Costuming Peaks – The Log Lady’s Outfits in Twin Peaks

At the Fayetteville Comic Show in Fayetteville, Arkansas, fellow Twin Peaks fans and I dressed like the Log Lady as a tribute to the late Catherine Coulson. Her performance as Margaret Lanterman, affectionately known as the “Log Lady,” is still one of the most memorable (and quoted) characters from David Lynch and Mark Frost’s series. While researching which outfit to model, I wrote this love letter to her rustic-inspired wardrobe. Here’s a look at every outfit from the Twin Peaks Pilot to publicity photos and more.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS PILOT

We first see the Log Lady as “the most beautiful woman in the state,” Josie Packard, enters the Twin Peaks Town Hall. She is standing in the back of the room by the main doors holding her log.

We get a better look when she makes the lights flicker. This is the only time we’ll see her in this particular outfit.

Once last glimpse of Margaret is seen in this brief shot of townsfolk at the meeting. Gosh, I wish I knew who some of these people are (Locals? Hired extras?). It’s one of my favorite shots from the Pilot (just look at the guy in the black bowler hat!).

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 1.001

The Log Lady returns in episode 1.001 at the Double R Diner. Cooper is eager to say “hello” after spotting her at the counter. She is wearing an iconic sweater that will appear several more times. I haven’t identified it yet (though I’m leaning toward a vintage Pendleton, as they provided several shirts for actors and actresses).

As Margaret speak with Cooper and Truman, we see more of her sweater. As she departs, she is seen carrying a coat and leather handbag. All three items will return in future episodes.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 1.003

Margaret wears the coat she was carrying in Episode 1001 to Laura Palmer’s funeral in episode 1.003. The wood brooch now pinned to her overcoat was also worn as a bolo-like necklace in the previously mentioned episode. You’ll see it many more times throughout the series.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 1.005

The law enforcement team make an unscheduled stop to Margaret’s cabin in episode 1.005. With log in arms, she greets them wearing her most iconic sweater. Notice the wood brooch is now attached to her collar.

As she serves tea to the lawmen, we get a wonderful look at the back of the sweater.

Here are additional looks at her outfit from episode 1.005, including a rare look at her shoes (which appear to be camel-colored hiking boots). This was her final appearance in Season 1.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.001

Margaret Lanterman is seen in a corner booth at the Double R Diner in episode 2.001 chewing “pitch gum” (most likely made from Spruce tree resin). She is sporting a new Pendleton Board Shirt (one of their most classic styles) with wood brooch at the collar. Look carefully to see her leather handbag and a cardigan sweater that won’t fully appear until episode 2.018.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.002

While Major Briggs enjoys coffee at the Double R Diner in episode 2.002, Margaret sits next to him at the counter. Another new outfit including another Pendleton Board Shirt and different cardigan sweater.

You can get a better look at this outfit in the official publicity photos of Catherine Coulson as the Log Lady.

There is a brief medium close-up of Margaret at the counter noticing Major Briggs’ outfit. She is wearing small ball-like earrings for this scene.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.007

My most favorite cardigan sweater returns in episode 2.007 when Margaret visits Truman and Cooper at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department.

Just look at those wooden earrings!

Margaret takes the lawmen to The Roadhouse. We see another rare look at her hiking boots.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.011

At the Milford’s wedding reception in episode 2.011, the Log Lady joins a table with Pete Martell and Dwayne Milford.

While Lana and Dougie cut the cake, we see a better look at her outfit complete with a beret.

Margaret returns to Pete and Dwayne’s table to rave about the wedding cake.

Thanks to The Mauve Zone, we have some promotional and publicity photos from episode 2.011. This image was taken by Paula K. Shimatsu-U who was a Unit Publicist, photographer, and Mark Frost’s assistant during the first two seasons of Twin Peaks.

This publicity photo provides one of the best looks of Margaret’s handbag. I’d love to find a replica of it!

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.017

Major Briggs and the Log Lady visit the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department in episode 2.017. You may recognize the Log Lady’s overcoat which hasn’t been seen since episode 1.003 at Laura Palmer’s funeral.

