The Dark Return of Game of Thrones Costumes
The long-awaited Game of Thrones season 8 debut featured some seriously extravagant costumes. SPOILER ALERT: If you haven’t started watching yet and want to be surprised, you might want to wait to read this. Though not as dramatic as the end of season 7, so far the season 8 costumes are no less stunning or billowing, featuring their staple animal furs. The darker and harder looks of this episode may reflect the wintry and edgy aesthetic that is to come in this final season, with costume designer Michael Clapton introducing a lineup of armor-like garb.
New Queen of the North Daenerys came in hot, returning to Winterfell alongside her romantic interest and ally Jon Snow. Daenerys appeared in an elegant, all white fur coat with prominent shoulder pads worn over a fitted bodice, embodying her elegant queen-like character. The white fur is laid in long vertical stripes, displaying rich hints of red between the tufts – a choice that could resemble blood. The sheer white against the underlying red may reflect the future dynamic between her as a leader and the people she will be leading, or perhaps is representative of her capability and willingness to kill. Daenerys came to the North with all of the confidence that she would transition gracefully into the role, yet the proud members of the North were not as willing to accept her as she was to assume the position.
Image via Helen Sloan/HBO
Upon Daenerys’s arrival is another vision of serious strength: Sansa Stark. Her long, black and gray fur coat is worn over leather straps that cross over her chest, as if she is the guardian amongst the other soldiers that protect the North.
Image via HBO
Jon Snow enters the home that crowned him, but now backtracks due to the betrayal for giving the crown to a new and unfamiliar queen. Snow’s black cape was a stark contrast against Daenerys’s white. He wears a thick fur over his shoulders and all black layers beneath. His sleek leather boots go up to his knees. He is dressed sharply and looks more refined than the rest of his Northern peers. As usual, his black armor aligns more with that of a soldier than a king. Tyrion Lannister steps up to support Jon Snow, attempting to acclimate as a member of the North with his long black leather vest, textured shirt and his Hand of the King pin on his chest.
Image via HBO
Arya enters the scene later on in the first episode, her dark fur coat covered by a leather suit that resembles fencing armor. The coat wrapped around her chest is embellished with straps and metal clasps to secure her sword. When she embraces Snow, for a brief second she looks like the little girl swallowed in furs that we met in the first season. In this moment, her Arya Stark identity is not disguised.
Image via HBO
Alone in the South, Cersei Lannister is the last of the royalty in the seven kingdoms that wears gold. She wears an elegant black gown with gold shoulder armor and strings attached to them that drape around each arm and through the center of her body. The lining of her jacket is embellished with small gold studs. She wears a short fur layer beneath the outer coat that peeks out from her signature turtleneck look.
Image via HBO
Cersei sits on her throne with a gold, slightly oxidized-looking, simple crown made of strands that tangle like weeds to join in a pointed centerpiece in the middle of her forehead. Reaching Kings Landing to court Cersei, Euron Greyjoy wears a black, leather-padded jacket with stars embroidered on the arms. Mesh is strung over his shoulders like a scarf, representing his sailing roots. His jacket is loosely open, and his shirt beneath it is unbuttoned and wrinkled.
Image via HBO
The powerhouses of this season are each introduced in sharp textures and darker hues that set the mood for the rest of the season. The designers have fans like myself at the edge of their seats to see how the team will execute the few costumes that we get to see in the final – and shortened – season.
Graphics via Jessica Paridis