One of my favorite characters in Twin Peaks is Windom Earle as played by Kenneth Welsh. Known for his many costume changes late in season two, i loved his portrayal of Agent Cooper’s former partner. For this Costuming Peaks article, I’m taking a deep dive into Earle’s many outfits (faux mustache not required).
COSTUMING TEAM FOR WINDOM EARLE IN SEASON TWO
Costume Designer Sara Markowitz and Costume Supervisor Laurie L. Hudson took over costuming duties from Patricia Norris in the first two seasons. By Episode 2014, Windom’s first on-screen appearance, Sara received top billing with her name appearing larger than others.
Markowitz, whose other credits include Coyote Ugly, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and The Big Bang Theory, shared her thoughts about costume design in Brad Dukes’ “Reflections: An Oral History of Twin Peaks.”
“Costume design is not what is in ‘Vogue’ magazine. It is about the psychology of the character, not unlike someone’s home or office environment which is a reflection of who they are and I believe clothing is no different.”
EPISODE 2014
While Agent Earle is first mentioned by Agent Rosenfield as early as Episode 2002, we don’t see Windom on screen until Episode 2014. Our first look is hidden in the shadows.
As Windom introduces himself to a bruised Leo Johnson, we see his signature outfit, probably leftover from his time at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Look careful and you’ll spot an American Flag lapel pin, not much different than the pins that Gordon Cole or Dale Cooper wear on their lapels.
Because of his on-screen introduction, Earle was featured in this ABC Publicity photo which is from The Mauve Zone.
The scene ends with Windom’s hands by a chess board. He appears to be sporting a gold wedding band, which will be replaced with a different ring a few episodes later.
EPISODE 2015
Agent Albert Rosenfield returns to Twin Peaks at Gordon Cole’s direction to warn Agent Cooper about Windom Earle. He shares a headshot along with other details of his nefarious acts.
I cropped and adjusted the photo to get a more proper headshot. Gosh, that necktie looks familiar. I wonder if it was recycled from a different costume.
Around his cabin in the woods, Windom wears flapjack pajamas, a cross between a union suit and a onesie complete with a button flap for his backside.
Windom clearly loves comfort as he plays a flute to wake Leo Johnson.
Another look at his flapjack pajamas after he pounces on Leo.
We also get a look at his “military-style” watch which he pretty much wears throughout his appearances. It might have a green band and it’s begging to be identified in another article.
By the end of Episode 2015, we get the first of several disguises. Windom’s reflection is seen in a broken mirror (symbolism?) as he attaches faux eyebrows and mustache.
He then helps Leo Johnson transcribe “pretty words for pretty girls.”
A great look at the back of his over-the-top plaid suit.
Lovestruck Dale Cooper misses Windom Earle while waiting for an elevator at The Great Northern Hotel.
That suit! We get a fantastic look as Windom approaches the camera.
More details and a better look at the thickness of those eyeglasses are seen when Windom stops at the front desk.
EPISODE 2016
It’s trucker Earle! For Episode 2016, Earle, surprisingly, only wears this outfit. He sports a flannel shirt and puffer vest at the Double R Diner.
As he turns to leave, we see his C-DM trucker hat.
A full look at Trucker Earle later in Episode 2016 when he speaks with Leo Johnson outside. Nice cuffed jeans, Windom.
Windom loves layering. In this case, he is sporting four tops – an undershirt, navy waffle knit pullover, plaid flannel and a puffer vest. How cold is it in Twin Peaks?
Brother Jerry Horne from Twin Peaks Archive first reported on Windom’s cap in December 2007 (!!). He said: “Windom’s cap is by Courtwright Diesel and Machine. There is one in Tacoma Washington at 1601 E Bay St, Tacoma, WA 98421.” It’s definitely on my list of things to find one day.
EPISODE 2017
Leo Johnson fetches brown slippers for a more casual Windom Earle in Episode 2017. He’s still wearing the onesie under his unbuttoned dress shirt.
We get a slightly better look at the patterned dress shirt as Earle moves a chess piece.
We also finally get a closer look at Earle’s ring. It looks different than the gold wedding band seen a few episodes earlier.
With another faux mustache, Windom Earle shows up at the Hayward’s house dressed as Dr. Gerald Craig.
He tells Donna that he is her father’s old colleague.
Lots of layers again for Mr. Earle – shirt, suit jacket, overcoat.
Later on, Earle returns to the Double R Diner as a biker. I love this outfit so much with nods to Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
He is wearing a Harley-themed bandana and t-shirt. I also like how he added fake tattoos including a spider under is left eye (a nod to things coming for Leo), a bee on his left hand, and a yellow rose being stabbed by a knife on his left forearm. There is another floral design on his right forearm but it’s difficult to discern the design. The silver necklace Earle is wearing will appear again in another episode.
EPISODE 2018
More onesie action is found in Episode 2018 as Windom and Leo play cards.
The onesie is paired with a gray cardigan sweater which we will see again in a moment. Notice Earle is still wearing the necklace he wore as a biker.
More looks at the sweater combination as Earle lays out cards.
That sweater is found at the Twin Peaks library when he encounters Audrey Horne dressed as Professor Edward Perkins
Professor bowtie and pipe action. Pay attention to that pipe as it will appear again.
The medium shots of Audrey and Earle give a better look at this pants.
And again … Earle loves layering – dress shirt, V-neck sweater and cardigan.
By the end of Episode 2018, Earle has changed again. This time, it’s the puffer vest and plaid shirt from Episode 2016 (no CD-M trucker hat though).
