Appearing as costume choice for Halloween is usually a good litmus test as to a character’s overarching style influence and Lindsay Bluth’s “slut” tank top on Arrested Development crops up every October.
Played by the lithe and platinum-tressed Portia de Rossi, Lindsay Bluth Fünke (a.k.a. Nellie Sitwell) is the most colorful character in the Bluth clan, both in terms of fashion and personality. Unabashedly selfish, morally bankrupt (if you don’t count her activist duties) and with enough funds to keep her perpetually clad in questionable designer wear: in other words, fabulous.
The show has its fair share of fashion moments since its first inception in 2003, like Tobias’ never-nudes, Lucille’s Jackie-O suits and Gob’s magic costumes, injecting humor into the costuming as much as the plot and dialogue. Lindsey was like the nouveau riche Barbie doll you always wanted to play with. Taste and discretion were things best left to the common folk, and Lindsay knew how to show off her best assets. She always dressed for the occasion, whether it was wispy slip dresses, power fur or a Shemale top, she knew how to get what she wanted through the use of creative dressing.
As for accessories, her hair was the best one she had. Her blond, tumbling curls accentuated every outfit or could be pulled back in a sleek faux-hawk if she really meant business. She often complained about being judged for her looks and other pretty person problems, but when it came to dressing for prison visits or marriage counseling, Lindsay pulled out all the stops.
The prototype for what would soon be known as the “cool mom,” Lindsay never let the responsibility of parenting or balancing a checkbook get in the way of her shopping choices. Just like her love of nature was never an issue when it came to wearing ostrich-skin boots. Her signature ensembles even earned Arrested Development costume designer Katie Sparks a nomination from the Costume Designers Guild of America.
While Portia de Rossi’s updated face has been distracting in the rebooted Netflix season, the “essence” of Lindsay has still remained intact. She could just as easily play a convincing escort, whether it be 2003 or 2013.
