Game of Thrones Costumes: Hidden Meanings Behind the Wardrobe Game of Thrones costumes carry hidden meanings, from The Hound's dog helm to Daenerys' final outfit, revealing character arcs and power shifts. Game of Thrones, the groundbreaking HBO series based on George R.R. Martin's books, changed television with its epic scale and intricate worldbuilding. A key element of that worldbuilding is its costume design, crafted by Michele Clapton and April Ferry. The costumes are not just visually striking; they carry hidden meanings that reveal character transformations and political allegiances. From The Hound's dog-inspired armor to Daenerys Targaryen's final outfit, each garment tells a story. The Hound's Dog-Inspired ArmorSandor Clegane, known as The Hound, is Joffrey Lannister's bodyguard and one of the most formidable fighters in Game of Thrones. Brutal, cynical, and haunted by a lifelong terror of fire after his brother burned his face, he is also one of the most complex characters. Not everyone could pull off the giant dog's head helm he wears in combat, but it suits him perfectly. House Clegane's sigil is three black dogs, so the helm is fitting for his family name, but it also covers most of his face when open, hiding his burns from onlookers and keeping people from getting too close due to the menacing design. Actor Rory McCann was rarely seen wearing it onscreen due to its weight, but this allowed the costume to make an impact every time it appeared.Sansa Stark's Wedding DressSansa's wedding dress looks extravagant and luxurious at first glance, but there is more to the costume than meets the eye. Virtually all of the costumes in Game of Thrones tell stories of their own, and this is one of the best examples in the show. Forced to marry Tyrion so that the Lannister family could seize control of the North, the dress is a physical representation of the gilded cage holding Cersei Lannister's little dove. The flowing fabric disguises the fact that the dress is extremely restrictive, and while most characters who marry in the show wear the colors of their own House or a combination of the two Houses involved, Sansa is draped in Lannister gold. The embroidery shows a lion licking at her arm, and one stamped on the back of her neck, making the dress one of Sansa Stark's most symbolic costumes.Alicent Hightower's Green GownAlicent Hightower's green gown is objectively beautiful and fitting for a fantasy TV series like House of the Dragon, but just as in Game of Thrones, the moment she appears in it is loaded with symbolism. When House Hightower calls its people to war, its beacon turns green, and when Alicent, who previously wore Targaryen colors, appears in the gown in the episode We Light The Way, it is a signal that she has chosen a side. The scene is one of the best in the series, with Alicent interrupting King Viserys' speech at Rhaenyra's wedding, both stealing the attention from the couple and calling her allies to war in the only way that she can as a woman in the court. This moment sets up the battle between the Greens and the Blacks, while highlighting the power of a showstopping entrance and outfit.Jaime Lannister's Shining ArmorJaime Lannister makes an impression, with his shining golden armor and hair resembling a typical fairytale prince in an attempt to combat the reputation Jaime has as the Kingslayer. His first scenes in Game of Thrones establish Jaime as an excellent fighter and his family as extraordinarily wealthy, and even when he is denied the opportunity to fight Robb Stark, the armor appears to say it all for him. However, we find out almost immediately that the armor is working exactly as intended, not just protecting Jaime from enemy blows, but from people who might look too closely. Dazzled by the visual impact he has, his dark secret remains hidden. Jaime Lannister's evolution through Game of Thrones plays out through his clothing choices, but first impressions are hard to forget, and this costume is one of his greatest.Daenerys Targaryen's Final OutfitMany of the Game of Thrones characters could be considered among the best dressed characters in TV history, and Daenerys Targaryen has been a style icon from her very first scene. Virtually all of Emilia Clarke's costumes are incredible feats of design and symbolism, but her final evolution into the Mad Queen gives us a design that is both striking and disturbing. Red and black are the Targaryen colors, but Daenerys' outfit turns this into a symbol of her bloody past, with the outfit changing from black to red the further to the ground it goes. This visual progression mirrors her descent into tyranny, making it one of the most powerful costumes in the series.