What's this about ...
MFU actors were impeccably costumed. In every single scene, not a wrinkle, a smudge or a tear. Very differen than for The Wild, Wild West where Conrad was always splitting his pants.
In MFU’s case, meticulous appearance was for the sake of continuity. Because scenes were shot out of order. Actors clothing went to dry cleaning overnight for repressing. I’ve read where a duplicate in clothing could be on standby so as not to delay production if something couldn’t be fixed. I think that accounts for the routine of their clothing. When they did wear something new, it really stood out.
One of the fun questions, because after all, we are here to have fun! Is how were they able to tuck their shirts in, so invisibly, into their slacks, meaning so smoothly. Shirts needed to be tailored for extra length to keep them in place during action sequences. You can see the difference when a stuntman’s clothing (Discotheque Affair) gets pulled out of place at their back, but the action is so brief it doesn’t matter.
Plus the actors wore undershirts because hot lights made them sweat. It was probably easier to do a quick change of that, than pull out another dress shirt, but depending on the necessity of course. That’s a lot of material to deal with in managing a sleek and sliming appearance. The trick was not for the viewer's to be distracted. But of course, we're fans!
Did they achieve the effect by tucking inside … or outside ....the underwear. Which brings up the next question, what type.
The only hint (for NS) comes from 2 episodes, Minux X and Pop Art. Now the curious thing about Pop Art, is probably no other time did NS where such light, thin clothing. Golf pants, in yellow, really? Who went shopping that day? The point being, was it the lining of the pockets showing, except they’re not really deep enough to be real, or is it the bottom line of underwear. Both sides of the pants are the same. The actors never carried anything in their pockets on screen.
He’s also wearing a dark shirt, shouldn’t it show through such light pants. Why doesn’t it and how long is the shirt. Maybe not at all.
Minus X is curious because Illya points out a tear in NS’s grey slacks. Obviously Velcro is the secret to keeping it closed, but opened, does it show the white dress shirt underneath, a little bunched too. Or something else. And of course does it matter, except we’re fans who examine everything. Apparently!
I realize this is not exactly x-rated viewing. But costuming always fascinated me (in television) because it has to be so consistent scene to scene. And there was so much action, how could they keep track. Makes somebody wonder how much grooming was required between every break. I read somewhere that actors can choose their own undergarments, so this is why the question is kind of fun. Frankly, I think they were professional enough to defer to styling.
Of course there are other examples when discussing IK. Lets save that, for another pleasant day!
Pop Art
Minus X
Pop Art 2
Pop Art another angle