There’s a reason the Television Academy keeps throwing costuming Emmys at Game of Thrones, year after year: they deserve it. Costume designer Michele Clapton outdid herself once again, with the help of a stellar team to bring her designs to life onscreen, one more time, in the final season. After round 1, our readers have narrowed down the list of nominees to the top five. Now it’s in your hands to choose the Best New Costume! The finalists are…
Daenerys’s sueded grey leather coat-dress with red seams
Sansa’s black leather armor dress
The red-inflected updated version of Daenerys’ fur coat
Sansa’s elaborate coronation gown
Daenerys’ black leather embossed riding coat, with red details
You can view results from the first round of voting HERE!
Final round rules: To choose the winner, cast your vote in the poll below. In the finals, unlike the preliminaries, fans have one vote to cast. At the end of one week (Monday 12/09/19 at 12PM ET), the costume with the most votes will be the winner! The results of the polls will be revealed during the live Watchers on the Wall Awards ceremony, specific date to be announced in the near future!
Sandor!
It doesn’t seem to be letting me vote, but I have to go with Dany’s riding coat. I remember seeing it for the first time as she was sat on Dragon, and while Emilia was acting her ass off, I was losing it over her costume.
I recently read that every single costume Dany wore had trousers and boots under it, even her dresses, it was like a safety measure should she need to make a quick escape (as she did from the fighting pit) it was a nice character touch.
Edit: It worked, it just took an age.
All of Sansa’s S8 costumes were the best.
Sansa’s coronation dress (but I don’t remember it looking black, but glancing through a few pages of images, guess it was. But just gorgeous.)
”There’s a reason the Television Academy keeps throwing costuming Emmys at Game of Thrones, year after year: they deserve it. Costume designer Michele Clapton outdid herself once again, with the help of a stellar team to bring her designs to life onscreen, one more time, in the final season.”
• The achievements of Clapton & company are often wasted on a sartorially challenged viewer like yours truly, who lacks a discerning eye for fashion. I don’t appreciate the little details and intricate styling when I’m watching, so I appreciate the featurettes and articles that “drill down” into the specific designs of the costumes and explain how the details of a character’s costume are intended to tell their own “story.”
• Once again, my top choice in preliminary round voting didn’t make the cut for the final round: Arya’s updated cape ensemble landed in 9th place, appearing on a meager 6.36% of aggregate votes in preliminary round ballots.
• I’m going to jump the gun and declare the winner of the Best New Costume of Season 8:
Sansa’s elaborate coronation gown, which took 1st place in the preliminary round with 19.5% of the aggregate total votes.
Sansa’s coronation gown far outpaced the closest runner-up, Dany’s black leather riding coat with red details, which was way behind in 2nd place with 12.13% of aggregate votes.
• One minor gripe – if you can call it that:
After learning about the effort that went into designing and making Sansa’s gorgeous coronation gown, I do wish we had seen it for longer than the few seconds it was shown during the closing montage in S8e6. (I can only wonder how many hours went into designing and creating that gown, compared to the few seconds it was on screen.)
Two micro-whinges from an Aryaphile & Sandorista:
1. Like my earlier pseudogripe about the brief screen time given to Sansa’s gown, it would have been nice to see Arya’s updated cape ensemble and gloves for longer than the few glimpses of Arya walking below deck and on deck of her direwolf ship. (I don’t recall that she was wearing that new cape ensemble during the farewell to Jon scene on the docks. I could be mistaken.)
2. I really, really wanted Sandor to have a kickass suit of armor instead of that awful vest he’d been wearing since his return in S6. Sure, that dweebish vest was appropriate when he was a member of Brother Ray’s hippie commune. When it came time to be a warrior again, he deserved new armor to rival the “space age” Kingsguard armor of FrankenGregor.
Besides, Sandor’s the one who had impressed upon Arya the reality that superior fighting skills only go so far; there’s no substitute for “armor and a big f*cking sword”
I thought it looked odd for Sandor to fight against the AotD wearing just a vest and wielding an axe. I figured he’d somehow get his hands on some real armor and a sword. (Okay, personal, subjective wishful thinking: Sandor, as defender of the Stark daughters, should’ve wielded one of the two Valyrian steel swords reforged from Ice.)
