I have just binge-watched 7 seasons of Sons of Anarchy. I would imagine the viewer demographic is more male than female, but I love Katy Sagal as Gemma Teller-Morrow. She is the wife of the Executive Producer, Kurt Sutter, who also played Otto in the series. Katy is in her sixties, yet her character, the matriarch of the biker club, was powerful, sexy and extremely attractive. They did not use camera filters on her, and if she has had surgery it was done extremely well. She does not have chocolate box pretty looks but her angular strong features make her all the more strong and sexy looking. The wardrobe Katy wears in her role as Gemma Teller-Morrow is sexy and biker/rock chick (she is a singer so she has that whole Stevie Nicks thing going), but still age appropriate and not slutty. Who says 60-year olds have to wear elastic-waist Crimplene slacks and orthopaedic shoes? The clothes Gemma wears are not extremely expensive designer duds either. She rocks Frye, Steve Madden, and Elizabeth and James boots, Citizens of Humanity, Seven and Guess jeans, and Royal Underground leather jackets (recognized by the fleur de lis charms hanging from the zipper pulls).

She carries Harley Davidson and Betsey Johnson bags quite a lot. Betsey Johnson’s Bows and Arrows bag is the one she carries the most. Her belts are always striking and really top off her outfits. Her jewellery is usually delicate and layered which adds impact without overwhelming her outfits. Nothing is ever too shiny. Her earrings are often by Lucky. One thing you can see with Gemma’s wardrobe is the importance of fit. Everything fits beautifully and suits her shape. This is one of the benefits of having a costume designer on the show. But for us lesser mortals, we can buy clothes and have them altered by a local seamstress for a perfect fit. It is often not expensive and really makes a world of difference. The Sons of Anarchy site carried copies of quite a few items of jewellery worn in the series and I was so sorry to have missed out on the big ring with the yellow stone that Gemma wears through most of the series (see photo below). They still sell the Lois Hill silver saddle ring that Gemma wears all the time, though (see below). 

Kelli Jones, the costume designer for the show, designed quite a few items for Gemma that were sold in the SOA store. You don’t notice this, but her upper arms and deep cleavage are usually covered, and she does not show much skin in places older women should keep covered (a good tip for all of us). It is so nice seeing an older woman in a big role, playing an older woman who is powerful, sexy and has a voice. Most women of a certain age are relegated to bit parts as the grandmother, but Katy owns the screen in every single episode. She wears what she wants without looking ridiculous. ‹ Charlotte’s Web stacking and spinning ringsNivea Soft for face, body and hands ›Categories: Art, Books, Movies, Television and Music, FashionStyle GemmaGemma Teller StyleGemma StylesMy StyleSoa FashionFashion LeatherSons Of Anarchy CostumesSoa CostumesSoa Halloween CostumesForward"SOA outfit" by adjani-loaiza on Polyvore - with my recent obsession with sons of anarchy, i must say.... this outfit is gemma -__- 100% gemma!

We wish you to love and be loved! Part two of our essay looking at sartorial identity in Sons of Anarchy, featuring exclusive insight from series costume designer Kelli Jones. Catch up with part 1 HERE. The women of SAMCRO include porn stars and pole dancers, but the club matriarch is Gemma played by Katey Sagal, formerly known as Peg Bundy in Married with Children. Gemma is the Queen of this world so her look is regal rock chick, “to make her look badass without looking like a slut. nike pullover hoodie jdThis sexy mama bitch doesn’t need to TRY” costume designer Kelli Jones says. russell athletic hoodie 4xlWith her background in music (she has performed with the likes of Bette Midler, Gene Simmons and Bob Dylan) Sagal’s own style has clearly influenced Gemma’s look, “from a Stevie Nicks vibe (season one and two) to more of an edgy fitted sexy glam rock star.”hoodie saurus

