a proper impression of him? The Doctor's outfits have varied greatly over the years, and some have been better than others. Despite the differences, though, a distinct pattern has emerged as to what his outfit should include in order to be memorable for all the right reasons. (Disclaimer: I am in no way impugning the awesomeness of any of the outfits contained herein, especially Four's scarf or Ten's coat. I am simply examining certain aspects and considering whether or not the outfits were a good idea or not.)