Even the clothes on The Leftovers are depressing

And there’s a reason why

Recently I’ve started a rewatch of The Leftovers, the HBO series that is currently featured on Signs You Have Depression lists everywhere. It’s a show that deconstructs the human condition, guilt, depression, and strength (and weaknesses) of family — and that’s without mentioning the show’s tantalizing premise. On October 14th, 2% of the world’s population vanished into thin air for no conceivable reason. The Leftovers tells the upsetting stories of life after the departure and features Justin Theroux looking very, very sad all the time.

But outside of Justin Theroux crying a lot, and ignoring that every character would rather Fucking Die than go on living, The Leftovers is depressing to just look at. Even if JT and Carrie Coon and Regina King were to sing and dance karaoke every episode, the show would remain dreary. Exit the writing and the dramatically joyless score, The Leftovers is left with its costume department and even that is sad as fuck. And there’s a reason for that.

Post-Departure, the world of The Leftovers is free from materialistic ideas like fashion. Everyone’s mind turned bleak after the sudden departure, so why bother with stupid, senseless things like a nice shirt or a matching outfit? Materialism no longer exists in The Leftovers unless you were spared.

Nora in Miracle, Texas

Nora Durst, though, is the only exception. Erika Murphy and everyone over in Miracle, Texas has an eclectic closet full of life through colors because they were spared and the Sudden Departure didn’t effect them. Nora is envious of this lifestyle, having lost her husband and two children to the October 14th event. When she’s in Mapleton in season one, her clothes demonstrate her sadness; black, grey, maybe a dark blue. But in Miracle? Nora is all about the reds and the whites. She’s attempting to be someone else, someone who isn’t defined by their tragedy.

Nora in Mapleton, New York

Granted, Justin Theroux’s character Kevin is notably stylish with his Ran-Bay aviator sunglasses and biker boots (topped with skinny jeans) but that’s all he wears. Kevin is most likely the most damaged dude in the series therefore he repeats the same style over and over and over again. Every time he goes out he’s wearing the boots, skinny jeans, and some drab shirt that is best left on the floor.

Sad (but stylish!) Kevin Garvey

It makes sense that no one would care about fashion anymore. What’s the point? If there were to be another departure, like most people believe, then what does it matter if you’re dressed well? The Leftovers is ruthless to its characters, making them dress like shit because they feel like shit.