Ever find yourself watching an episode of Mercy, wondering where Veronica got those killer ankle boots? Or where Chloe got the idea to pair that cute winter coat with those dangly earrings? Or how Sonia decided what kind of scrubs to wear at the hospital? Who stocks the closets of our favorite characters, and how does it all come together? To find out, we're taking you behind the scenes for an exclusive look into the Mercy Costume department!

Half department store, half Santa's Workshop, the costume department is always abuzz with activity, from designing and tailoring to ironing and accessorizing. It all starts with the Costume Designer, who reads each new script and breaks it down by character, figuring out how many outfits they'll need and what they'd most likely be wearing in each scene.

DID YOU KNOW? The Costume Designer creates "tear sheets" for each character's wardrobe. Tear sheets are collections of visual images, colors or symbols that serve as a source of inspiration and ideas.

Next, the Costume Designer collaborates with the rest of the production team -- including the writers, the producers, the director, the production designer, the hair and makeup department, and the actors -- in order to further conceptualize each character's wardrobe. Once this is done, members of the costume department scour stores all over New Jersey and New York, as well as online. After gathering multiple pieces of clothing and accessories, they arrange a fitting with each actor.

FUN FACT: With guest stars, measurements are given ahead of time and the process is somewhat trial and error. But when it comes to our regular cast members, the costume department has a strong sense of each character's specific look.

During the fitting, actors try on clothing and talk through their scenes with the costume designer. Afterward, the clothes are prepped, tailored if necessary, and carefully organized. Costume department team members place a character's entire "look" into a garment bag and label it with the character's name and the scenes it's needed for. The "look" includes all clothing, jewelry, undergarments, shoes, and accessories. Then the bags are whisked off to each actor's trailer, where they'll be ready and waiting when it comes time to call "Action!"

INSIDE SCOOP: When the cameras stop rolling, everything is organized again and stashed away for potential future use.

There you have it - the Mercy costume department in a nutshell! Stay tuned for more exclusive photos and interviews as we continue to take you behind the scenes here at Mercy!