I think you’ll agree that, when it comes to onscreen performances, the devil usually dresses well. And, on Lucifer, that’s no exception. But, forensic scientist Ella Lopez’s choice t-shirts certainly give Lucifer Morningstar a run for his money. Or souls. We’re not sure what he’s using for currency these days.
If you’ve been watching Lucifer but hadn’t realized just how rad Ella’s t-shirts are, I’ll admit I didn’t notice them until she wore her Abominable Snowflakes tee and I paused the show to go see if I could order one. (The jury is still out whether Netflix and online shopping > Netflix and chill.) If you want your own, it’s available here.
With season 4 finally available on Netflix – thanks to fans saving the show from utter damnation (aka cancellation) – I spoke with costume designer Julia Schklair, who oversaw Lucifer season 3, to get the story behind Detroit-native Ella Lopez’s wardrobe.
And, I pulled together a collection of some of Ella’s t-shirts from seasons 3, 4, and 5 in case you want to wear them in your own forensic lab. They also make for great conversation starters. Just like this book from our list of what to get that person you’ve just started seeing.
Q&A with Lucifer‘s Costume Designer
How important is a character’s wardrobe in defining who they are?
Julia Schklair: You don’t notice the subtleties, but it helps shape them.
How so?
It’s not about fashion. It’s not about what designer they’re wearing. It’s about who they are. I try and define the character so much so that you couldn’t put them in each other’s clothes. [If you did,] you’d say “wait, they’re in Ella’s t-shirt or Charlotte’s dress.”
A producer said to me once – and I’m paraphrasing a bit here – each person that you make, they have to desirable. Every single one of them. There’s somebody for everyone. Every outfit that you put them in people have to want and people have to want them.
Even Dan. Wow, ok. So, how did you change her wardrobe from season 2 to season 3?
We matched her inside to her outside.
We added more color. We made her more of a grown up. She’s tiny – [actress Aimee Garcia] fits in a kids 14, so it’s very easy to go that route because it fits her. But, she’s an adult. You have to believe she’s a forensic scientist and that she’s at least 30.
We found t-shirts that were kitschy and made you smile, but that also an adult would wear because they’re more subtle and have grown-up humor.
Like the Little Devil shirt.
Yes! You see those things if you’re paying attention. It works for everyone and there are these little inside jokes.
Where are some places you sourced Ella’s costumes from?
We have to clear all artwork on network television. And [we found] Threadless’s shirts are very clearable because the guy who owns it buys the artwork.
There were some from Spiritual Gangster, some pieces — like her band t-shirts — from boutiques on Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles.
We got a bit at All Saints because the cloth jackets fit really well. And, Shanna [Mair, the costume designer for seasons 1 and 2] had started her with these DKNY sneaker boots and we kept those because some things have to be familiar.
The Best T-Shirts Worn by Ella Lopez
Here’s the thing. Filming for Lucifer (and most shows) takes place months before the episodes air, it’s not a guarantee that an item will still be in stock when you see it on screen. That’s TV magic, folks!
We’ve included links to all the shirts if they were available. If one of Ella’s t-shirts is sold out or no longer available, and you really want it, try searching for it on Poshmark or eBay! Coincidentally, that’s where we found our last boyfriend. Sure, he’s made of scarves, but he’s a great listener.
Season 3
Episode 4: What Would Lucifer Do
Laurel Canyon ringer tee by Midnight Rider. Not currently available.
Episode 6: Vegas With Some Radish
Heavy Metals tee designed by Garaunt. Available on Red Bubble
Episode 8: Chloe Does Lucifer
Cloud tee by Rag & Bone. Not currently available.
Koala Me Back by Sub_Urban Riot. Not currently available.
Episode 12: All About Her
Planet by Zara. Not currently available.
Episode 15: High School Poppycock
In Squad We Trust by Sub_Urban Riot. Not currently available.
Episode 17: Let Pinhead Sing
World’s Greatest Forensic Scientist designed by LawGifts. Available on Zazzle.
Abominable Snowflakes tee designed by Michael Buxton aka Dino Mike. Available on Red Bubble.
Episode 18: The Last Heartbreak
Wildlife Observation tee by Tiffany Pankratz. Available on Threadless.
Episode 19: Orange is the New Maze
Astronaut I Need More Space by Zara. Not currently available.
Episode 20: The Angel of San Bernadino
Happy Camper by Sub_Urban Riot. Not currently available.
Episode 23: Quintessential Deckerstar
Little Devil t-shirt by Re/Done. Not currently available.
Season 4
Episode 1: Everything’s Ok
Purrrsist! designed by Vo Maria. Available on Red Bubble.
We Want Jetpacks! designed by Pawel Kania. Available on Threadless.
