The Best Looks From The Shards Episode 8: Hamlet

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The latest episode of Ryan Murphy’s hit series The Shards is a bit chaotic, and more than a little heavy-handed, but that’s part of the fun with a show like this. That and the fabulous ’80s costumes that have been so tenderly curated by designers Lou Eyrich and Joshua Marsh. Don’t worry, though. NO SPOILERS AHEAD. Just a bunch of 80s glamour in dimly lit restaurant booths cloaked in wafting cigarette smoke. God, remember when you could smoke in restaurants? Me neither. 

The episode opens with Bret and the gang playing a truly tasteless and cruel game of “secret ballot” while wearing their signature ’80s best.

Thom, once again, looks like he just stepped out of a J.Crew catalog shoot with the Harvard lacrosse team in a deep-v sweater over a white popped-collar turtleneck.

The Shards, Episode 8

Then there’s Susan looking like the second coming of Betty Draper on her way to the stables.

The Shards, Episode 8

Debbie’s off-the-shoulder top is doubtless paired with the world’s tightest, glossiest high-waited pants below the table. Perhaps she’s road testing a new look for the next episode of Dance Off?

The Shards, Episode 8

Robert Mallory looks creepy/sexy as always in a black shirt unbuttoned to his sternum.

The Shards, Episode 8

And then there’s Bret making a late and dramatic entrance to the game in the exact leather jacket worn by Matthew Broderick in 1986’s Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. And, honestly, he’s kind of giving Ferris a run for his money.

The Shards, Episode 8

The gang’s English teacher has a trio of solid ’80s work lewks throughout the episode, both with and without (obvious) shoulder pads.

Susan and Thom’s dips into Shakespearean dress are grand, but the styling in this scene is as on the nose as the writing, which is to say very.

Steven returns in a fabulous red leather ensemble with gold leather piping that looks like it must have been waiting for decades in the catacombs of some obscure fashion archive for this exact moment. There’s certainly something very devilish about Steven, especially the way Jordan Roth plays him with such delicious unhurriedness, so the red leather is, once again, very on the nose. But fabulously so.

And then there’s Liz looking glamorous as ever. Fabulous neckline. And you can see a sort of mommy-and me thing happening between her and Debbie. Their inevitable showdown is sure to be epic!

The Shards, Episode 8

Steven as Lady Macbeth feels a little “granny get your crown on” with that boat neck and heavy embellishment. The crown is great, though.

The Shards, Episode 8

And Liz as Macbeth looks more like Little Lord Fauntleroy thanks to her signature blonde bob. An evil Little Lord Fauntleroy, but still.

The Shards, Episode 8

Robert Mallory’s aunt matching her pearls to her top is kind of great, although the hair feels a little tortured.

The Shards, Episode 8

And is that a henley turtleneck? We’re not sure we’ve ever seen one of those before, but Bret is certainly making it work. Then again, Bret always looks good. What can we say? The boy can dress.

The Shards, Episode 8

What is a boy to wear to a meeting with the gay ’80s Harvey Weinstein, though? A blazer feels too formal, but the loosely knotted knit tie does give it a slightly more casual feel. Not as casual as what Terry wears, but, then Bret did have to actually appear in public before arriving at the meeting.

The Shards, Episode 8

This silk robe on Terry really is wonderfully gross.

The Shards, Episode 8

And finally, we have Robert Mallory back in his leather pants, this time paired with a white button down in what may just be his sexiest look yet. Totally killer.

The Shards, Episode 8