It’s okay to have your mind on Shelly Johnson for a moment when reading this Costuming Peaks. I’m examining the outfits worn by the talented Mädchen Amick in Season 1 of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks.
COSTUMING TEAM FOR SHELLY JOHNSON IN TWIN PEAKS
For starters, let’s give a shout out to the late Patricia Norris who served as the Costume Designer for the Pilot Episode. She was was joined by Earl Lewis as Key Costumer and Ron Leamon as Wardrobe Supervisor. Sarah Markowitz took over costuming duties for Seasons 1 and 2 with Laurie L Hudson as the Costume Supervisor. They both helped establish as classic look for Shelly with a few pieces carrying over from the Pilot Episode to the remainder of the series.
SHELLY JOHNSON’S COSTUMES IN TWIN PEAKS
PILOT EPISODE
We’re first introduced to Double R Diner waitress Shelly Johnson during the Pilot Episode. Secret lover Bobby Briggs offers to give her a ride home since he is on the way to football practice. Shelly grabs her vintage plaid jacket as she packs up to leave.
When the camera cuts to a wide angle shot in the diner, we see more of Shelly’s blue and white uniform. I wonder if this was a two camera set up as they way she is holding her jacket looks nearly the same as her closeup.
One thing that is noticeably missing is her waitress uniform headband. A publicity shot shows her wearing it but we don’t see it in the broadcast version. I wonder if there was an alternate take with her wearing it. If you are a fan of this headband, just wait – it comes back often throughout the series.
She is wearing the plaid jacket as Bobby and her leave the diner.
As Shelly walks to Bobby’s car, we get a good look at the back of the jacket.
While watching the news at home, we see Shelly sport a black and gray robe.
As Leo “Creme de Menthe” Johnson berates Shelly about cigarettes, we see the robe is covering her blue waitress uniform.
This close up shot gives us a peek at the robe and details on the uniform.
I love this outtake publicity shot from this scene as we get a better look at the outfit. This scene is the last we’ll see of Shelly until Episode 1001.
EPISODE 1001
Toward the beginning of Episode 1001, Shelly crosses her front yard toward Leo’s truck wearing her blue waitress uniform covered by a bright turquoise jacket with red and black piping and details.
The coat appears vintage and we can see even more details of the piping in this close up shot.
A full look at her outfit is seen when she heads to the outside washing machine to do Leo’s laundry. A washing machine outside? Yeah, you know Leo.
Another look at Shelly’s exquisite vintage jacket!
The headband makes its first appearance when Special Agent Dale Cooper is introduced to Shelly at the Double R Diner.
By the time she gets home with pie for her husband Leo, the headband is gone but the vintage jacket returns.
EPISODE 1002
I loved seeing the same robe from the Pilot Episode return for the series. Shelly is wearing it over leggings in Episode 1002 as she recovers from being violently beat by her husband.
EPISODE 1003
During Laura Palmer’s funeral in Episode 1003, Shelly is wearing a completely different overcoat.
As Reverend Clarence Brocklehurst offers comforting words about Laura, we catch a look at Shelly’s new jacket.
This publicity shot from The Mauve Zone also gives a better look at the jacket. I wonder why it changed again.
Later that night at the Double R Diner, Shelly retells her experience at Laura’ funeral while sporting that waitress uniform headband.
The same jacket that Shelly wore to Laura’s funeral earlier in the episode is seen when she returns home from work.
Shelly’s funeral jacket also makes an appearance in this publicity shot from Season 1.
EPISODE 1004
Shelly and Bobby are seen sharing an intimate moment in Episode 1004.
More details of her Double R Diner uniform are seen when she retrieves Leo’s blood-soaked shirt and her gun.
Definitely a revealing look for Shelly as she asks Bobby to teach her how to use the handgun.
As Shelly returns to the diner later in the episode, she is again wearing that amazing vintage jacket seen in Episode 1001.
Notice no headband when Shelly tells Norma about Leo’s behavior.
The headband returns later on when Norma Jennings learns that her husband Hank got parole.
EPISODE 1005
The robe returns in Episode 1005 as Shelly cooks breakfast for Bobby.
As the lovers discuss, we get a half-body look at the Shelly’s robe. She will continue wearing the robe throughout the scene when Deputy Andy Brennan makes a house call looking for Leo.
Following a day of beauty, Norma and Shelly return to the Double R Diner complete with stylish updos and freshly painted nails.
Based on their attire (particularly Norma’s scarf), this publicity shot from TThe Mauve Zone may have been taken around the time this episode was shot.
Shelly looks on toward Norma and Hank.
The blue leggings and robe from Episode 1002 return at the end of Episode 1005 as Shelly shoots Leo in their kitchen.
EPISODE 1006
She is still wearing the same outfit from Episode 1005 during the first part of Episode 1006. It’s the morning after shooting Leo so this makes sense.
When the paroled Hank Jennings tells stories to Shelly during her shift at the Double R Diner, we see she is wearing the iconic headband again.
She’ll greet Agent Cooper and Sheriff Truman during her shift in Episode 1006.
We get a fantastic look at the back of Shelly’s waitress uniform as she fetches coffee for the law enforcement team.
More details of the uniform as she returns to the counter with two cups of hot, black coffee.
EPISODE 1007
In the season finale, Shelly prepares to wash her hair in the kitchen sink while sporting an oversized gray sweatshirt and sweatpants.
The sweatshirt has such a 1980s vibe.
If you are going to dress as Shelly Johnson from this episode, make sure you get a blue neckerchief to use as a gag.
Shelly is all tied up in the drying shed at the Packard Sawmill.
The final appearance of Shelly in Season 1 shows the back of her gray sweatsuit as she is running through the flames with Catherine Martell.
Stay tuned for a look at Shelly’s costumes in Seasons 2 and 3, with a little nod to Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.
Just here to mention that the vintage plaid jacket Shelly wears in the pilot looks to be a Pendleton 49er. Loving all your costume and prop content, it’s great!