Vitals

Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren, paranormal investigator

Harrisville, Rhode Island, Fall 1971

Film: The Conjuring
Release Date: July 19, 2013
Director: James Wan
Costume Designer: Kristin M. Burke

WARNING! Spoilers ahead!

Background

With ten days until Halloween, let’s shift into horror mode with the first installment of The Conjuring franchise, based on real-life demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren’s 1971 investigation into the possible haunting of the Perron family’s Rhode Island home. Starring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine, this movie was the first in a shared cinematic universe of nine films to date—most recently The Conjuring: Last Rites, which was released last month.

“We’ve been called demonologists, that’s one name for us. Ghost hunters, paranormal researchers,” Ed described themselves earlier, with Lorraine adding “kooks” to the laughter of their college audiences. “Wackos,” he adds, before she clarifies, “but we prefer to be known simply as Ed and Lorraine Warren.”

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What’d He Wear?

When Ed arrives with Lorraine and their team to set up their equipment in the Perron home, he dresses for the fall weather in an interesting collared sweater zipped over a knitted polo with polyester jeans.

This zip-up cardigan appears crafted from a stockinette-stitched lambswool (possibly blended with mohair), brushed to a soft, haloed texture. The chest and upper back are continuously patterned in an argyle motif of overlapping diamonds in muted tones of black and red, but—unlike the crisp, sharp-edged lines of a traditional intarsia-knit argyle weave—the design looks intentionally blurred, likely spray-dyed onto the cloth as was common for 1960s and ’70s-era knitwear. Additional “half-argyle” rows present the upper half of the red diamond print along the top of the cuffs and hem. The ribbed collar, cuffs, hem, and each side flanking the zipper are finished with maroon-and-mustard contrast-striped trim along the edges.

Ed balances the sweater’s bold pattern by layering it over understated, solid-colored pieces like a black knitted short-sleeved polo shirt with three black buttons at the top.

He continues to wear his usual casual trousers, made from a dusty puce-colored polyester that provides some stretch while working through the haunted basements and crawlspaces of a possessed home. They’re styled like jeans with curved front pockets, patch-style back pockets, plain-hemmed bottoms, and belt loops where he wears a black leather belt.

Ed’s shoes are high-vamp, plain-toe loafers made from a matte black grain leather that’s no stranger to dirt and dust. He wears them with black socks.

Ed wears rings on both hands, with a plain gold wedding band on his left hand echoed by a more ornamental gold ring on his right hand that flashes a dark squared stone. His simple stainless steel wristwatch has a round white or silver dial with non-numeric baton-style hour indices, a day-date window at the 3 o’clock position, and a subdued crown placed at 4 o’clock, consistent with 1970s-era Seikos. The three-piece link bracelet features large squared matte steel links through the center, framed on each side by a narrower polished steel.

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How to Get the Look

Even if you don’t necessarily love (or simply can’t find) this kind of argyle zip-up sweater, Ed Warren demonstrates a masterclass in adding character to an otherwise simple and timeless look by layering a patterned cardigan for a fall-friendly statement piece.

• Stone red-and-black spray-dyed argyle brushed lambswool cardigan sweater with maroon-and-mustard edge-striped ribbed collar, cuffs, hem, and straight front zip
• Black knitted short-sleeved polo shirt with three-button top
• Puce polyester jeans with belt loops, curved front pockets, patch back pockets, and plain-hemmed bottoms
• Black leather belt
• Black matte leather plain-toe loafers
• Black socks
• Gold ring with square-set black stone
• Gold wedding band
• Stainless steel automatic Seiko-style watch with round white/silver dial (with baton hour indices and 3 o’clock day-date window) on steel three-piece link bracelet

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Do Yourself a Favor and…

Check out the movie.