– End Micro-Whinging –
It was between the fur and riding coats, and the former won. It’s the one I’d most want to wear. :-3
Sansa’s coronation dress no doubt.
I’d loved it if I had seen Sansa wearing something that’s not that “armored” but I suppose the story as it went doesn’t imply much relaxation for Sansa. She’s well, in her home, surrounded by things she knows and are of significance to her and for her family’s legacy, and that’s reflected in the dress and in particular in the intricate armored corset that resembles the branches of the heart tree. Everybody’s represented in her dress: Bran, Arya, Jon, her Tully mother, her Stark father. Excellent.
As for Daenerys’ dresses I liked her grey fur coat of season 7 better; her white-red is just a repetition with minor changes. Her wrecking havoc dress is nice, but too spooky for voting for it; it seems like it’s dipped in blood, and as if her hands are dripping blood. In the show the dress seemed black-red, but it’s grey in reality, and resembles coals (I guess).
It’s very nice and I’d like to have a leather coat like that in my wardrobe, but not so strict.
[a coat like that can be worn at the opera or theater over the little black dress, lol]
I genuinely couldn’t care less about this one, but my vote is for Sansa’s black leather armor dress.
I voted for Sansa’s coronation gown. While we only saw it on screen for a few moments during that beautiful closing montage, I think it stands alongside Cersei’s coronation dress from “The Winds of Winter” and Dany’s white winter coat from “Beyond the Wall”* as my favorite costumes from the entire show. The weirwood leaves, in particular, are a gorgeous touch, and I love her crown as well. All hail the Queen in the North!
Speaking of which, Daenerys’s full Targaryen black-and-red riding regalia is incredible as well. That’s among her very best costumes in the series, and she’s had no shortage of great ones. Her Satanic Majesty, indeed.
*I voted for Dany’s white coat last year, which is why I ultimately didn’t vote for either of Dany’s updated red-slashed costumes this year. That’s not to say they’re not amazing, just a tad too similar that strikingly original, iconic look. I wanted to spread the wealth a bit.
They are all brilliant. Had to go with Danys riding coat since it is the single most iconic scene in cinema history.
Jack Bauer 24,
Had to go with Danys riding coat since (in my opinion) it is the single most iconic scene in cinema history.
There. fixed it for you.
Ten Bears,
Good to know it was “Micro-Whinging” TB! 😊
1. I suppose I’m in the same boat because I don’t even notice the intricacies of the costumes, as explained above. (That’s on me – not the designers.) In fact, I’m somewhat surprised that so much time, effort and money are devoted to costumes that are on screen so briefly, and aren’t even appreciated by fashion-oblivious viewers like me.
2. On behalf of King Stannis, thank you for using properly the phrase “couldn’t care less” to express “I don’t really give a sh*t” or “it doesn’t matter to me one bit.”
It irks me to hear or read “I could care less” – which means something does matter to some degree.
(*Grinds teeth; presses “Post Comment”*)
On the irking scale, which is worse?
I could care less
or
literally
Hey Jack! As I’ve previously suggested, may I/we get you for Christmas some synonyms or alternatives for the word “brilliant”?
For starters, how about: “phenomenal,” “fabulous,” “unparalleled,” “stellar,” “magnificent,” “incredible,” spectacular,” “awesome,” “fantastic,” “marvelous,” “sensational,” “splendid,” “astounding,” “astonishing,” “wonderful,” “extraordinary,” “remarkable,” “incomparable,” stunning,” “amazing,” “breatheaking,” or “unrivaled” ?
“Incandescent,” “radiant,” and “luminous” might be appropriate to align with the brightness connotation of “brilliant.”
(Depending on your preferences and location, colloquialisms like “knocked my socks off,” or “blew me away” could do the trick.)
The Queen in the North! The Queen in the North! The Queen in the North!
No Brainer. QITN. What a dress. Pretty sure I cried while watching it.
Ten Bears,
Brilliant post, TB. Just brilliant 😉
Oh, the abuse, misuse and overuse of “literally” is way, way up on the irksome spectrum: 9.5 on a scale of 1 to Apoplexy. Not a day goes by that I don’t see “literally” carelessly tossed into a sentence for no reason, as if it somehow conveys emphasis. It doesn’t. It’s become a go-to lazy word.
