7 Subtle Style Secrets Behind Roland And Jocelyn Schitt's Iconic 'Anti-Fashion' Costumes

The fashion of Schitt's Creek is famously dominated by Moira Rose’s avant-garde gowns and David Rose’s designer knitwear, but the true sartorial anchors of the town are Mayor Roland Schitt and his wife, Jocelyn. As of December 10, 2025, the enduring legacy of the show’s costume design continues to spark discussion, particularly the understated, yet brilliant, choices made for the local couple. Their clothing is not merely an afterthought; it is a masterclass in using "anti-fashion" to define character, provide comedic contrast, and ground the entire series in small-town reality.

Their wardrobe, curated by costume designer Debra Hanson, serves as the perfect, cozy foil to the Roses' extravagant, fish-out-of-water aesthetic. While the Rose family’s clothing screams wealth and displacement, Roland and Jocelyn’s outfits are a quiet, consistent testament to their unpretentious, deeply rooted life in Schitt's Creek, making them far more iconic than a simple plaid jacket and a comfy sweatshirt might suggest.

The Anti-Fashion Manifesto: Roland and Jocelyn Schitt's Character Profiles

To truly appreciate the genius of Roland and Jocelyn's costumes, one must understand their roles as the original residents and heart of the town, in stark contrast to the newly arrived, formerly wealthy Rose family.

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• Roland Schitt (Played by Chris Elliott): Mayor of Schitt's Creek. Known for his lack of filter, casual rudeness, and deep (if sometimes misguided) loyalty to his town. His style is the epitome of unbothered, practical, small-town comfort.
• Jocelyn Schitt (Played by Jennifer Robertson): Wife of Roland, a local teacher, and later, the director of the Jazzagals. She is the grounded, kind, and often exasperated counterpoint to both her husband and the dramatic Rose family. Her style is "homely" but evolves subtly as she gains confidence.
• Key Relationships: Close neighbors and eventual friends/business partners with Johnny and Moira Rose. Parents to Mutt Schitt and Roland Moira Schitt.
• Costume Designer: Debra Hanson, whose brilliant work defined the look of every character, from David's designer sweaters to Moira's wigs.

1. Roland's Signature: The Plaid Jacket and the Exposed Belly

Roland Schitt’s wardrobe is arguably the most consistent and least "fashionable" of the entire cast, and that is its genius. His style is a visual shorthand for his total lack of pretense and his comfortable position as the town's mayor.

The cornerstone of Roland’s look is the ubiquitous, often ill-fitting, plaid jacket or flannel shirt. These pieces are never designer; they look like they were bought at a local hardware store or a discount chain. This choice immediately establishes him as the ultimate local, someone who prioritizes comfort and utility over any kind of style or trend.

Another defining (and oft-discussed) element is the way Roland wears his shirts—often untucked, sometimes with a few too many buttons undone, occasionally exposing a significant portion of his midriff. This detail, while played for comedic effect, is a brilliant piece of visual characterization. It signals a man completely secure in his environment, who has zero concern for external judgment or societal norms, a direct contrast to Johnny Rose's perpetual suit and tie.

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2. Jocelyn's Homely Look: The Evolution of the Sweatshirt

Jocelyn Schitt’s style is best described as "homely" and "practical," especially in the early seasons. Her wardrobe consists primarily of simple, comfortable pieces: sweatshirts, practical jeans, and sensible shoes. This "plain" look is essential for her role as Moira Rose's foil—Jocelyn is grounded, simple, and stable, while Moira is flighty, self-involved, and extravagant.

However, what makes Jocelyn's costume arc interesting is its subtle evolution. As the series progresses and her confidence grows—especially with the success of the Jazzagals and the deepening of her friendship with the Roses—her wardrobe subtly shifts. She starts to incorporate slightly more tailored tops, better-fitting jeans, and a wider variety of colors and patterns, moving away from the purely utilitarian early-season look. This quiet shift reflects her internal character development, a subtle nod to her growing self-assurance within the community.