Gemma’s look is hugely sought-after by female fans of the show and Kelli seems to have spent much of her time in interviews explaining how to imitate it and which labels to buy, such as Guess, Seven and Citizen jeans, Frye boots and Elizabeth and James heels. Royal Underground leather jackets (a label owned by Mötley Crue’s Nikki Sixx, genuine rock royalty) have been used throughout the 6 seasons alongside various custom pieces. hoodie allen lyonGemma’s fitted leather jackets and hip belts have become such a trademark that Kelli has developed some of them for sale through FX’s website.milwaukee heated hoodie ladies Tara’s journey has taken her style from Chicago doctor to Junior Gemma and beyond, so although her workwear remains consistent throughout the show, off-duty Tara’s look becomes sexier: the more time she spends in the world of the MC the more her wardrobe reflects that with much more cleavage on show and hair and makeup to match. rainbow dash hoodie ebay

She wears a lot of grey and beige rather than Gemma’s typical black, “looking hot and strong” as Kelli says, showing “more of a Gemma vibe” but still stands out as her own woman. This image change is not for Jax’s sake; he has clearly always loved her, and intimate scenes between the two are never glamorous: we never seen Tara in Gemma-style satin robe and negligee. In season 6 her look changes again, and her makeup and clothes become plain and basic. Without the rock chick edge, her grey clothes look like she is trying to disappear into the background, reflecting her plans to escape this world. Gemma and Tara’s look is not just about being sexually appealing to their man but about their power within the club. Part of that power is their sexual allure, not just to their partner but to all of the club. Gemma’s interactions with other members of the club are often charged with physical attraction as an element of their respect for her. Just because they don’t often dare actively demonstrate that attraction doesn’t mean that it’s not part of their relationship.

Even Darby, one of the club’s enemies, is clearly attracted to her and treats her with respect: “How’s the beautiful queen of bikers?… You look real good, Gemma.” The effect on the other women of the club is not dissimilar; part of Tara’s journey in season 2 is to win respect from the women that surround the club, whether it be the Crow-Eaters or Ima the jealous porn star. It is true that women don’t really dress to please other men; if they did they’d all dress like the porn stars. Both Gemma and Tara display times when they ‘power-dress’, within the constructs of this culture. Wendy’s typical look also involves the same trademarks: plenty of cleavage, fitted leather and lots of fine chain layered jewellery. As for the porn stars, we see Lyla and Ima on and off duty and Kelli says, “For the porn stars, I get to go wild. Slutty as shit and as long as I don’t have them showing their woo has we’re all good.” It’s clearly a chance to have fun and she has items made to order or customised and even buys pieces from extras.

There’s a lot of customisation goes on in these subcultures and as a costume designer it’s obviously an enjoyable part of the process. She continues: “Their day clothes are fun too. Lyla is as white trash slutty as they come and Ima is that whore who wears Bebe leathers with short booty shorts and heels because she thinks it’s classy. We also got to see what a porn star might wear to get married to her dream outlaw biker. “Lyla’s wedding dress was my favourite! I wanted to do a white trash version of the dress from the November Rain video and I think I pulled it off.” Their costumes are sexy and funny and provide a colourful visual break from endless black leather and jeans. It’s also given Kelli some fantastic anecdotes about costuming real-life porn actresses as extras: http://youtu.be/VjU8sMKDgL8 Outside of the various lawbreaking factions who inhabit this world, we do see a few rare individuals, with some standout costumes amongst them. I have my own favourites: Elliott Oswald, legitimate local businessman, has an uneasy relationship with the outlaws but dresses like an urban cowboy in bootcut jeans and western style slim fitting shirts.

US Attorney Lincoln Potter arrives on a Triumph, a British bike, wearing a leather jacket looking similar to Belstaff’s vintage styles. At first we don’t know what to make of him: he’s a biker, but not one like the Sons. Even when we learn that he’s law enforcement, he still doesn’t quite fit into the picture, and his character fulfils that promise. Sherriff Roosevelt is always seen in uniform, but when we first see him in civilian clothes after his wife is killed we realise he is no longer morally bound by law. Retribution achieved, he is next seen wearing his badge again. Nero Padilla is introduced in season 5 and has been one of Kelli’s favourites to dress. The brothel owning former gang leader occupies an interesting place in the Charming community. Not a conventional businessman, they felt they couldn’t put him in a suit, so Jimmy Smits wears cardigans, in shades of grey, over his wife beater vest and heavily tattooed torso. The cardigan is the velvet glove over his Latino gangster iron fist;