High Potentialwas a surprise hit for ABC, and the procedural’s impressive attention to detail even extends to Morgan’s wardrobe. Kaitlin Olson’s portrayal of Morgan Gillory was an unexpected delight, with many anticipating Olson to be acontender for the 2025 Emmy Awards. While Olson has had many iconic comedic roles,High Potentialflaunted her dramatic acting prowess— in addition to her fabulous costuming.
WithHigh Potentialseason 2’s extended episode count, there will only be more opportunities for the ABC drama’s costume department to create memorable outfits for the ensemble cast. Ironically, thanks to the unique colors, textures, prints, and silhouettes, Morgan’s fashion sense may be the most divisive aspect ofHigh Potential. Nonetheless, aside from being visually striking,Morgan’s outfits often reveal hidden details about her character.
10Morgan’s Double Pink Leopard
Season 1, Episode 13
While investigating the clues left by a serial kidnapper fromHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 13— known only as “David” (David Giuntoli)— Morgan sports a pink leopard print fur coat over a pink leopard print blouse. Additionally, she wears a light-blue leather skirt, green statement earrings, and a belt made of metal leopards. In comparison, her coworkers wear shades of blue, brown, and black in the scene.
The bold outfit makes Morgan stand out like a sore thumb, but there’s an interesting double meaning to her patterns.By employing double leopard print, High Potentialpositions Morgan as a predator, skillfully solving every twisted puzzle. Just as her skills turn heads, however, her loud, neon pink spots also draw attention— mirroring how, even in a crowd, David picks Morgan out and secretly stalks her.
9Morgan’s Casual Night Off
Season 1, Episode 6
In stark contrast, Morgan wears one of her most subdued outfits inHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 6 when she joins the Major Crimes Unit for after-work drinks. Morgan shows up wearing a cropped, dark-wash denim jacket over a simple t-shirt. She also has her hair partially pulled up in a claw clip.
The half-up, half-down hairstyle reflects how her guard isn’t totally down, but she’s opening herself up more.
At just around the halfway point of the season, Morgan was beginning to truly feel like a part of the team, which is what convinced her to join her coworkers for drinks in the first place. The half-up, half-down hairstyle reflects how her guard isn’t totally down, but she’s opening herself up more. The plain outfit she chooses underscores this, as she isn’t actively attempting to prove herself, but rather allowing her peers to see her at her most basic level.
8Morgan Meeting David
One of the most thrilling moments ofHigh Potentialseason 1 was when David approached Morgan in plain sight to deliver a message. He approaches Morgan, Ava (Amirah J), and Elliot (Matthew Lamb) in a grocery store parking lot while Morgan is in a t-shirt, jean shorts, and a casual flannel. Intriguingly, Morgan’s shirt reads“playing with fire.”
Morgan’s comfortable outfit reflected how David caught her off-guard. In Morgan’s head, the LAPD were narrowing in on his identity, totally unaware that they had been on a wild goose chase all along. The genius consultant was ready for everything to go back to normal, as evidenced by her casual clothes. WithDavid’s evil plan inHigh Potentialseason 2still unclear, the writing onMorgan’s shirt may even be foreshadowing.
7Morgan’s Pilot Outfit
Season 1, Episode 1
Unsurprisingly,Morgan’s clothes inHigh Potentialhave been meticulously selected since the beginning. InHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 1, Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) and Lev “Oz” Ozdil (Deniz Akdeniz) appear to bring Morgan to the station. As Lieutenant Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) questions her, Morgan sits in a large fur coat— this time adorned by natural leopard print.
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What makes this outfit so interesting is that Morgan specifically chooses to wear the fur coat solely to go to the police station. Before Karadec and Oz arrived, Morgan had a plain leather jacket atop her colorful blouse and maroon skirt. After the detectives show up at her door, Morgan puts on the dramatic fur coat as a protective layer, parading her otherness as a defense mechanism.
6Morgan’s Striped Jacket
Season 1, Episode 10
InHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 10, Morgan wears a cropped fur jacket with stripes during the bulk of the investigation. Underneath the jacket is a blouse with a retro geometric pattern and a black denim mini skirt. To finish the look, Morgan wore a bejeweled belt and statement hoop earrings.