3. The Power of Contrast: A Visual Comedy Tool

The real comedic and thematic power of Roland and Jocelyn's costumes lies in their interaction with the Rose family’s clothes. Their outfits are a constant, visual reminder of the vast cultural and socioeconomic gap the Roses are trying to bridge.

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• Johnny vs. Roland: Johnny Rose is almost always in a crisp suit, even when doing manual labor. Roland is in a stained plaid shirt. This contrast highlights Johnny's inability to let go of his past life and Roland's complete immersion in the present.
• Moira vs. Jocelyn: Moira’s architectural, monochromatic designer pieces and countless wigs stand in stark opposition to Jocelyn’s practical, colorful, and often-layered teacher attire. Their opposing styles perfectly encapsulate their opposing worldviews: theatrical versus grounded.

This stark visual contrast is a key element of the show's early humor, emphasizing the Roses' status as outsiders and making Roland and Jocelyn the visual representatives of the community they are trying to join.

4. The Unforgettable Hawaiian-Themed Soiree Attire

One of the most memorable costume moments for the Schitts is their attire for the Hawaiian-themed party they host. While Moira and Johnny attempt to dress up in somewhat appropriate, yet still upscale, cruise-wear versions of Hawaiian attire, Roland and Jocelyn lean into the theme with a genuine, slightly tacky, local enthusiasm.

Roland, in particular, often sports a brightly patterned, loud Hawaiian shirt, which, unlike the Roses' attempts, looks like something a local would own and wear on multiple occasions. This moment is a perfect illustration of their character dynamic: the Schitts are authentically themselves, while the Roses are still performing a version of their former lives.

5. The Symbolic Uniform of the Rosebud Motel

As the series progresses and the Schitts become more integrated into the Rose family's life—especially with the Rosebud Motel business—their functional outfits take on a new symbolic meaning. Roland's practical, durable clothing is exactly what is needed for a hands-on business owner. His flannel and work boots become the "uniform" of a man who is actively building something, a subtle shift from the "town mayor" uniform of the early seasons.

Jocelyn’s comfortable, washable clothes reflect her role as a working mother and dedicated teacher, reinforcing the idea that she is the practical, emotional anchor for her family and, increasingly, for the Roses as well. The lack of high fashion in their closets is a constant reminder that their value is in their character, not their clothing.

6. The Unsung Hero: Jocelyn's Hair and Accessories

While the focus is often on the clothing, Jocelyn’s hairstyle is as much a costume piece as any sweater. Her early-season, slightly dated, heavily highlighted bob is a deliberate choice by the costume and hair departments. It adds to her "homely" aesthetic and serves as another visual marker of her being rooted in a small, slightly behind-the-times town.

Her accessories are minimal—a simple necklace, a practical watch, a sensible handbag—again, standing in sharp contrast to Alexis Rose's delicate, expensive jewelry and Moira’s dramatic brooches. These details reinforce her role as the "unsung hero" of the show, a character whose depth is revealed through her actions and kindness, not her outward appearance.

7. The Halloween Costume Standard

The enduring popularity of Schitt's Creek has made the characters a common choice for Halloween and costume parties. While David and Moira costumes are popular for their extravagance, Roland and Jocelyn costumes are a favorite for couples who appreciate the subtle, low-effort brilliance of their look.

A Roland costume requires little more than a cheap plaid jacket, a trucker hat, and a slight beer belly (optional but encouraged). A Jocelyn costume is easily recognizable with a simple, colorful sweatshirt, jeans, and a slightly dated wig. This accessibility is a testament to the costume design's success: the characters' looks are so distinct and so perfectly matched to their personalities that they are instantly identifiable, proving that impactful costume design doesn't always require haute couture.

In conclusion, the costumes of Roland and Jocelyn Schitt are a quiet masterpiece of character design. They embody the town's spirit, provide essential comedic contrast, and, through their subtle evolution, reflect the deep, genuine heart of Schitt's Creek. Their "anti-fashion" is, in its own way, just as iconic and meaningful as any of Moira’s designer lewks.