In other instances the writer or speaker really means “figuratively” (the opposite of “literally”), “virtually,” or metaphorically. I think a while back I channeled King Stannis to bitch and moan about a quote from a showrunner of “Stranger Things” in an article about implementing security measures to prevent script leaks and spoilers, once that show started becoming popular. That person was trying to relate how the “Stranger Tbings” showrunners had consulted with their counterparts on Game of Thrones for advice.
He stated something like: “We literally picked their brains.”
I went off and asked (sarcastically) if they had drilled through the skulls and dissected out brain tissue of the GoT showrunners.
I don’t know why trivial things like this bother me. 🤬 (Some other time I’ll whinge about “to try and do something]” instead of “to try to [do something].”)
Ten Bears,
The word “literally” drives me kind of nuts too, though it doesn’t grind my gears quite as much as it does to you. It does seem like one of those popular buzzwords that lazy people use to sound smart though, when it does just the opposite.
This is a bit off-topic, but I would compare this to a similar experience when watching the movie “Get Out”. I am generally a liberal, but it depends on the issue. One time I watched the movie with a friend who is very liberal, and he basically came away from the movie excited about how the movie tackled racism. However, the movie doesn’t really tackle racism in terms of typical southern redneck racism. It actually covers the topic of casual racism from liberals who act like they aren’t racist, but really are when it comes down to it. I don’t know how anyone can miss that.
I think people use the word “literally’ so much because a lot of people tend to over-exaggerate so much of what they say in casual speak that they feel the need to throw in the word “literally’ to show that they are not exaggerating for once.
There’s a lack of self-awareness these days that seems to be much more pervasive than ever and I think that’s kind of where the “literally” thing comes from. Some people say it to make some kind of point even thought they’re just making themselves look dumb in the process.
-Daenerys’ black leather embossed riding coat, with red details
Sansa’s coronation gown has this in the bag, but this was an easy choice for me.
This is a hard one. Sansa’s coronation dress is beatifully intricate. Daenerys’ white fur coat on the other hand is iconic.
And the third I’m considering is the black riding coat. That’s evil personnified, or well… dressified.
Sansa’s elaborate coronation gown. I love how all the Starks are interpreted into it.
I literally couldn’t care less 😉
kevin1989,
That’s it mister. You’re getting pulled over by the Grammar Police!
I went for Sansa’s Coronation gown. It was the ultimate work of art for Michele Clapton.
I liked the sketch for Dany’s white coat better than the actual coat. There was a photo of the sketch in a different WotW article. I’ll paste the link to the photo below. I think it might just be impossible to get the sketch’s proportions on a live person, but I also like the cape and how you can see more of the blood color lining… (going with the fire and blood theme).
https://watchersonthewall.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/unnamed-7.jpg
This is how I feel now:
https://tenor.com/view/game-of-thrones-got-shame-nun-gif-4969023
Huh. I figured Sansa’s dominatrix outfit would be more popular. Oh well.
Looks like Sansa’s coronation dress is going to win in a landslide
Sansa’s coronation dress is gorgeous and so intricately detailed but I went with Dany’s white fur coat with red details because as a girl who’s costumed in -30C dressed in nothing but layers of organza for a photo project, I have infinite appreciation for a nice winter coat as part of the costuming — so Dany’s S8 winter coat it is 😉
Adrianacandle,
-30!!!!!
I put away my summer clothes earlier today.
Winter is coming.
Finally.
(some say there will even be some snow)
Ohohoho, yes! I can show you the photos if you want! I remember, at one point, accidentally hitting my arm against the tree and I couldn’t feel much of anything, not the bark, not the impact, not the cold, just this mild vibration and I remember thinking, “Well, that might be a thing later.” (And it was! The pain after was excruciating but better pain than no more hands). In some photos, my hands are a completely different colour and this different colour is creeping up my arms — but worth it!
We were doing a Wizard of Oz thing and I was Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, so, you know — North, Banff, mountains, snows, freezing temperatures, stupid ideas, a trail of sequins following me everywhere, dress dipping into the toilet of a Tim Horton’s bathroom while I changed…. 🙂 Felt right!
