Game Of Thrones may have had a controversial ending, but the intricate and innovative costume design from the popular HBO fantasy series will be fondly remembered. Costume designer Michelle Clapton had her work cut out for her when it came to designing some of Westeros and Essos’ hottest fashion, and she delivered with several stunning pieces.
Margaery Tyrell stood out as a trendsetter in King’s Landing until her untimely death in the season six finale “The Winds of Winter.” Though her reign as Queen of Westeros was brief, Margaery certainly made an impact with her elaborate costume that said more than she might have meant it to. Here are ten hidden details from Margaery Tyrell’s costumes you didn’t notice.
She Deliberately Dresses Revealing
Margaery was not afraid of using her sexuality to her advantage. Under the tutelage of her grandmother Olenna, also known as the Queen of Thorns, Margaery slowly seduces both Joffrey and Tommen.
When Margaery and her ladies arrive in King’s Landing, they bring with them the more provocative fashion from Highgarden. Margaery herself remarks that she is more accustomed to the warmer climate when Cersei comments on her bold dress.
She Inspires Sansa
Margaery quickly becomes a trendsetter in King’s Landing upon her arrival, influencing the ladies of the court. One of the ladies who is particularly inspired by Margaery is Sansa Stark, who spent years in the Capitol as a captive of the Lannisters following the death of her father Eddard.
Sansa’s clothes mimick Cersei’s in season one before her style dramatically changes. However, after Margaery befriends her Sansa starts to dress more like the Tyrell queen, a symbol of their budding friendship.
The Tyrell Rose Is On All Of Her Costumes
Despite expertly manipulating both Lannister kings, Margaery never wears a single garment that isn’t adorned with the rose that represents her house, signifying her loyalty to House Tyrell above all else.
This shows that despite her ambitions to marry into the royal family, ultimately Margaery serves only her own house. It is a bold statement that parallels Cersei’s decision to constantly wear Lannister colors instead of the colors of her husband Robert Baratheon.
There Are Spiked Thorns On Her Dresses
The female characters on Game Of Thrones often use creative ways to incorporate their house sigils onto their clothing. Daenerys wears dragon-scaled dresses, Cersei gold and crimson armor and Sansa a necklace that doubles as a weapon during later seasons.
As a member of House Tyrell, Margaery wears roses on her wedding gown and each rose is adorned with tiny spikes that double as thorns. Michelle Clapton has stated that this was a conscious decision, as it tells the story of Margaery’s ambition and implies that this beautiful rose has thorns of her own.
She Dresses Differently After Her Imprisonment
After being imprisoned by the Faith Militant, Margaery’s style changes. Instead of her usual skin-baring dresses, the Queen opts for chaste and modest gowns that cover all of her body in an effort to win the High Sparrow’s trust.
This is all a ruse of course, as Margaery manages to give her grandmother a note with the Tyrell rose drawn on it to remind Olenna that Margaery is still a master manipulator. Although her character perishes after Cersei destroys the Sept of Baelor with wildfire, it remains unknown how successfully the Tyrell heiress could have played the religious fanatics.
The Crown She Wears At The Purple Wedding Symbolises Her Power Over Joffrey
Margaery was the only person (besides Tywin Lannister) who seemed to hold any power over Joffrey. The sadistic and spoilt boy king had no respect for anybody, even his mother Cersei. However, Margaery uses her feminity and manipulation skills to slowly seduce the Lannister king and bring him under her spell.
The crown she wears at the Purple Wedding is symbolic of this. Michelle Clapton has stated that the Tyrell rose appears to be growing over and around the stag sigil of House Baratheon to show Margaery’s creeping control over Joffrey.
She Wears The Same Necklace As Sansa At The Purple Wedding
Sansa Stark unknowingly causes the downfall of Joffrey. The amethyst necklace she wears, believing it to be a gift from Ser Dontos, is a conduit for the poison that Olenna discretely slips into Joffrey’s drink, causing the terrible death of a terrible king.
Interestingly, Margaery wears a necklace that is the same replica but in blue. Although the Tyrell queen was oblivious to the plot that killed her second husband, the similarities between the necklaces symbolize that, like Sansa, she too prospered from Joffrey’s death.
She Wears Her House Colors
Despite technically being a Baratheon bride three times, Margaery never wears the gold and black colors of the royal house. Instead, all of her costumes are either blue or gold, symbolizing her ties to House Tyrell.
Despite their differences, this is another similarity between Margaery and her mother-in-law Cersei. The Lannister queen also wears her colors, carving out an identity for herself that isn’t reliant on her husband.
Her First Dress Was Her “Finding Her Look”
Margaery usually dressed impeccably and had undeniable style, though some of her looks from season two were questionable. The box-like dress she wore after Renly’s death was a strange stylistic choice, though Michelle Clapton insists this was a conscious decision on Margaery’s part.
Clapton has stated that Margaery’s box dress was her “finding her look” and being a typical teenage girl. Though it was certainly a misstep, Margaery’s clothing onwards is a significant improvement.
Her Costumes Are A Direct Conflict With Cersei’s
Margaery and Cersei clash from their first meeting. Their clothes represent this; Cersei wears bold pieces in bright crimson adorned with armor, whereas Margaery dresses more traditionally feminine in flowing skirts and silks.
This represents that Margaery is seemingly more open and uses her feminity to charm those around her, whereas Cersei imbibes masculine traits into her clothing to create an aura of strength.