From the color palette of the stripes to the color-blocking on the blouse, there’s something deeply nostalgic about this outfit.The overall effect is very similar to classic 1970s fashion, which feels like an intentional nod to the surge of detective shows in the 1970s. For many procedurals— classic and modern—High Potentialfeels like a spiritual successor, and this look certainly feels reminiscent of the genre’s historical roots.
5Morgan’s Cleaner Uniform
BeforeMorgan’s role at the LAPD inHigh Potentialexpanded to solving crime, she was a night cleaner. The opening scene of the pilot episode shows Morgan’s commute to work and her changing into her uniform. Morgan jazzes up the regulation pink dress with white trim by wearing a colorful fanny pack around her waist, unique fishnets with a diamond pattern, and bright red over-the-ear headphones.
Morgan always marches to the beat of her own drum— including literally dancing on top of desks in the bullpen.
Even before she had spoken her first line,Morgan’s zhuzhed-up uniform silently conveyed her character. Regardless of the banality, Morgan can (and will) put her own spin on everything. Additionally, putting a twist on her uniform foreshadowed the trouble she’d have following direct orders and respecting authority. Morgan always marches to the beat of her own drum— including literally dancing on top of desks in the bullpen.
4Morgan’s Gala Dress
Before theHigh Potentialseason 1 finalecame to its pinnacle with Oz’s abduction, Morgan begrudgingly attended the police gala. Lieutenant Soto practically mandated it, as she expressed her desire for the team to present a unified front. Morgan acquiesces, showing up in a dress picked out by her daughter: a hot pink evening gown with a sweetheart neckline, fitted waist, and asymmetric ruffle.
The dress was not only stunning but a perfect fit for Morgan. Whereas other series may have given her a traditional, toned-down“makeover,”High Potentialleaned into Morgan’s bright personalityand proved her audaciousness does not negate her elegance. From her quirky starfish earrings to her matching nail polish, Morgan’s gala look refused to dilute her singularity, and Karadec’s starry-eyed expression said it all: beauty isn’t always subtle.
3Morgan’s Teal Fringe Jacket
Following the trend of her striped fur coat, another look inHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 10 stood out due to its eye-catching outerwear. While on a fake“stakeout”to catch Charles Lavoie (Ken Marino), Morgan wears a teal suede jacket with fringe cascading down the shoulder pads and lapels. Underneath, Morgan has a mock-neck bodysuit with an artistic print and leather pants with a lace-up front.
This outfit is quintessential modern vintage couture, as the retro details clash beautifully with the contemporary print. Though the suede fringe was ubiquitous in the 1970s, the jacket also has a Western flair that makes it more visually interesting. In contrast to the stripes, however, the teal color layered atop the reds and oranges of the bodysuit’s print is a much more striking ensemble, despite serving a similar purpose.
2Morgan Meeting The FBI
Season 1, Episode 12
When the strait-laced FBI agents appear inHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 12, they meet Morgan in one of her most over-the-top outfits. Morgan has on a colorful mesh top with an abstract pattern, leather shorts, a purple leather blazer, and a leather belt segmented by giant silver hearts. Whether against the gray tarmac or the neutral office building, Morgan stands in vivid contrast.
Just like the outfit itself, how it relates to Morgan’s character is anything but subtle. Ronnie (Jocko Sims) writes Morgan off immediately for her gaudy appearance, but it’s his desaturated wardrobe that makes him literally pale in comparison to her, just as his detective skills figuratively do.Morgan doesn’t just wear her heart on her sleeve; she wears it around her waistwith pride, holding her ground in the face of judgment and misconceptions.
1Morgan’s Floral Blouse & Crocodile Skirt
Morgan’s best outfit by far, however, is when she and Karadec begin investigating the serial kidnapper inHigh Potential’s season 1 finale. As they explore the Mulholland Trail, Morgan wears a sheer, pistachio-green blouse with a floral design on it, complemented by her green leather boots. Additionally, she has a brown leather skirt with a crocodile pattern embossed onto it.
No other costume captures Morgan’s character so clearly. The dainty, feminine top harshly juxtaposed with the intense, rough skirt represents howthere is always a clashing sense of duality within Morgan. Her isolating genius clashes with her longing for connection, her duty clashes with her morals, etc. There may be many changes inHigh Potentialseason 2, but nothing can take away Morgan’s nuance (or impeccable style).
