Warning! Spoilers for the Frasier reboot.
Summary
- Frasier Crane's new wardrobe in the Frasier reboot has sparked controversy among fans, with many criticizing his more casual and relaxed style compared to his previous impeccably tailored outfits.
- Costume designer Lori Eskowitz-Carter defends Frasier's new clothes, explaining that they are actually expensive and luxurious items from high-end brands, tailored to perfection. Despite the visual differences, they still reflect Frasier's expensive taste.
- Frasier's new style is narratively significant, symbolizing his personal growth and becoming more like his father. It also helps him connect with a younger audience and aligns with his goal of repairing his relationship with his son.
Kelsey Grammer is great as ever as Frasier Crane in the Frasier reboot, but his new clothes have been quite divisive. From the moment he was introduced in Cheers season 3, it was clear that Frasier Crane has impeccable taste. He wore tailored suits, even when would just drink beer at Sam's pub. When he moved back to Seattle in his own series, his aesthetic was further established, with the radiotherapist usually sporting perfectly-coordinated outfits. Intriguingly, somehow, he doesn't have the same sartorial sense 19 years later in the Frasier reboot.
Frasier's return to Boston is motivated by wanting to fix his tumultuous relationship with his grown-up son, Freddy. While he's already so much richer since his days working at KACL thanks to his gig as a TV host in Chicago, he still wants to work. He takes on a teaching job at Harvard, thinking that it's a great way to help develop the next generation of great thinkers. Despite Frasier's increased wealth and a more formal place of employment, his choice of clothing has geared towards more casual compared to his previous show outings. Understandably, this has resulted in criticisms from those who have been following the character for decades.
Frasier's Reboot Clothes Are Very Different To The Original Show
In the Frasier reboot pilot episodes, it's clear that Frasier is dressing down, although it's uncertain why. Gone were his days wearing a three-piece suit with Italian leather loafers on a regular basis. Instead, he replaces those items with sports jackets, plaid shirts (no tie), and sneakers. He even wears a shacket and carries a backpack (albeit a leather variation). Frasier's look for the reboot has garnered backlash from fans, citing that the posh therapist would never wear those articles of clothing, or at least not style them the way he does in the new show.
Costume designer Lori Eskowitz-Carter has explained Frasier's divisive new wardrobe, saying that the character is actually wearing very expensive clothes. She points out that his jeans are personally tailored and all of his other garments are luxury goods, bought from brands such as Brioni and Brunello Cucinelli to name a few. So while they look different, they still fit Frasier's expensive taste. Still, considering how much they are alike, it's curious what Niles would think of his brother's new look. The younger Crane is snootier than Frasier, so he may not be a fan of the visual refresh.
Why Frasier's New Costumes Actually Make Sense For The Reboot
Narratively, however, it makes sense that Frasier is dressing down. His new relaxed style is a visual representation that he is becoming more like his father. The plaid shirts are a direct lift from Martin's wardrobe in the original show. Meanwhile, Frasier opting for more comfortable clothes is symbolic of his growth as a person. He now chooses more practical ensembles rather than wearing something that may look better but requires too much work. In addition to that, a more modern wardrobe is beneficial to his attempt to appeal to a younger demographic in the Frasier reboot, which includes his son and students.
The Frasier reboot airs new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.