Visual Storytelling in S8
With no Northern roots of her own, it’s a rare sight to see a Targaryen queen sporting the show’s trademarked Northern braids. A simple hairstyle of two braids brought together and twisted has been on screen multiple times, but only been exclusively worn by Northern women until now.
Adapting to other culture’s style has always been Daenerys; This season is no different, following her philosophy of “Man wants to be the king o’ the rabbits, he best wear a pair o’ floppy ears.“ Yet, it’s this particular cut of her cloak and style of hair that lets us know she’s not only pining for Northern approval, but that of the Stark family and Sansa most of all.
Her white coat is akin to the design of the last one, but with red lining and a red cloak lined with fur. Worn like this, it’s a closer look to the original design Costume designer Michelle Clapton had sketched out.
And of course, it must be white. Clapton explained the color choice as a “definite shift in her look as [Dany] embarks on the mission of aiding Jon’s team trapped north of the Wall.” Michelle has also said that Daenerys’ season 7 wardrobe grew into greys, blues, whites, and stapled with fur to symbolize her “growing affection for the King in the North.” Expect Season 8′s to be more dramatically pronounced of that affection as ever.
While show critics make good points that the entire shift of color-to-black wardrobe in season 7 is not a good reflection of George R.R Martins lively characters, the shift to black was explained as a reflection that “winter is here.” Daenerys shift to white, to help Jon beyond the wall, is not only a reflection of her affection for the KiTN, but of her new commitment. Her wardrobe no longer reflects back on the Throne aspirations of her brother, but a new priority; Killing the white walkers and bringing forward the Spring.
On Jon’s part, at first, I thought he was dressed for a normal occasion. I was confused, because this season is coming storm, a battle of humanity against winter, and he is not wearing his armor. Most noticeably, his iron gorget with two snarling direwolves is missing.
But Jon’s attire here is not a man’s formal tunic. It’s not soft, or embroidered, or woolen. It’s not a look for a king or a lord lounging around in a castle. This is the look of a man in wartime.
He has leather jerkin, and a tough, tunic underneath. He is wearing some armor, just not the traditional Stark look he took after becoming King. This is not the trademarked Northern armor of the Starks, this is a different Jon.
Season 7 marked a peak for Jon’s confidence in himself as a king and as a part of the Stark family. He imitates his father and brother’s style and flaunts the snarling direwolves with pride.
But from the look of leaked pictures of the set, at some point, he wears his Stark armor in the show, but still missing that Stark gorget. This Season 8 Jon resembles Season 6 Jon the most. Not quite a Stark. Unsure of what he is or where he belongs. No direwolves in sight, for a man distraught and unsure of himself.
Yet it’s possible that the simplicity of this black costume reflects back on Jon accepting his Targaryen heritage. It’s possible that Jon has some Targaryen-theme armor to piece together the look, and was opted out of this photoshoot to prevent spoilers. What they couldn’t hide were the Targaryen scale details, similar to those Dany has worn throughout the seasons.
Despite his Targaryen side, the new Northern cloak pieces the whole look together and flaunts Jon’s roots in Winterfell. This is all enhanced by Jon’s bun, an imitation of his father’s style, and an homage of the figure Jon wants to live up to.
Arya undergoes only a slighter shift. Her armor is finer, with studded details befitting of a warrior in the Northern upper class. Like Season 6-7 Jon, she is mirroring her father’s style. Her hair becomes softer, wispier, curlier, and more romantic, no longer the harsh, pulled back hairstyle worn in times of inner conflict.
Cersei is here for war. Decorating her dresses with golden armor and continuing the trend of trying to imitate her father. Hers is a fight for the throne, not the fight for life. It’s clear she will not fight against the white walkers. Her devotion to her throne and status will be her end, for hands of gold are always cold, and winter has arrived.
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