The first time I saw this dress, I screamed. And I still scream every time I see it. It’s a shame that we only get this one for maybe thirty seconds, because I think this dress in particular speaks volumes. First, for as “Victorian goth” as Sally is, this is one of the few all-black dresses that we see her in. And even though it seems nice and thick and velvet, it still has the delicacy of lace trimming the collar, sleeves, and short hemline. This is a dress that shifts and morphs as your eyes move from top to bottom, constantly surprising and embodying Sally so perfectly. (I also think it’s interesting that this is the dress she chooses to wear in her last desperate attempt to convince John to stay at the hotel, but I digress.)
Ohhhh this flower dress. Excuse me while I go swoon for the next three weeks. Here we go again with the pattern that doesn't necessarily match her normal aesthetic. But just like her other flower dress, the high neck and the long sleeves and the bunched fabric at the shoulders somehow pulls it all back into character and it works. And let’s not forget the mismatched earrings and the signature rings. All that’s missing is her cameo, but I think this one is stunningly Sally without it.
Little Black Dress 2.0. This time, with extra lace and a babydoll cut. Color me not okay. I could go on and on about the lace trim around her ribcage and the buttons going down the front. But what I would like to take time to discuss on this outfit is just how disheveled she looks. This is the scene where John is realizing what is happening and what he has done, and Sally’s world is just on the brink of unravelling as she confronts the potential of losing everything that she had. Of never seeing him again. And to accentuate this, this time she has on a black (velvet?) babydoll dress, with her cameo hanging from a lace collar that’s almost too loose. Matched with her jacket (remeniscant of the velvet dress and jacket combo she wore when she was still alive), earrings mixed around, and lipstick perfect. Nothing on this outfit matches or makes sense, and I absolutely adore it.
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG IT TOOK ME TO FIND A GIF OF THIS SCENE?! We only get this blue dress for hm maybe two seconds? But we get it for two seconds twice. And lord is it powerful. Let’s start at the color. A nice, soft, baby blue. And then the matching, baby blue buttons that run a neat line down the entire front. Plus the lace. But not just lace. Ruffled lace that runs all the way up her shoulders, and the sheer coverage that stops just over her heart. The skirt of the dress goes well past her knees (presumably to the floor). And baby is snug under the covers in it, which must mean it’s soft and comfy as f*ck. I mean, could you imagine walking past her in this outfit and not dropping dead on the spot? Yeah, me neither. It’s impossible.
My, oh my. Ms. Sally McKenna. Another gold mine that they only gifted us with for a few moments. But what a gold mine, indeed. The deep v neckline, the jeweled, ruffled trim. The black choker with the black and white cameo. And those fancy-pants chandelier earrings that always make her jaw look so nice. She can pick me up at a bar any day. And she can push me up against the bar every day.
Bonus:
A nice, morning coffee look to warm your heart. But honestly, Sally in this purple robe with the full makeup would have been a gift. If only we could be so lucky.
Favorite Outfit Asks (5/?) - Sarah Paulson: Sally McKenna + Outfits That We Only See For Like Two Seconds That Are VASTLY Underrated
