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Unleash your inner Gemstone as we delve into the wild and hilarious world of The Righteous Gemstones where comedy, religion and family drama collide. The critically acclaimed HBO series has captured our hearts with its dynamic characters, gripping storytelling and of course, its mesmerizing fashion. The show's unique costume designs have transformed alongside the characters, reflecting their growth and the ever-changing dynamics within the Gemstone family.

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Christina Flannery, the brilliant costume designer behind all of the looks in the third season of The Righteous Gemstones, has crafted a visual tapestry that pays homage to the South's megachurch culture while infusing it with contemporary flair. Her unique approach and attention to detail have given each character their own distinctive style, contributing to the overall narrative and enhancing the show's immersive world.

As the final episode of The Righteous Gemstones Season 3 approaches on Sunday, July 31st, we sat down with Flannery to celebrate the remarkable fashion journey that has accompanied the Gemstone family's wild antics. Whether you're captivated by Judy's glitzy and glamorous Gucci moments or Kelvin's Hype priest vibe, there's plenty of inspiration to explore and embrace from this stylishly satirical world.

Stream ‘The Righteous Gemstones’ on Hulu

Creating distinctive looks for the Gemstone Family

When outfitting the Gemstone family, Flannery aimed to evolve the characters' styles while maintaining a sense of familiarity from the previous seasons. She drew inspiration from ​ diverse facets of Southern fashion, seamlessly blending accessibility and wealth in with the Gemstone family's wardrobes. She also took inspiration from new storylines, such as Judy's return from tour, which added flashy elements to her wardrobe. She explains, "I wanted them to have an extra layer of pizazz and with the three siblings now taking over the church, I also wanted Eli to lean into his retirement with lots of linens and cottons. It's hot as hell in South Carolina during the summer, so these fabrics are a nice testament to that leisure lifestyle in the south." 

The costume design in The Righteous Gemstones not only adds visual splendor to the series but also contributes to the overall storytelling. Flannery emphasizes how the costumes, especially in flashback scenes and for new characters, help establish the world from which they come. Flannery shares, "To me, it's like the costumes jump from the screen and it really warms my heart to watch what we were able to pull off this season." 

The challenge of building a Righteous wardrobe

Designing costumes for a show like The Righteous Gemstones comes with its own set of challenges. Flannery desired detailed builds, such as the cape and pistol robes, to exude wealth and class, but other costumes proved to be more complex. “Young Jesse’s monster truck costume fabrics were sourced out of New York and shipped to be hand-stoned and embroidered after my tailor built it out,” Flannery begins. “Sending our precious costume out and relying on someone outside of my crew to handle the accents was scary but the reward was so fulfilling.”

Flannery takes pride in the Baby Billy Oyster costume, a nod to lounge singers of the past like Wayne Newton and Liberace. “The stationary oyster build was an added layer of fun, to make him become the whole one-man-show,” Flannery notes. She also highlights the introductory fire suit worn by Young Jesse. “It was a long process, and that baby shines in the lights. I wanted to give a nod to that southern culture of Dale Earnhardt, with an Elvis twist. It's made of silk and spice and everything nice.” 

Despite the challenges, Flannery worked closely with production designer Richard Wright and received tremendous support from the directors, allowing her visions to come to life seamlessly. “The payoff was mega, I think it looks incredibly seamless when you watch those scenes. Danny [McBride] is a very involved director and all-around showrunner, so he was always game for new and weird things that popped into my head.” 

Reflecting personality and development through costumes

The South and megachurch culture greatly influenced the design choices in The Righteous Gemstones. Flannery aimed to strike a balance between accessibility and wealth in the characters' wardrobes. “Judy for example consistently wears Gucci throughout the season, but it's the glitz and glam versions, not chic and posh,” Flannery notes. She believes Kelvin would want to continue to emulate the younger personification of youth pastors. “I could see his character leaning into that Hype priest vibe, you see in this season. I did a lot of research on TikTok to see what kids these days are wearing in these megachurch youth groups and the sneakerheads did not disappoint.” 

Season 3 showcases a new side of BJ and Judy. “BJ is trying to make a big difference in the community and lean into what it means to be a Gemstone,” says Flannery. “His wardrobe reflected that this season.” BJ's wardrobe aligns with his community-focused endeavors, while Judy's wardrobe evolves as her relationship with BJ faces challenges. “We wanted her to move into a rock superstar. However, when things get bumpy with BJ you see through the wardrobe a sink inward and a stripping away of some of that glam from the beginning of the season.”

