 YES. Amy Poehler dressed as Leslie Knope (with Aubrey Plaza). Image via: Buzzfeed.com |  NO. Amy Poehler at the 2013 Emmys. Image via: Buzzfeed.com |
First of all, let's just take a second to celebrate the fact that Parks and Recreation is back in all its hilarity. And now, let's talk about the fact that Amy Poehler needs some serious style Rx from her TV persona*, and it occurred to me during the season 6 premiere. Amy Poehler has gone on record saying that Leslie Knope has been her favorite character to play, so it's not out of the question that she could gain some influence from more than just her fictional personality. Plus, Amy's the best, and her public appearance outfits should match. It's not asking a ton, it's not like Leslie Knope is Blair Waldorf or anything.
In the first episode of the season, Leslie attends an awards gala where she wears a form fitting short sleeved dress with figure flattering green detailing along the side, a la celeb fave Stella McCartney (editor's note: turns out the dress she wears on screen is also Stella. We'll suspend disbelief based on price and the fact that Leslie would not be able to afford this in Pawnee world.). You can see a more unflattering paparazzi shot of said dress above. Poehler looks great as Leslie in this episode wearing it with a small, long-strapped bag. After seeing herself in this success of an outfit, I wonder where she even got the idea that her Emmy dress this year (also above, right) was in any way okay. It was weird and ill fitting and it made me sad.
Amy doesn't always get it totally wrong when it comes to red carpets, though.
In the first episode of the season, Leslie attends an awards gala where she wears a form fitting short sleeved dress with figure flattering green detailing along the side, a la celeb fave Stella McCartney (editor's note: turns out the dress she wears on screen is also Stella. We'll suspend disbelief based on price and the fact that Leslie would not be able to afford this in Pawnee world.). You can see a more unflattering paparazzi shot of said dress above. Poehler looks great as Leslie in this episode wearing it with a small, long-strapped bag. After seeing herself in this success of an outfit, I wonder where she even got the idea that her Emmy dress this year (also above, right) was in any way okay. It was weird and ill fitting and it made me sad.
Amy doesn't always get it totally wrong when it comes to red carpets, though.
 Image via: Buzzfeed.com |  Image via: TheFashionisette.com |  Image via: TheHollywoodReporter.com |
Here we have three examples of Amy doing okay. The photo on the left comes from the Time 100 gala, and it's one of my favorite red carpet looks of hers. It's simple, fits well, put with good shoes, and really works. I believe the middle image is from the SAG awards, and it's not my favorite, but it's pretty flattering with hard to see detailing that makes the dress appear flattering whether it is or not, much like her dress in the Parks and Rec episode. The image on the right comes from the White House Correspondents Dinner, and I applaud her effort to get trendy, and I think it works, even if it could maybe be a bit more flattering. Especially considering other choices she's made, this was a success. So that brings us to the issue: does she just choke when it comes to big awards shows? Let's have a look.
 Image via: Gawker.com |  Image via: IHaveADegreeInThis.com |  Image via: Celebitchy.com |  Image via: MyDaily.co.uk |
Okay so, admittedly, the dresses themselves don't necessarily belong on any worst dressed lists, but they don't really do her justice, either. The color on the left, from a very previous Emmys is not great with her skin tone, and the fit is very meh. It all looks very hasty. The middle left, from last year's Emmys is a little too long, doesn't fit her boobs and doesn't flatter her waist at all. The dress itself could have been a pretty glamorous red carpet moment, but fit is ultimately everything, and this was a miss. We have her Golden Globes 2013 arrival on the middle right. Again, it's not terrrrible, and I appreciate the risk of the suit, but the chest area isn't fitting right, the pant length is off, and with the shoes and the necklace it's all very...a lot. She's too short for this look. And my most okay of the bunch is on the right, from the 2011 Emmys. Maybe it's in comparison with the rest because I very much did not like this when I saw it live. I think it's more flattering in photos than it was on video. It's still just okay, it doesn't really seem like the right choice for her, but I guess I applaud the risk and going for something unique. But fit, ugh.
We're not asking her to wear Leslie's many rather unfortunate pant suits out on the town, but we should also advise not to try versions of them at home...or maybe to try harder?
We're not asking her to wear Leslie's many rather unfortunate pant suits out on the town, but we should also advise not to try versions of them at home...or maybe to try harder?
 Image via: Buzzfeed.com |  Image via: Buzzfeed.com |
Again, nice effort, I see what she's getting at, but they're just off. As of earlier this year, Fashionista reported on The Hollywood Reporter's most powerful stylists and listed Amy as a client to one of the teams on the list. I have to wonder if the partnership is a repeated thing, a heavily used resource or what, because it seems she needs an upgrade in sartorial counseling. I mean, even her fictional wedding dress beats out so many things she's worn as her real self. Take note, Amy!
Ahh, well fitting, unique, flattering. Perfection! Leslie Knope on her wedding day in season 5. Image via: EW.com
Amy, you are one of my dream BFFs, so I'm giving you the same treatment I would a real BFF. It would make me so happy if your real life outfits didn't make me so sad. So much potential! And remember:
Image via: NBC.com
and you can, too!
-E
*Shoutout to Kirston Leigh Mann, costume designer for Parks and Recreation (or so is listed on IMDB).
**Also how amazing are Amy and Aubrey Plaza as real life BFFs?
-E
*Shoutout to Kirston Leigh Mann, costume designer for Parks and Recreation (or so is listed on IMDB).
**Also how amazing are Amy and Aubrey Plaza as real life BFFs?
