After a new Doctor is announced, the next big thing is to find out what the costume will be like. It's the first hint as to how the actor will play the role. Earlier today, the BBC released the first image of the new Doctor in costume. This is what she will look like in the upcoming series...
I have to admit that I wasn't sure about the costume when I first saw it. I think this was because I was expecting the new costume to be sombre, more like what Jodie wore in her introduction clip. This more lighter, more colourful costume through me off. . However, the more I looked at this costume, the more it grew on me. I'm now positive about it than I was at first glance.
The individual components are somewhat similar to those worn by previous Doctors. The braces and high trousers are somewhat similar to the kind worn by Patrick Troughton. Boots and coats are common parts of many Doctor's costumes although this coat includes a hood. The most significant difference is the earrings which none of the male Doctors ever wore. The only problem I have is that her exposed ankles and neck may feel uncomfortable if she is filming exterior scenes in a cold Cardiff winter. These elements may be rectified if the series goes on or else she'll need to wrap up warmly between takes.
While I was initially put off by the bright colours, they work as a contrast to the more sombre clothing that Peter Capaldi's Doctor wore. Fans on twitter have pointed out that the striped top and suspenders combination is similar to what Robin Williams wore in Mork and Mindy. It also recalls the more colourful costumes worn by Tom Baker and Colin Baker This costume, at least, is not as garish as the Sixth Doctor's patchwork coat. Indeed, the lighter coat had me thinking of the one Peter Davison wore.
Together, the combination of items and colours makes this costume look like it was thrown together s like Tom Baker's Season 12 costume or Matt Smith's Season 5 costume. It's a change from the Howard Burden designs which, while nice to look at, always felt a little too streamlined and put together. I like it. It may suggest that this new Doctor, or new show, will be brighter and bolder.
It's nice that the new costume is shown off with a background image. It may be photoshopped but I prefer it to the bland white backgrounds which were common for character images in the Peter Capaldi era. Also in shot is a Tardis which some have speculated to be the new prop. If so it's not bad. The blue is quite faded but that might just be because of the grading on the picture. I quite like the white text on blue background although it's a pity the text is not like other police boxes. Still, while it may not look like a metropolitan police box but none of the others have.
The fact that the costume has been revealed suggests that filming has either started or is about to start The new era seems to be underway.