Flannery delights in incorporating subtle details that contribute significantly to character development and the show's overall mood. From May-May's mismatched buttons to Aunt Tiff's pitch look inspired by pageant girls, each character's wardrobe tells a unique story. “May-May has mixed match buttons to show she's picked them up from the church floor and stitched on her vests. The cape and pistol closures are actually pistol bolos.” With Flannery's attention to detail and creative vision, the costumes seen throughout the season not only entertain, but also provide a window into the unique world of the Gemstones. 

Incorporating the unique style of The Righteous Gemstones to your wardrobe

As a contemporary show, The Righteous Gemstones balances historical accuracy and creative storytelling. Flannery's experience with period costumes and vintage styling allows her to authentically represent different time periods. “In the past, I have done a lot of period [costumes] and owned a vintage store in New Orleans, so being authentic to a period is important to me.” Episode five in particular showcases Flannery's attention to detail, featuring nods to past fashion trends like JNCO jeans, FUBU and Southpole, and pop culture icons like Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent and Eminem.

Channel the flamboyant style of Baby Billy Freeman with a fabulous lounge ensemble that pays homage to lounge singers of the past. Look for a vibrant, sequined blazer like The Holly Sequined Suit Jacket from Elie Tahari, sold in women’s sizes 2 to 16. Pair it with matching Wide-Leg Suit Pants for a complete ensemble. Add a touch of whimsy with a unique oyster-themed accessory, like these Pearl Oyster Earrings from The Pink Reef. Finish off the look with some show-stopping platform heels and embrace your inner entertainer.

  • Get the Pink Reef Pearl Oyster Earrings from Wolf and Badger for $125
  • Get the Elie Tahari Holly Wide-Leg Suit Pants from Saks Fifth Avenue for $207 (Save $188)
  • Get the Elie Tahari Holly Sequined Suit Jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue for $260 (Save $235)

To take a cue from Judy Gemstone's rock superstar transformation, rock a glamorous and edgy look. Seek out a sequined or metallic mini dress with intricate beading or fringe detailing like this stunning Embellished Disc Sequin Mini Wrap Dress, sold in women’s sizes 0-10 at Asos. Pair it with statement ankle boots or studded heels like these Clear Rhinestone Heels, available in women’s sizes 5 to 12, for added attitude. Accessorize with chunky jewelry, like a statement brooch or oversized earrings like these Lapis Teardrop Earrings from Nest Jewelry, to exude that rock 'n' roll vibe. Finish the ensemble with the Leather Motorcycle Jacket from Madewell, available in women’s sizes 2XS to 2XL and four colors, for a touch of rebellion.

  • Get the Clear Rhinestone Heels from Amazon for $50
  • Get the Embellished Disc Sequin Mini Wrap Dress from Asos for $100 (Save $100)
  • Get the Nest Jewelry Lapis Teardrop Earrings from Neiman Marcus for $125
  • Get the Leather Motorcycle Jacket from Madewell for $525

For a more relaxed vibe, embrace Eli Gemstone's retirement leisure aesthetic with a sophisticated yet laid-back ensemble. Look for lightweight linen or cotton pieces, like a relaxed-fit blazer or a crisp button-down shirt like The Linen Relaxed Shirt from Everlane, available in women’s sizes 0 to 16 and in six colors. Pair it with comfortable chinos or relaxed trousers like the Harlow Wide-Leg Pant from Madewell for an effortless yet refined look. These pants are available in women’s standard, plus, tall and petite sizes 00 through 28W. Complete the outfit with leather loafers or the Original Boat Shoes from Sperry for a touch of classic elegance, available in women’s shoe sizes 5 to 13 in three widths and three colors. Don't forget to accessorize with a Panama hat and stylish Rectangle Sunglasses to shield yourself from the South Carolina sun.

  • Get the Rectangle Sunglasses from Amazon for $11 (Save $2)
  • Get the Linen Relaxed Shirt from Everlane for $88
  • Get the Original Boat Shoes from Sperry for $110
  • Get the Harlow Wide-Leg Pant from Madewell for $118

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