Episode 2: Somebody’s Been Reading Dante’s Inferno
Death’s Daughter’s Roller Skate Club. Available on RedBubble.
Can Knot designed by Jaco Haasbroek. Available on Threadless.
Mornings Suck t-shirt designed by Michael Buxton aka Dino Mike. Available on Threadless.
Episode 3: O, Ye of Little Faith, Father
Heavy Metal Unicorn Rainbow T-Shirt designed by Travisball. Available on Red Bubble.
Whatever Tee Designed by Mathiole. Available on Threadless.
Stay in School…Ski School That Is t-shirt designed by BeanePod. Available on Red Bubble.
Episode 4: All About Eve
Taco Eclipse of the Heart designed by David Olenick. Available on Threadless.
Everything is Fine tee designed by Michael Buxton aka Dino Mike. Available on Threadless.
Episode 6: Orgy Pants to Work
Give Me a Break t-shirt designed by Adrian Serghie. Available on TeePublic.
I Just Rescued Some Wine by VectorPlanet. Similar version on Amazon.
Episode 7: Devil Is as Devil Does
Fluff Off designed by Love with Fluff. Available on Society 6 (not available in blue).
Episode 8: Super Bad Boyfriend
This Is Unbearable t-shirt by slug bunny. Available on TeePublic.
Rainbow Dinosaur by Mark Ashkenazi. Available on TeePublic.
Episode 9: Save Lucifer
Fur Antidepressant designed by Anna Alekseeva. Available on Red Bubble.
Season 5
Episode 1: Really Sad Devil Guy
The Snuggle Is Real tee designed by The Cabin Supply Company. Available on Threadless.
The Dangerously Cheesy design by Cody Weiler is also available as this rad duffel bag.
Ella’s I Love Science tee is available on TeePublic.
Episode 2: Lucifer! Lucifer! Lucifer!
You Matter Then You Energy tee available on TeePublic.
We can’t find the Clever Girl shirt, but we like this one that’s sort of close if you close your eyes and use your imagination.
Episode 3: ¡Diablo!
Big Clown Energy t-shirt available at LookHuman.
Ella’s hot dog t-shirt (officially known as “Just a Weird Scene #32) is available on Threadless.
Episode 6: BlueBallz
Science and I Have Great Chemistry shirt available on TeePublic.
Episode 7: Our Mojo
Radish t-shirt designed by Lili Batista available on RedBubble.
The Bodacious Period t-shirt designed by Hillary White available on RedBubble.
Episode 8: Spoiler Alert
Not Fast Not Furious t-shirt designed by Andrea Smith available on RedBubble.
Unlucky Charms tee designed by DinoMike available on RedBubble.
Episode 9: Family Dinner
The Angry Cake pun shirt also by Dino Mike is available on RedBubble.
Relatively Woke Einstein T-Shirt at Hot Topic.
Episode 10: Bloody Celestial Karaoke Jam
Free Hugs (by a Snake!) available on RedBubble.
Episode 11: Resting Devil Face
Holy Sheet t-shirt by Lili Batista available on RedBubble.
Episode 12: Daniel Espinoza: Naked and Afraid
DinoMike’s Making an Impact design also comes as a shirt, but we really loved this tank top version.
Episode 13: A Little Harmless Stalking
Stay Curious our friends! Shirt available here.
Episode 15: Nothing Lasts Forever
Donut Panic t-shirt available on RedBubble.
Episode 16: Is This Really How It’s Going to End?!
Unicorn of Death shirt available on RedBubble.
Episode 17: A Chance at a Happy Ending
Just Making It Up As I Go Along shirt available on RedBubble.
Plant Killers Club shirt available on Threadless. (After last season, we seriously stan this one for her.)
Nihilism Cat tee available on TeePublic.
I've written or worked for a wide range of lifestyle sites and magazines, including Billboard, Nylon, Parade, Men's Journal, Us Weekly, Stuff, Blender, Beachbody, Alternative Press, Electronic Gaming Monthly, and more. See more on my LinkedIn.
On the baking side of things, I've run my own baking company and competed on Cupcake Wars, so hit me up with your baking questions! I respond fastest on Instagram where you can find me @letseatcakeblog
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Thank you so much for this!
I don’t suppose you’ve been able to find the I’m so Eggcited t-shirt that Maze wears in season 5 when she’s trying to be Ella (and steals her clothes)? I loved that one but can’t find it anywhere!
We’ve been looking too! If we come across the actual one, we’ll add it to the post, but this is the closest we’ve found so far: https://amzn.to/2QlFJ8R
try TeePublic
I’ve been searching for her clear glasses that she wore with the happy camper t-shirt. Any ideas? Thanks!!