Ms. Lemon: Secretary Chic (Agatha Christie's Poirot)

What does one do when cooped up in the apartment due to incessant rain and insufferable humidity? Pay the bills? Tackle mountains of belated paperwork? Catch up on unread books?  Commit to studying the local language? No, one watches endless hours of Poirot episodes.

In the last couple of weeks, I have managed to plough through the first six seasons of the endearing British crime series starring David Suchet as Agatha Christie's ingenious lil' Belgian detective with the iconic moustache. That amounts to approximately forty-five hours of television consumption in mere days! Appalling! :::lowers head in self-disappointment::: However, I suppose my time wasn't entirely wasted in the process, as my pathological attention-to-detail tendencies have compelled me to take note of the esteemed fashions featured in the show - so much so that I have compiled a rather extensive set of screencaps totaling over 150 images... Not quite sure of how to present them to you in blog post format, I figured I'd start with the character of Ms. Lemon, Poirot's hard-working secretary whose diligence and perfectionism match his own.

Having never read the Agatha Christie novels, I confess to knowing nothing more about the characters and their backgrounds other than what was conveyed through the television show (of which I was told stayed pretty well in-lined with the original cases). From mere deduction, Ms. Lemon seemed to have worked for Poirot from sometime toward the end of WWI through the mid-1940s. The character in the ITV series was portrayed by Pauline Moran, who appeared in 8 seasons, 31 episodes from 1989 - 2001. The series is still in production, and is set to film its 13th (and final) season this year, after which all the Poirot novels would have been completely adapted for screen (that is, with the exception of one short story, The Lemesuirer Inheritance).

The bulk of episodes that I watched in which Ms. Lemon was featured seemed to have taken place sometime in the 1920s-30s. Art Deco influences could be seen in just about everything from that period, with the design aesthetic spanning from architecture to interior design to fashion and jewelry, etc.

Keeping with her fastidious character, Ms. Lemon embodied "secretarial chic" by appearing in stylish but appropriately subdued dresses, low heeled shoes, and understated jewelry. While not always "fashionable," she made certain to appear well-groomed and "put-together." She also wore tortoise shell eyeglasses and set her auburn hair in the popular "finger waves" style of that era. The length of her hair varied but when it was longer, she would pull it into a tight bun (sometimes two smaller buns) seated at the base of her neck. Never did she go with "loose" hair. Finally, her makeup was generally light and minimal, with the exception of the occasional bright red lipstick choices.

The buttons and middle embellishment on the front of this gray dress is very "art deco". 

{from episode: "The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb"}



Ringlets or spit curls (spiral curls of hair pressed flat against the forehead, temple or cheek) were also a popular back in the 1920s. Ms. Lemon could be seen sporting them often!

More art deco inspired geometric patterned blouses. 

{from episode: "The Lost Mine"}

Clanking away at the old typewriter. Any guesses on the make? Probably either Underwood, Remington or Royal.

{from episode: The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly"}

oversized lapels and slits in the sleeves. 

{from episode: "Four and Twenty Blackbirds"}

Very lady-like in his soft pink blouse and black shirt. 

{from episode: "The Lost Mine"}

Love the unusual collar and sleeve design on this green knitted dress. 

{from episode: "The Cheap Flat"}


{from episode: "The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim"}

Not so sure about this dress...The white adornment in the middle looks like a large snowflake...but I do like the rows horizontal slits. 

{from episode: "The Double Clue"}

She was frequently seen in "rust" colored clothing.  

{from episode: "Hickory Dickory Dock"}

And then there were THE HATS:


{from episode: unknown}

Beautiful soft pink satin jacket+skirt, paired with a cream colored hat and a rose colored lipstick.

{from episode: "Peril at End House"}


{from episode: "How Does Your Garden Grow?"}

A wider shot of her entire outfit...

{from episode: "How Does Your Garden Grow?"}

Hmmm...

{from episode: "Peril at End House"}

Funeral attire...(love her lipstick colour though).

{from episode: "Hickory Dickory Dock"}

The detail in the collar/lapels of this burgundy wool coat adds a beautiful texture and dimension to the otherwise plain coat. Also, love her tan suede gloves. 

{from episode: "The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim"}

Love the white buttons at the tip of the lapels on this tailored navy coat. 

{from episode: "The Veiled Lady"}

This navy coat with the fur collar/stole and the oversized buttons is the most glamorous of all of Ms. Lemon's coats. 

{from episode: "Hickory Dickory Dock"}

Really like her makeup here also.

{from episode: "Hickory Dickory Dock"}

Here she is in the same coat but a different hat. 

{from episode: "Hickory Dickory Dock"}

The hat is most interesting! You can't see it very well but it comprises of two "layers" (of different shades) that overlap, then bound together by a thin light colored belt. 

{from episode: "Hickory Dickory Dock"}

This dark red evening gown with long black gloves is the most "dressed up" Ms Lemon has ever been (at least through season 6). She looks stunning!

{from episode: "Peril at End House"}

I hope you enjoyed these! More to come soon.

Posted in: Agatha Christie,hairstyles,Poirot