Top 10 House of the Dragon & Game of Thrones Costumes
#10: Daemon’s Dragon Armor
It’s not just the women of Westeros who can boast epic outfits. Even functional clothing such as armor can give us a clue to individual personality traits and allegiances. The Lannisters are often seen in lion-embossed red and gold, while Sir Loras Tyrell, who is particular about his clothes, favors an intricate, rose-patterned design. In the first episode of “House of the Dragon” we’re just getting to know Prince Daemon. His eye-catching dragon helmet marks him out as a Targaryen, and the sheer drama of his tournament gear suggests a display of power and prestige. The shape of his tunic was designed for ease of movement and created with Japanese samurai in mind.
#9: Brienne’s Armor
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Daemon’s armor is perhaps the showiest we’ve yet seen in Westeros, but Brienne’s is the most iconic. She may be a highborn lady, but she never looks comfortable in a dress and is her most authentic self when dressed for battle. Brienne is introduced in her gold armor, and although her heavy plate and visor are plain and unadorned, she can’t help but stand out from the crowd. In season four she’s gifted a new suit of armor by Jaime Lannister. It’s another simple design, as according to costume designer Michele Clapton “Jaime isn’t a particularly creative person.” For her final scenes, Brienne returns to her trademark gold, with one addition - a raven symbol on the breastplate.
#8: Myrcella’s Death Dress
Despite her Lannister lineage, Myrcella Baratheon is probably the closest thing “Game of Thrones” has to a Disney princess. Her last gown is a billowing pink cloud of a dress, featuring some beautiful detailing by the show’s embroiderer, Michele Carragher. The whimsical design accentuates Myrcella’s youthful innocence, but is mirrored in the ensembles worn by her murderers, who are dressed in a more feminine style than usual, as if to suggest that they aren’t a threat. The Dornish fashions are more revealing than those of the other kingdoms and when Jaime arrives to take Myrcella home, he’s disapproving of her new wardrobe. However, in their final scenes together she looks every inch the princess.
#7: Jon Snow’s Fur Cloak
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Whether he’s beyond the Wall or holding court at Winterfell, Jon Snow lives in heavy cloaks and furs, which have become synonymous with his character. In season one he joins the Night’s Watch, donning the uniform that has earned the Night’s Watch the nickname of ‘crow’ among the Free Folk. You can see why - their fur capes may actually be IKEA rugs, but when dyed and distressed, they create the impression of ragged crows’ feathers. As King of the North, Jon’s look levels up. Sansa presents him with a new cloak, one suitable for the Lord of Winterfell. He may not be Ned’s son by birth, but Jon takes up his father’s mantle as the moral heart and hero of the series - and he wears it well.
#6: Rhaenyra’s Coronation Gown
“House of the Dragon” is set hundreds of years earlier than “Game of Thrones.” This gives new head costume designer, Jany Temime, the challenge of creating a Westerosi way of dressing that feels as if it’s from another era. The first time we see Rhaenyra in ceremonial dress she is being crowned as heir to the Seven Kingdoms. When designing the look, Temime was influenced by the brides of ancient Morocco. She made a feature of the long earrings and elaborate headdress to add an air of mystery and suggest something “unique, antique and special.” The headdress is inspired by the halos in Byzantine religious art. The princess’s necklace is crafted from the six sigils of the houses who have pledged to serve her.
#5: Sansa’s Lady of Winterfell Look
Sansa Stark had one of the most interesting character progressions of “Game of Thrones” - and her clothes changed with her. She swapped her Northern styles for King’s Landing fashions when she relocated to the capital. Her most dramatic transformation was her femme-fatale styling as ‘dark Sansa’. By contrast, her white wedding dress emphasized her innocence during her doomed second nuptials. However, our favorite look is her final Winterfell ensemble. As Littlefinger’s dark lady, Sansa was only playing at being powerful, but when she’s finally home on her own terms, she starts dressing for command. Her quilted dress and fur cape are professional and pure Stark, but still feminine. This version of Sansa is a force to be reckoned with.
#4: Cersei’s Style Evolution
Cersei Lannister may be a Baratheon by marriage, but we’re most likely to associate her with the red and gold of her House of birth. However, before King Robert’s death, the Queen is careful not to show her true colors. She wears softer hues: pinks, pale blue and sometimes Baratheon brown. But her husband is barely cold before she’s embraced her signature red. Cersei’s new gowns are all hard edges, sharp lines and embroidered lion motifs. As war looms, she even begins to incorporate armored corsets and belts into her outfits. Following the death of her children, there’s very little left of the old Cersei. Short haired and dressed in mourning black, she’s dispensed with feminine wiles as a weapon, and rules only through fear.
#3: Alicent Goes Green
“House of the Dragon” tells the story of the Blacks and the Greens and in episode five, Alicent Hightower lets her colors fly for the first time. This nod to the traditions of her house is intended to send a message. Alicent’s emerald green gown is not an outright declaration of war, but rather a statement of intent. It suggests that she’s breaking from Rhaenyra and putting herself and her family first from now on. The queen continues to dress in similar shades, with the style and cut becoming gradually more conservative as she ages and becomes more entrenched in religion. But that first dress - with its gold detailing, low neckline and dramatic sleeves - is the real showstopper.
#2: Margaery’s Wedding Dress
Margaery Tyrell is one of Westeros’ master manipulators and her provocative style of dress is just one of the weapons in her arsenal. Hailing from Highgarden, south of King’s Landing, Margaery can indulge in floaty fabrics and flesh-baring silhouettes. In the Tyrell colors of green and gold, or soft blues, she always looks effortlessly feminine - her sharp mind and ruthless ambition concealed behind a guileless and attractive appearance. For Margaery’s wedding dress, Michele Clapton wanted something a little more dangerous. The gown has an open back and plunging neckline, but is characterized by the central motif of a thorned briar rose - which symbolizes the “creeping influence” of the Tyrells. The train is made of silk roses, each one hand-rolled and stitched. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Melisandre’s Red Statement Look The Red Woman Always Makes an Impression Daenerys’ Qarth Dress The First Time Daenerys Wears Blue - and It Suits Her! Sansa’s First Wedding Dress This Regal Gown Incorporates Lannister Lions & Stark Wolves
#1: Daenerys’ Coat
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Exiled princess, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Stormborn had quite the fashion journey. Beginning the series in barely-there pastel fabrics, Dany transitioned into earthy Khaleesi browns before emerging as a conqueror in bold cobalt blue. As her dragons grew, scale-patterned embroidery became a feature, as did winged sleeves. We love this dress from her Meereen era and her final Targaryen look, but if there’s one “Game of Thrones” costume to top them all, it’s that coat. When Daenerys flies north to rescue Jon Snow, she dresses for the weather, in a romantic, statement piece. The coat is white faux fur with a jaw-dropping dragon tail detail on the back - it’s too gorgeous for words.
