Illya's New Clothes...

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Unlike the Emperor we can't enjoy the Russian strutting his stuff in invisible clothes, but we can still appreciate the view.  Over in the canteen there's a discussion about his ties, which got me to thinking about his wardrobe in general. Of course I'm the one person who actually doesn't pooh pooh the Return Movie concept of Kuryakin somehow morphing into a designer.  I have stories to prove it.
I think it's interesting that people have gone along with the idea that Illya was not as well dressed as his partner.  While he did show up in the black ensemble quite a lot (trousers, turtleneck and jacket), he also wore some pretty expensive suits, just like Napoleon did.  I don't think it was ever intended that he be a cheapskate when it came to clothing, even if we do have David McCallum's account of throwing the turtleneck on over his white shirt, just to make things easier.
Case in point:  Illya has at least two tuxedos.  I offer as proof these photographs of him wearing the two distinctly different tuxes.  One has satin lapels while the other does not.  I choose to believe that they are his, because it would be unlikely his clothes fit any of the other more filled out agents.  Our Russian is lithe and lean.
The Deadly Games Affair... the shawl collar.
The THRUSH Roulette Affair.  This seems to be new in the 4th season.
The THRUSH Roulette Affair - notice the notched lapel/collar. And it looks like satin.
The Shark Affair... a shawl collar
The Alexander The Greater Affair. A shawl collar, no notches.  Brushed wool or velveteen. And of course the ruffled shirt.

Comments

[fiorenza-a.livejournal.com]

My thoughts on the matter of Illya's wardrobe are more subtle, it's my belief not that his clothes are of a lesser quality than Napoleon's, but more that Illya cares less about them.

Illya simply doesn't love his clothes the way Napoleon does. I think Illya cares about the way he looks, but is happy so long as the look is presentable.

So if he can keep one suit clean for a week, he'll wear it for a week - but it'll be a nice suit.

Whereas Napoleon seems to need to ring the changes.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

The fabulous thing about not knowing for certain is that we can imagine whatever suits us. I do think Illya is less obviously vain, although his hair is something he isn't likely to change. That would be an interesting study as to his unyielding stance on the subject.

[redqueen88.livejournal.com]

Speaking of his hair - I've been re-watching the series and I love the way his hair moves in the action sequences. I'd not really noticed it before. He really is poetry in motion with the lithe body and silky hair.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Yes, he definitely is all that :D