But yes! And I hope your snows are much more mild! And wear sleeves, not puffed organza 😉
To make my blood pressure spike🤯, you should have written “I want to try and say that I literally could care less.”
😛
Adrianacandle,
I had to look up “organza” and now that I know what it is, I have to ask what kind of photo project required you to dress in thin silk fabrics in -30 degrees weather? ❄️❄️❄️
(I’ll read on to see if you already addressed this)
Adrianacandle,
Update: I see that you were dressed as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.
I did not know that good witches of Ox are supposed to be impervious to freezing cold like Red Witch Melisandre at Csstle Black.
Try this…
https://i.giphy.com/media/ZgBAir7XtkTW8/giphy.gif
It’s my understanding that Good Witches of Oz travel in centrally heated bubbles 😉 But I had no such thing — for me, it was coat off for 5 min, photos, coat on, coat off for 5 min, photos, coat on. But my hands and forearms still started to veer on the “bluer” side of red…. Still, Banff makes a great backdrop 🙂
It was Wicked’s version of Glinda in the Blue Bubble dress (and if you scroll down and find an image with the caption, “Pin on Fashion” from Pinterest, that’s me — I’ve been pinned!)
This!
As for “literally”, it’s rarely more than a meaningless intensifier nowadays. The English language, once so rich, is being steadily impoverished by the ignorant. The same people who think “ignorant” means “rude”.
Of course you’re right.
I was about to launch into a long screed blaming the internet for butchering language and fostering illiteracy. I thought better of it before pressing “Post Comment.”
I adore them all, but the amount of detail that went into Sansa’s dress—and more important, the fact that all her dearly beloved are clearly reflected in it—bagged the vote for me.
Riding coaaaaaaaattttttt. ❤ It is just stunning. And on the most beautiful woman this side of Missandei.
Controversial opinion, I don’t like Sansa’s dress that much, well perhaps it’s a cloak or coat of some kind? The bodice and skirt is beautiful but the feathers and leaves etc look a mess to me. The asymmetry annoys me. My second choice would have been her leather number.
Ten Bears,
I only ever hear American’s say ‘could care less’ and I’ve never understood it. But then some don’t, perhaps it’s a regional thing.
Jenny,
Agreed, it seems like it’s come directly from the catwalk.
There’s one sleeve with scale-like embroidery which extends into sth like a sash and is embroidered with the red leaves while on the shoulder the sleeve turns into a fur sash and collar which then turns to feathers and drops down over the other shoulder. I think it’s excellent. If it was white or cream it would have been a perfect wedding dress.
It’s not your fault. It’s entirely the fault of whoever makes the decisions, be it directing, editing or whatever. It makes me sad and angry that we, the viewers are deprived of the chance to appreciate these things fully. I’m not saying that every little detail needs to be explained on screen, but at least they should be made visible. For instance, the dragon scales on Daenerys’s coats.
I’d love to have the book about the costumes, but there’s no way I can afford to spend forty odd quid on a book.
Adrianacandle,
Well now that the weather is not what it used to be one never knows if it’ll be a glacier, or normal snow, or a just springle of it.
I saw your picture. You’re pretty! The dress is made of dreams and fairytales.
I never wore a dress like that and I refuse to, lol.
Unfortunately fashion is giving me a hard time nowadays, since long dresses with endless skirts flapping in the wind like GoT’s banners have returned.
[I don’t understand why women would want to wear sth like that when it took us thousands of years to get rid of them, but that’s just me.]
Grandmaester Flash,
One of the things what made me love the show was the amount of time and effort that went into the production. The sets and the costumes were mindblowing from the very beginning.
[Although I’d like someone to explain to me why did the producers think that there must be hay on the floor of the great hall of WF in the early seasons, like, what’s the thought behind it? They’re Northerners, therefore dirty? Uncivilized? Or what?]
The documentaries on the production spend very little time on these things, because they focus on the filming and the special effects, but sets and costumes are those that make a different world real, and it’s art.
It has happened that I bought such books for presents, but never one for myself. I doubt anyone appreciated them more than me though; art is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.
