Like many fantasy fans around the world, I’m so excited to have my Sunday nights re-dedicated to the world of Westeros thanks to the Game of Thrones prequel show, House of the Dragon. Regardless of how I felt about season eight (or indeed, season seven..and six…and five), the original series of Game of Thrones was a cornerstone of fantasy and TV costume design. Each character, army, and people group were so richly realized, with colors, textures, and armor that spanned the different climates and regions of the world. For over ten years, all of us were glued to our TV screens, wondering what costumes we would want to make next. Let’s take a look at some of the fabulous costumes of the original show, and how we can recreate them for our next Halloween or cosplay events.
Daenerys Targaryen
House of the Dragon started with a tribute to Daenerys Targaryen, and for good reason. In the 2010s, we all fell in love with Daenerys’ rags-to-riches, female empowerment storyline. Her costumes reflected her coming into her own power as a leader, as well as her commitment to ending systems of oppression. (We won’t talk about her ending!) To mimic Daenerys’ Dothraki garments, try rough-hewn linens and tweeds for a textural touch. For her gorgeous gowns in Qarth and Mereen, we love flowy chiffon and pleated silks. Finally-did you know we have a cosplay pattern for Daenerys? Use the Atlas Cosplay with faux leather or powerful suiting to recreate Daenerys’ style as she takes King’s Landing.
Sansa Stark
Much like Daenerys, Sansa’s storyline was all about finding herself and coming into her own power. At the beginning of the series, she is a young girl obsessed with fairytales and stories of gallant knights and princesses. She ends the story as the Queen in the North, a cunning and powerful political leader. If you’re cosplaying Sansa, you’ve got to recreate her famous crow dress with loose feathers and feather trims. Additionally, Sansa loves to embroider her own gowns with symbols of her home and family, so take a stab at hand or machine embroidery to make a green velvet gown with a direwolf sigil.
Cersei Lannister
Who says female characters have to be good? Cersei’s character is one of the villains of the series, who constantly pushes against gender boundaries to create what she sees as a better life for herself and her children, no matter the cost. Her outfits blend the masculine and the feminine, wearing rich silk kimonos accessorized with leather or armored belts. She often sticks to the colors of her house; red and gold. If you’re looking to craft some of Cersei’s iconic armor, the Adonis Accessories and our vintage appliques are a great place to start!
Margaery Tyrell
As Cersei’s rival, Margaery Tyrell uses her femininity and sexuality to get what she wants. Her gowns are often adorned with ribbon or metal roses, the sigil of her house. She is most often seen in shades of blue and teal, again a callback to her temperate, lush homeland of Highgarden. Her wedding dress, covered in a train of vines and roses, was the most expensive gown made on the show, so you know that it’s iconic! Grab a few yards of our romantic brocades, and try floral-patterned silks for her dresses.
Arya Stark
Finally, we come back to another Stark sister; this time Arya Stark, perhaps the most deadly character in Westeros! Contrasting the other female characters of the show, Arya is almost always in pants and a doublet, showing her prowess as an assassin and her own rejection of gender norms. To create Arya’s looks, you’ll need a ton of rich faux leathers, as well as fluffy furs that nod to her Stark heritage. Use our Winterberry Cape as a base to craft her iconic slashed fur coat!
Who is your favorite Game of Thrones character? How do you feel about House of the Dragon? Let us know in the comments below!
