As fixer Olivia Pope on ABC's Scandal, Kerry Washington often finds herself smitten with President Fitzgerald Grant, but it's her impeccably chic wardrobe that viewers at home are lusting over. Working and playing on Capitol Hill in pieces from Gucci, Prada, Escada and Dior, Washington proves that Olivia Pope is a political -- and style -- gladiator . . . a total force to be reckoned with.
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"Olivia Pope's fashion is much better than Kerry Washington's fashion, because she's cooler than I am -- by far," Washington -- the star Us Weekly readers voted as their Celebrity Style Crush for the week of March 11 -- admitted in a Closet Confessions interview with Bluefly last fall.
Working with Scandal costume designer Lyn Paolo, Washington dresses her crisis management guru character in a variety of looks that have Us swooning, too.
Here, Us Weekly details three reasons why Washington's seen-on-TV wardrobe is so crush-worthy:
1. In a sea of navy and black styles in Washington, D.C., Olivia Pope always finds a way to stand out. The ultimate "gladiator in a suit," Washington's character always puts her best foot forward in business attire, but knows when to have fun with fashion, too. Case in point: This blush-colored Armani coat she wore during season 1's "The Trail," which she accessorized with Gucci suede platform pumps and a Goyard tote.
2. Whether she's handling a Capitol Hill crisis or juggling alone time with one of the many men in her life, Washington's Olivia stays on trend. Rocking this Escada black and white Gorinn gown at the Caldwell fundraiser during the episode "Boom Goes the Dynamite," the actress used her trendy sex appeal to woo Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) -- and newcomer Jake Ballard (Scott Foley).
3. She's not afraid to recycle her favorite standout pieces. "I want people to feel like Olivia has a closet -- that it's not just some endless supply of clothes that we have in a room somewhere," explains Washington, seen here wearing a white blouse, slacks and long layered necklace opposite Huck (Guillermo Diaz) in the series premiere. "Like any other woman, she has to mix and match pieces." Among the items in heavy rotation on the Scandal set: three Movado watches -- in gold, rose gold and silver -- and a select handful, er, armful of Prada purses.
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Tell Us: Which of Olivia Pope's looks do you love?
This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Kerry Washington on Scandal: Her Most Crush-Worthy Style Moments