Wind is terrible in so many ways 🙁 Skirts in the wind is never ideal T___T
I don’t wear many skirts or long dresses (just in costume!) but I, myself, love the look of them! And I hear, for those who voluntarily venture outside into the sun, that skirts allow a nice cool breeze 😉
Also, thank you for saying such kind things!
Jenny,
What did you think of the latest HDM? 🙂
I hope we see less of these literally sentences 😉
My choice was the updated fur coat. Those dragon scales were an amazing addition to an already gorgeous ensemble.
Sansa’s Coronation gown was completely stunning. The details that showcased her beloved family members were quite touching.
The costume department deserves every award imaginable. I’m only an amateur seamstress and am in awe of the intricate embroidery, the variety of fabrics and decorative amour.
GOT was a true feast for the eyes and ears in multiple ways.
Jenny,
The asymmetry is a nod to Arya!
__________
I didn’t notice that subtle nod to Arya! Or to Sansa’s other family members in her coronation gown.
• While the main reason for that is I don’t have an eye for fashion, part of it was that the lighting of the QitN coronation scene and the quick edits back and forth between Sansa, Arya and Jon in that S8e6 concluding montage made it difficult (for me) to appreciate the design, detailing and embroidery of Sansa’s coronation gown. (She did look lovely when the camera moved in for a lingering close-up of her face and her long lustrous red hair topped by that beautiful crown. 🧚♀️)
Here’s the S8e6 Concluding Montage of Sansa, Arya & Jon, including Sansa’s coronation at 2:43-3:05:
[BTW: I just noticed a neat little edit. At 2:06-2:19, a close-up up of Ghost cuts right to a close-up of the direwolf prow of Arya’s ship (christened the S.S. Nymeria in my head-canon).]
• Compare that with the S7e4 (sparring) scene introducing cleaned-up Arya’s spiffy new costume. The lighting, framing and cinematography enhanced (my) appreciation of the homages to Ned in Arya’s combat suit and hairdo (e. g., at 0:17-0:52; 1:06-1:12; and 1:32-1:42.)
I would’ve missed all of that with dim lighting and quick jump-cuts.
Note: These comparisons are observations. not criticisms.
Adrianacandle,
🙂
I loved it, it was sooooo sad though! I hope Mrs Coulter will be back next week, she should be. I think I understand why they have put the Will stuff in so early, its so that they don’t have to spend 2-3 episodes on him without any Lyra in S2. I think they are just putting the events in the correct order as the beginning of the Subtle Knife takes place during Northern Lights.
I’m getting excited about the Witcher now, it comes to Netflix on the 20th, I wouldn’t have picked Henry Cavill as Geralt though, so I’m dubious. I think NCW would have made a great Geralt.
I can’t wait. Henry Cavill is the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Dayum.
Uh, I mean, I’m interested in the series as well. *cough*
Pigeon,
Oh yes he is a beautiful man. I think I prefer him pre Superman though, back in his Tudor days when he was half the size. Not to objectify him or anything…
I’m a little bit in love with Yennefer as well, so I really hope they do her justice, such a great character.
He definitely got stacked for his action roles, for sure. I get a little nervous when people start looking like you could pop them with a pin. I remember seeing him on one of the British detective shows I watched back when he was 19 or so, and thinking “Okkkk….he’ll go places.” 😆
I saw a clip of him from Jimmy Kimmel last night (yeah, it takes a lot for me to watch that show), and he addressed the inevitable comparison to the Mother of Dragons. 😆
https://youtu.be/oO-5dtlOyBM
Yes to Yennefer! I really hope they do her right as well. ❤
Ten Bears,
I just watched and rewatched that ending, and realized several things – now that its been several months, given what I know and with the different discussions I’ve read here, can watch that sequence without any question in my mind and heart that this indeed worked. I caught all of the bits of costume, and slight expression in faces. And I realized that the last bit is reminesant of the trailer where Jon, Cersie and Dany are all walking toward a throne to sit down. Interesting; thanks for posting that, and finally realized how much the music, esp this last piece, meant to the story.
BTW right at the end of that video, there is a print of the entire cast in the background, covered by lots of ads. Is there a way of getting that photo without distraction?