Margaret is wearing a Pendleton Board Shirt first seen in episode 2.002. She’s also sporting the same long, striped skirt that she wore at her cabin in episode 1.005.

When she shows Deputy Dale the tattoo on the back of her leg, we also get a better look at the detail of that long skirt.

I love this shot of all three which gives an even better look at the Log Lady’s entire outfit.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.018

The Log Lady enjoys more pie at the Double R Diner in episode 2.018. She is now wearing the cardigan sweater seen sitting next to her in episode 2.001. Notice she is also wearing a new necklace made of wood.

In this behind-the-scenes image from The Mauve Zone, David Lynch and Catherine Coulson share a laugh on set. We get a wonderful look at the Pendleton Board Shirt first seen when she was chewing pitch gum in episode 2.001.

I love her cardigan sweater in this scene. I am also guessing it could be a vintage Pendleton one.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.021

Mr. Pinkle fawns all over the Log Lady during the Miss Twin Peaks Pageant show in Episode 2021. Margaret is again wearing the wooden brooch on her label, not collar.

WINDOM EARLE AS THE LOG LADY IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.021

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Windom Earle’s Log Lady-inspired outfit in episode 2.021.

Windom hits Bobby with a log while backstage of the Miss Twin Peaks Contest.

As Earle sneaks along above the stage, we see he is even wearing camel-colored boots like Catherine.

The image above is an odd one as it’s actually reversed. The brooch he is wearing is on the opposite lapel compared to other scenes.

The last look at Windom’s outfit is seen when he grabs Annie Blackburn just after the ceremony is completed. Strangely, the next time we will see him he will be wearing his signature disheveled black suit and tie.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 2.022

For Margaret Lanterman’s final appearance in the second season, she wears the same jacket she was carrying in episode 1.001 and wore in episodes 1.003 and 2.017.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME

The same jacket reappears in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me during the Log Lady’s brief-but-moving encounter with Laura Palmer outside the Roadhouse.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN THE MISSING PIECES

There was a deleted scene of the Log Lady from David Lynch’s classic 1992 film. The Log Lady is seen sitting outside her house while wearing the same coat as the Roadhouse scene.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN THE LOG LADY INTRODUCTIONS ON BRAVO TV

For the Bravo TV broadcasts in the mid 1990s, a series of introductions hosted by the Log Lady were produced. She changes outfits several times during these brief introductions.

For the Pilot to episode 1.007, she wears her iconic sweater first seen in episode 1.001.

For episodes 2.001-2.007, she wears a different sweater and top. She continues to wear the wood brooch at her collar.

For episodes 2.008 and 2.009, Margaret wears a new plaid jacket. The maroon turtleneck, however, appears in episodes 2.001 and 2.017.

The maroon turtle neck stays in episode 2.010 but the sweater changes again.

Her favorite sweater returns for episodes 2.011 to 2.021. She even wears the same wood earrings first seen in episode 2.007.

In Episode 2021, the Log Lady gives us a better look at the log.

For the final introduction seen in episode 2.022, the overcoat returns.

As the camera slowly zooms in, we get a better look at her earrings and red glasses.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN PART 1

The Log Lady returns to the screen in Part 1 of Twin Peaks: The Return.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN PART 2

For all of her appearances, she wears the same outfit most likely the result of filming all of her scenes around the same time at her former home in Oregon.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN PART 10

It seems like she is wearing another brown cardigan and perhaps a turtle neck shirt. The outfits in Parts 11 and 15 are the same as the other episodes.

THE LOG LADY’S OUTFIT IN PUBLICITY PHOTOS FROM TWIN PEAKS

Thank you again to The Mauve Zone which posted additional publicity images of Margaret’s outfits.

This image of the Log Lady in the Double R Diner is from a recent vinyl soundtrack release. It was published backward but I’ve corrected it for this article.

This photo by Paula K. Shimatsu-U was also used on the StarPics trading cards released in the early 1990s. It appears these photos were all taken about the same time before the start of the second season.

Two shots of the Log Lady wearing costume pieces seen in the series including the wood brooch and the overcoat. The shirt (most likely from Pendleton) appears unique.

The final publicity image from The Mauve Zone shows Catherine Coulson wearing a completely unique outfit not seen in any episode.