Hogan's Heroes - Corporal Petra Newkirk, British Pickpocket

The thing that I love about "Hogan's Heroes" is that each of the principal characters had their own specialty and their own look. After a HH marathon on TV Land this weekend, I was greatly inspired to create a few dresses inspired by the different characters, especially by the useful "roles" they played in their undercover duties.

The first outfit is a "pickpocket" dress inspired by Corporal Peter Newkirk. As you can see by the link, it's not even close to a direct copy of the original. That's where the term, "inspired by" comes in handy!

I designed this dress to retain a practicality for a pickpocket. It's baggy around the side pockets, so as to store items without letting them be seen too much, and the large folded down false lapel on top is also a pocket, designed for the thief to be able to drop items into it while disguising her hand movement as if she is simply touching her shoulder.








And it is probably unnecessary to point out the ultra-short miniskirt as an additional tool for discraction tactics.










Of course, let it not be said that I don't take inspiration in constuction from the TV show. It's there if you look for it. Our operative is utilizing Newkirk's turtleneck, and the cuffs at the end of her sleeves are meant to reflect the corporal stripes on his uniform sleeves.

I also like the look of the way the Germans used the already-existing buttons from their double-breasted coats to hold their lapels open, so I nodded at that as well.