Fashion of the 'Conchords': Tips for Dressing Like Bret & Jemaine

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HBO'S 'FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS' racked up six Emmy nominations for its second season, including nods for writing, directing, acting, music and general comedy excellence. One thing the show did not get acknowledged for was its costuming. Sure, the wardrobe on "The Tudors" probably took a bit more effort to create, but Conchords fashion is plenty evocative as well.

Looking like a lascivious French royal would be expensive and ridiculous, but impersonating an expatriated New Zealander in a "guitar-based digi-bongo a capella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo" is both achievable and affordable.

In honor of the season two DVD release, here's the Express guide to dressing like a Conchord (or Conchord associate).

THE JEMAINE LOOK
Styling is just as essential as fashion when cultivating Jemaine Clement's aesthetic. Chunky glasses frames and sideburns are Jemaine's most defining physical characteristics.

Clothing plays a role as well. Jemaine's fashion trademark is cowboy shirts; he's also a big fan of denim, whether made into jeans, a jacket or the inevitable cowboy shirt, and he doesn't hesitate to wear several pieces at once. Even after season one's unfortunate shrinking leather suit incident, Jemaine persists in wearing leather jackets.

And it should be noted that Jemaine, at least while exercising, readily rocks the short shorts. Whether this had anything to do with his Emmy nomination for best lead actor in a comedy we can only speculate.

THE BRET LOOK
Unlike Jemaine and his well-maintained sideburns, Bret McKenzie's style really only requires a man not to shave or comb his hair for a few days. This did change briefly when both Conchords became addicted to hair gel in the "NewZealandTown" episode, but both recovered.

Emulating Bret's wardrobe may require a bit more effort. Bret usually favors normal jeans, but copying his remarkable collection of sweatshirts with animal graphics might require upwards of two visits to some of the better Laurel thrift stores. Like Jemaine, Bret has a range of outerwear for all occasions and temperatures, ranging from vintage down vests to a shearling coat. Bret also tends to wear most tops, whether polo shirts or sweaters, a size too small.

THE MURRAY LOOK
Band manager Murray (Rhys Darby) might not be doing the greatest job representing New Zealand in his work at the consulate, but he does quite well at representing Kiwi fashion. New Zealanders are stereotypically known for their drab color selections, and accordingly Murray dresses in a range of olive greens, browns, and grays.

Apart from his predictable palette, Murray has a 1970s style about him, from the cut of his jackets to the part in his hair.

THE DAVE LOOK
Dave (Arj Barker) is not just Bret and Jemaine's best friend, he's also their pawnbroker. As a pawn professional, Dave cultivates a tough look, usually including camouflage, an army jacket and a Rambo-style bandanna.

THE MEL LOOK
The band's greatest (and often only) fan, Mel (Kristen Schaal) is also the primary (and probably only) purchaser of the band's merchandise. Mel makes sure to represent the Conchords on her t-shirt as often as she can do laundry. Otherwise, her fashion sense is as old ladyish as her voice is little girlish, including lots of florals, fuzzy cardigans and mom jeans.

Written by Express contributor Meg Zamula
Photo courtesy HBO