Style Story: Rosie & Marisol from DEVIOUS MAIDS

One of the shows I’ve most enjoyed this summer is Devious Maids. When I reviewed the first three episodes in June, I was hooked by “a terrific cast, an intriguing mystery, and a glimpse inside the world of the rich and famous,” and the series has continued to deliver throughout the season.

As we’ve come to know the characters, I’ve been intrigued by how wardrobe reflects and informs the viewer about their personalities. Carmen, Zoila, and Valentina have been primarily confined to uniforms so far, with a couple of off-duty looks or a cardigan for interest. Marisol and Rosie are the two whose personal style has been most visible this season, and they are complete opposites.

Rosie’s style is young and casual, with lots of knit tops paired with jeans and sneakers. Her color palette consists of sunny yellows, cheerful oranges, lush greens, and rosy raspberries; she’s a tropical fruit salad in sartorial form! While Rosie’s tops are fairly plain – a lovely color with a bit of detail – they all display her figure to advantage, without really flaunting it. Her girl-next-door style is easily accessible and, aside from a couple of expensive pieces used at the beginning of the season, reflect her financial status as a single mother working to save money to bring her son to America.

By contrast, Marisol’s style is much more tailored and expensive. At first I wondered if her wardrobe would be a dead giveaway that she wasn’t really a maid, but apparently maids in Beverly Hills are often wear silk to mop the floors, so her cover hasn’t been blown. Except by that former student in the supermarket, but that had nothing to do with her wardrobe. Marisol seems to prefer the cool end of the color spectrum, frequently wearing blues and purples with the occasional red or pink item. She’s almost always in pants, unless she’s serving at a more formal affair, and wears understated tops that are flattering but not formfitting. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marisol wore some of these outfits to teach in at her real job.

Which Maids’ style do you prefer?