Sansa’s coronation gown, no qustion about it.
Michele Clapton was able to pack so much symbolism (https://i.redd.it/rh2vlglyffz21.jpg) into one outfit is an incredible.
ash,
”BTW right at the end of that video, there is a print of the entire cast in the background, covered by lots of ads. Is there a way of getting that photo without distraction?”
——-
That’s strange. I played back and replayed back that video {S8e6 Sansa, Arya, Jon concluding montage] and did not have any ads at all obscuring the still photo of the entire cast at the end of the video.
Sometimes when I get annoying ads at the beginning of a YouTube video, I’ll immediately reload the video by pressing the “Share” arrow and clicking “Share this video.” It will usually reload and begin without the stupid ad.
(Jeez…When a company monetizes a video and aggravates me by wasting my time with its ad, I vow to never buy any of that company’s products ever again.)
I do like that still photo of the entire cast. I wonder if I that image can be found online. I’ll try to look…
ash,
”I just watched and rewatched that ending, and realized several things – now that it’s been several months, given what I know and with the different discussions I’ve read here, I can watch that sequence without any question in my mind and heart that this indeed worked. I caught all of the bits of costume, and slight expression in faces.”
_______
I kind of realized that too. There were lots of scenes that flew by the first time around, especially those that were split up and intercut with others to form what I call a “montage.”
I could make the same observation about “The Long Night.” The many jump-cuts to different characters during a battle scene, it felt like a “blink and you missed it” viewing experience. For example, my favorite scene of S8e3 was ASNAWP slicing and dicing wights with her customized double-tipped weapon, but it only lasted several seconds. Rewatching it later was better, and made it seem to last longer.
I noticed the same thing upon rewatching the S8e6 concluding montage video to isolate the time-counter numbers for my 11:39 am comment with the embedded video links.
Perhaps there’s just so much going on in a scene that it’s almost impossible to absorb it all the first time. Between the costuming, music, production. design, acting, dialogue, backgrounds and extras (and everything else I don’t even notice), there are details I won’t catch until the fifth or sixth viewing.
Speaking of which… (Whinge Warning ⚠️)
Goddamit! Ghost’z still missing an ear! Why didn’t plastic surgeon Samwell Tarly, M.D. do some grafting and reconstruction? Didn’t Ghost save Sam’s a*s when those dirtbag NW brothers were about to assault Gilly and beat Sam to death? If memory serves correctly, didn’t Ghost earn credit for serving as Sam’s Wingman for his hook-up with Gilly?
That’s the downside of seeing details on rewatch. Poor Ghost. 😥 Wounded warrior.
Agreed with everything! (And with comments about Henry Cavill from you and Pigeon! ;D)
This week’s episode was really good! At first, I was shocked by the content from Subtle Knife featuring so early but yeah, I think I’m getting it now for the reasons you’ve said. I like how they’re trying to install those connections early so, while we’re getting to know Lyra, we’re introduced to Will in our world.
I’m really excited for next week — I think it’s going to involve one of my favourite scenes from the book 🙂 🙂 🙂
Q: I read the blurb you linked about the design of Sansa’s gown, i.e. it “honored all her family.” In particular, it said that “the crown was for Robb.”
I thought Sansa’s crown was beautiful. However, I did not see anything about it that linked it to Robb. What’d I miss?
There is something about that crown that’s strongly reminiscent of something I’ve seen before. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s not Robb though.
cucucat,
Update: Michelle Clapton, on Instagram, explained the influences Sansa’s coronation gown (including Margaery Tyrell), and that “the Crown is two howling direwolves. Nothing is created without meaning.”
https://www.insider.com/game-of-thrones-sansa-queen-costume-symbolism-photos-2019-5/
Ten Bears,
let me know if you find it!
The details of that dress were just amazing. Did Sansa get to take that dress (I know each actor was allowed one item)? Really looking forwrd to that costume book and think it would be cool if the outfits went on tour!
Daenerys’ black leather embossed riding coat, with red details.
Another poll I managed to miss but if I had voted I would have with ‘queen Sansa’. I really like the look of the Dany outfit but it always nagged me how she got these outfits given she just had an army with her and no handmaids of any sort.