Additional looks at the puffer vest and flannel shirt as Earle uncovers the mysteries of Owl Cave.
EPISODE 2019
Windom is back to his black suit and tie when he speaks of white lodges and black lodges with Rusty Tomasky and Leo Johnson. He’s also smoking the pipe he used while dressed as a professor.
The artist named Earle is seen in Episode 2019 as he dons a green apron and bandana.
He wears this attire while encasing rocker Rusty Tomasky inside a giant black pawn before killing him with a crossbow.
As Earle preps his crossbow, we catch a glimpse of the bottom of his shoes.
My wife Katie thinks the printed words on the sole say “Flex Grip” or something like that phrase. We couldn’t find an exact match for his shoe but this is a great clue.
Fisherman Earle closes out his appearance in Episode 2019 as he watches Cooper and Annie enjoy their “nature study.”
You may recall I discussed Earle’s Saf-T-Bak fishing vest in this article from 2018.
EPISODE 2020
Major Briggs shares a video of Earle from his time with Project Bluebook.
We never get a full look at this outfit but he appears to be wearing a white dress shirt, black tie (perhaps with stripes) and white lab coat.
How I wish I could see his full outfit or where they shot this specific video.
Also in Episode 2020, Earle listens in on the conversation between law enforcement.
He’s back in black … suit that is but wearing a black mock turtle neck.
Here’s a full look at his outfit from Episode 2020.
With Leo in tow, Earle approaches Major Briggs dressed as a horse.
A better look at the makeshift costume complete with costume horse head.
Cutouts in the front allow Windom to shoot Major Briggs with a tranquilizer.
I wonder where this horse head is now. Probably long gone.
Earle with the horse head on…
And Earle without the horse head.
Back at Windom’s cabin, he interrogates Briggs while dressed in his black suit.
A slightly closer look at Earle’s jacket.
At the end of Episode 2020, Earle is still wearing his black suit. It looks like part of that horse costume is in the background.
EPISODE 2021
Upon returning to the cabin in Episode 2021, Earle discovers Leo has freed Major Briggs. After holding up a cloth bag, Earle’s white-dusted face changes to a menacing look, complete with black mouth.
Richard Beymer (who played Benjamin Horne) captured some outstanding photos during the final days of Twin Peaks. The Mauve Zone had this treasure of Kenneth Welsh holding up prints of his look in the previous image. Amazing!
Earle must have cleaned off his face for scenes later in Episode 2021.
This shot is particularly unique as it provides a great look at the mustard stain on Earle’s dress shirt. We will see that stain again so keep watch. Did he eat hot dogs at some point?
A great look at Earle’s belt and tie. It’s important to note that his tie is black but has maroon / purple streaks in it. We’ll see better looks in a few.
Now on to the Miss Twin Peaks Contest. Windom has dressed like the Log Lady, Margaret Lanterman. I was so tempted to dress like this during the Fayetteville Comic Show on March 1, 2020.
As Earle crawls along the catwalk, we can see he is wearing hiking boots.
We see the full outfit in better lighting after the lights go out on stage and are replaced with flashing strobes.
Strangely, this image of Earle is reversed during the episode when he activates the detonator (notice the brooch is on the opposite site).
Speaking of that brooch, I want to find it! Looks to be owl-themed.
EPISODE 2022
Somewhere after capturing newly crowned Annie Blackburn, Earle has time to change back into his black suit and tie.
This publicity photo from Episode 2022 shows Annie and Earle in Glastonbury Grove (as detailed in this film location article).
The couple enters through the red drapes and disappears into the Black Lodge.
We catch a glimpse of Earle when Cooper encounters doppelgänger Laura screaming in his face. I liked this reversed image of Earle which appears to be from later in the episode.
More amazing behind-the-scenes images with Kenneth Welsh from The Mauve Zone. More of Richard Beymer’s handiwork.
Cooper soon encounters Earle in one of the red draped-lined rooms.
Like Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes, Earle and Cooper come fact to face.
Backstage, Kenneth Welsh and Kyle MacLachlan were all smiles.
Heck, Welsh was all smiles with everyone backstage including Ray Wise. Notice the mustard stain on the shirt really pops in this image.
And even smiles with Caroline Earle (played by Brenda Reed, or Brenda E. Mathers at time of filming) who Earle kills off screen before arriving in Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks Archive shared this incredible photo of Welsh and Reed in an August 2007 interview. You can really see the details on Earle’s black and purple tie.
Stabbing Cooper! Richard Beymer’s behind-the-scenes shot show just how distressed Earle’s jacket was in the show.
The purple and black tie are more clear in the scene with Killer BOB (Frank Silva). I always thought his tie was black until I researched this article.
This is such a cool special effect and Welsh does an outstanding job.
I’m guessing there was a fire can behind him to make this effect happen (definitely wasn’t CGI).
Earle’s jacket appears quite dusty and his shirt is more of a grayish-blue versus all gray.
More details of Earle’s attire are spotted in Beymer’s work. Plus this image is just fantastic!
The Mauve Zone also had this continuity Polaroid labeled “Windom Dead.” In the scene we don’t see Windom on the floor. You can really see the mustard this time.
Beymer also had this shot with Welsh on the floor complete with “doppelgänger” contacts. I wonder if this means more footage of him appears like this. Alas, another Missing Piece.
I close this extensive review of Windom Earle’s outfits with two more behind-the-scenes images. Thank you to The Mauve Zone for hosting them and to Richard Beymer for capturing a slice of Twin Peaks history.
