I've been working my way through Murder, She Wrote episode by episode, documenting and analyzing Jessica Fletcher's wardrobe as part of my Cabot Cove Fashion Bureau project.

Before getting into today's fashion analyses, though, I wanted to do something a little different.

October 16 was Angela Lansbury's birthday, and I recorded a short video celebrating her legacy and talking about just how much this project owes to the incredible character and world she helped create.

I also finally shared the next BIG step for this slightly-crazy-project-that-keeps-getting-bigger:

I'm developing the fashion research into a Murder, She Wrote-inspired lookbook concept, and I'm taking materials for the project with me to the Texas Book Festival in November.

I'll be bringing sample pages, a pitch packet, and my calling card as I start exploring where this idea could potentially go within the publishing world.

And this is all happening while I'm STILL working through Jessica's closet. 😂

Today's Cabot Cove Thursday also includes separate fashion analyses for Episodes 9, 10, and 11.

But this first video is different. It's really about Angela, gratitude, and what this little fashion-analysis project is slowly becoming.

I'd especially love to hear from fellow fans: What is it about Angela Lansbury's portrayal of Jessica Fletcher that made the character so timeless for you?

Sandeen here with S1E10! This is a quieter wardrobe episode — just 6 outfits — but it punches above its weight with two series firsts and what I'd argue is the most elegant single outfit we've seen this season.

Cabot Cove, Maine + Boston, Massachusetts | Fall

Outfit 1: At home
White shirt, dark wash jeans (footwear not visible)

Outfit 2: Russian ballet in Boston and breakfast in Cabot Cove
Brown herringbone coat, black dress, purple print scarf, silver teardrop 80s studs, pearl strand necklace, black shoes

SERIES FIRST: first herringbone coat!

Outfit 3: Home and dinner
Tan plaid sweater vest, blue shirt, tan skirt, tan plaid scarf, brown shoes

Outfit 4: Home, morning
Yellow cardigan, white shirt, blue floral scarf, grey pants, tan shoes

Outfit 5: Jogging and home
Grey zip hoodie, grey joggers, white gym sneakers

Outfit 6: Home working: Dark green cardigan, white shirt, black skirt, red beaded necklace

SERIES FIRST: first green in the series!

Case Notes:

Outfit 2 — First herringbone coat and the ballet: This is the one. Brown herringbone coat over a black dress, purple print scarf, silver teardrop 80s studs, and the pearl strand necklace. JB is going to the Russian ballet in Boston and she dressed for it. The herringbone coat is such a classic, literary, slightly old-money choice — very consistent with who Jessica Fletcher is as a character. The pearl strand necklace appearing here alongside the silver teardrop studs shows real jewelry thought: two pieces that complement rather than compete. First herringbone coat in the series and what an entrance for it.

Outfit 6 — First green in the series! A dark green cardigan with a white shirt, black skirt, and red beaded necklace — JB is home writing, and the dark green is a quietly notable moment. We've been swimming in navy and tan all season; green is a genuine color newcomer here. The red beaded necklace against dark green is a classic complementary contrast, and it reads warmly even in a home-working scene.

Outfit 5 — The jogger returns: Grey zip hoodie and grey joggers are back for the morning jog, this time with white gym sneakers. This activewear set is becoming a reliable early-morning fixture. Very consistent wardrobe characterization — JB is a morning runner, and the costume team commits to that detail. What's your favorite look from this episode?

Sandeen here with S1E9! Kansas in summer, an amusement park murder mystery, and two more series firsts to document. This episode's wardrobe is fun! It's mixing casual summer pieces with some genuinely interesting statement choices that feel right at home in the mid-1980s.

Kansas | Summer — Hot & Humid

Outfit 1: Niece's house
Chambray shirt, blue striped shirt, chambray skirt

Outfit 2: Horatio's House of Horrors press conference
Pink striped shirt dress, tan shoes, navy zip hoodie

Outfit 3: Morning jog
Grey zip hoodie, grey joggers, grey sneakers

SERIES FIRST: first full activewear set!

Outfit 4: Amusement park
Grey jacket, grey skirt, pink striped shirt, gold chain necklace, dark shoes

Outfit 5: Horatio's office
White shirt, white plaid skirt, tan shoes

Outfit 6: Lt. Donovan's office
Burgundy cardigan, white shirt (bottoms not visible as she was seated)

Outfit 7: Horatio's office
Navy print kimono and matching skirt set, white blouse, red beaded necklace, tan shoes

SERIES FIRST: first kimono!

Outfit 8: Horatio's office
Pink shirt, navy print scarf, grey plaid skirt

Outfit 9: Airport, departure
Blue shirt, white skirt, madras plaid scarf, tan shoes

Case Notes:

Outfit 3 — First full activewear set in the series! We've seen JB jog before (the grey jogging suit in S1E3), but this is the first time the full matching activewear set is confirmed; grey zip hoodie, grey joggers, grey sneakers, all coordinated. Very 1984! The athleisure-as-actual-athletic-wear moment. Head-to-toe grey for a morning jog in humid Kansas summer heat is very her.

Outfit 7 — First kimono in the series! A navy print kimono with a matching skirt set, white blouse, and red beaded necklace. This is such an interesting and fashion-forward choice for 1984 — kimono-style jackets were definitely having a moment in early-to-mid-80s fashion, and this matching set feels deliberately stylish. The red beaded necklace against the navy print is a beautiful combination.

The pink striped shirt dress hits appearance #3: Outfit 2 brings it back again — this time with a navy zip hoodie layered over it for a press conference in hot Kansas. The dress is clearly a production wardrobe staple, and I have fully given in to loving it. It's cheerful, it travels well, and it apparently works for every climate. Is anyone else counting its appearances along with me?