I think they're trying to soften Beckett's image a bit, which explains why we saw a leather coat on her for the first time this season last night (plus it was an edgier episode) and why the long sweaters (which I don't like either).  That patterned blouse she wore in the episode with Mike Royce was terrible – Beckett isn't a flashy kinda girl.  She's very no-nonsense  and straightforward, so she shouldn't be dressed in a lot of colorful prints, IMHO.  And I liked the button down blouses she wore most of last season – they were sexy, but professional looking on her.  Some of the stuff she's worn this season just makes her look unkempt and out of shape.  But I've noticed the last couple episodes, that her wardrobe seems to be normalizing.  Thank goodness. 

In regards to Ryan and Esposito, I think that article about telling the two of them apart put it badly.  They're not so much trying to help fans tell the two apart, as much as portray them both as two very different parts of one pair.  They work together, get a long well, but are two very different people as well as personalities.  I agree though – Esposito is a proud guy, so it makes sense that he would be dressed a little better than the camoflage shirt and and jeans he wore in part of last night's episode.  He doesn't need to look like he's heading off to war in EVERY episode.