Tom Wambsgans delivered The most horrific (and most viral) burnings ever seen Succession In the fourth series, his comments about an “amazingly large” bag (“What is even inside here? The flat shoes you wear on the subway are a good idea. Her lunch pail?”). It’s important to remember that this guy was at the billionaires conference not long ago wearing a Moncler jacket. The ludicrously large, Roman quipped, “What is it filled with? Your hopes and dreams?”
It’s clear that the Roys are passing on their gift of bitchy remarks and nasty asides. Tom continued his mean streak in a recent scene when, to try to get Lukas to warm up, he reminded Lukas of the time that they had bonded at Sun Valley over ridiculing “Sundar’s cargo shorts”. Sundar, of course, is Sundar Pichai as CEO of Google.
Wambsgans from the very first season Succession.
Our Minnesota boy has come a long way, his deeper descent into the Roys’ sumptuous pits of depravity mirrored in a wardrobe that has evolved over the years from that of—in Roman’s words—”a divorce attorney from the Twin Cities,” to something if not exactly Roy-esque, then probably close enough. Tom’s Machiavellian maneuvers in Tuscany at the end of season three were a great example. His exquisite purple label suit was reminiscent of Michael Corleone.
Ralph Lauren’s betrayal is more serious.
Sure, season 4 has left him with his only powerful ally in the family dead—and by all accounts his marriage to Shiv too—but at least he looks better than he did three seasons ago. Some changes are more conspicuous than others—gone are those Gordon Gekko suspenders, for example, and his penchant for matching his pocket square to his tie. Some changes are subtler, like a pinstripe. Better tailoring, fabric or a bit more. sotto voce eleganzaWe call this Low-Key, Rich Bitch.
Michelle Matland (costume designer) says that the quality of his suits has increased by 100 percent. T&C The last time we dissected in 2019 was 2019. Succession‘s ultra-rich wardrobes. He’s wearing Brioni now instead of Hickey-Freeman. His clothing, as well as his shoes, have a distinct cut and quality. “He’s trying harder to appear more subdued.”
The Disgusting brothers, season 2.
The Disgusting Brothers, Season 4.
But this is also a show in which no one really knows who they are, what they want, or where they ever stand—except Logan. Matland also says that Roman has been true to himself since the first day: “Despite all of his destruction, he is very aware of who he is.” He was his father’s loyal son. The rest of their choices in clothing reflect their lack self-awareness. Shiv’s doubtful outfits, Kendall Gold Chains and Gucci Bombers, Greg Pretending to Be Important.
Even Greg, Tom’s long-suffering fixer-taskrabbit-protégé, has gotten a sartorial upgrade.
Tom, played by Matthew Macfadyen with great skill, uses snarky remarks about the handbag of a minor player to regain some control and feel like he is in charge. He peaked for a short time in this season: he became Logan’s inner circle, the head of the largest news agency in the nation, and (sort-of) started to assert himself within his marriage. “There has certainly been a great evolution from the guy—he has been given entrée into the inner circle and has become kind of a snob on the other side,” Matland says.
Season 2
Season Three
Is it possible to shed the skin so easily of someone who is striving for middle class? Not quite. Tom might always just be Tom. She says that he has given up much of his aesthetic absurdity, but still succumbs to the instinctive urge for posturing. She says, “Now that the man is part of an inner circle he does not know how to use it. He is still searching for himself. “He isn’t yet a fully formed identity.” Tom at least can take comfort from the fact that his identity is still incomplete.” SuccessionNo, you are not.
Plus ça change?
Watch Succession HBO
Editor
Leena Kim works as an editor for Town & CountryShe writes about travel, jewellery, weddings and culture.