Video games usually suck at clothes. Seriously. Most high-fantasy RPGs fall into two camps: either you're wearing a brown potato sack for the first twenty hours, or you’re strapped into "armor" that looks like a spiky, over-designed nightmare from a 2004 heavy metal album cover. Then Sandfall Interactive showed up. When the first trailer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dropped, the internet didn't just talk about the turn-based combat or the weird, haunting world inspired by the Belle Époque. They talked about the coats. The embroidery. The sheer, unapologetic style of the Expedition 33 outfits.
It feels different.
The game is set in a world where a Paintress wakes up once a year to paint a number on a monolith. Everyone of that age turns to smoke. This year, the number is 33. It's a grim, surrealist setup that demands a specific kind of visual language. Sandfall opted for a 19th-century French aesthetic, but they turned the dial up to eleven. We aren't just looking at gear with stats; we’re looking at characters who look like they stepped off a Parisian runway while preparing to fight a god.
The Belle Époque Influence is Everywhere
You can't talk about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 outfits without acknowledging the historical weight behind them. The Belle Époque—the "Beautiful Era"—was a period in French history defined by optimism, regional peace, and a massive explosion in the arts. It was the time of the Moulin Rouge, Art Nouveau, and incredibly intricate tailoring.
Look at Gustave, the protagonist. He isn't wearing a leather chestpiece. He’s wearing a tailored longcoat with gold filigree and structured shoulders. The fabric has weight. In the high-definition renders provided by the developers, you can actually see the weave of the textile. This isn't just a texture map stretched over a 3D model; it looks like something a tailor actually had to stitch together.
The design philosophy here is "historical fantasy," but it leans harder into the "historical" part than most games dare. We see high collars, cravats, and waistcoats. These are the clothes of people who value dignity even as their world is literally being painted out of existence. It creates a fascinating contrast. You’re in a desolate, supernatural landscape, but your lapels are crisp.
Why Texture Matters in Expedition 33
The clothing in this game serves a dual purpose. First, it’s eye candy. Unreal Engine 5 allows for a level of detail where silk looks like silk and heavy wool looks appropriately abrasive. But second, it grounds the characters. In a world where a giant floating woman can erase your soul with a brushstroke, having a character in a tactile, believable outfit makes them feel human.
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Take Maelle’s design. It’s elegant but functional for a duelist. Her silhouette is sharp. The way the light catches the metallic embroidery on her sleeves during a parry isn't just a cool effect—it’s a reminder of the craftsmanship Sandfall is pouring into this world. Honestly, it’s refreshing. We’ve had years of "gritty" games where everything is covered in a layer of mud. Here, color matters. The deep blues, rich reds, and shimmering golds of the Expedition 33 outfits tell a story of a culture that refused to go quietly.
Customization and the "Lume" System
While the developers have been somewhat tight-lipped about the full extent of the inventory system, we know that customization is a core pillar. You aren't stuck with one look.
In most RPGs, you find a helmet that has +5 strength but looks like a bucket, and you’re forced to wear it. Sandfall seems to understand that players hate looking like a junk drawer. The gear you find in the world isn't just about numbers. There is a clear emphasis on maintaining the "Expedition" look. You’re finding pieces that fit the aesthetic.
- Gloves: Look for intricate leatherwork.
- Capes: These aren't just flat planes of polygons; they have physics that react to the wind of the wasteland.
- Masks: A recurring motif in the game. Many outfits feature masks that range from elegant masquerade styles to more haunting, porcelain-like faces.
The "Lume" or light-based mechanics of the game also seem to interact with the clothing. In certain environments, the glow from the characters' gear is the only thing illuminating the shadows. It’s a practical application of fashion. Your coat isn't just keeping you warm; it’s literally a beacon in the dark.
Breaking Down the Silhouette
If you're a cosplayer or just a fan of character design, the silhouettes in Expedition 33 are a goldmine. The game uses "Layered Fashion" as a visual shorthand for experience.
Gustave’s silhouette is vertical and imposing. It conveys leadership. Maelle’s is more asymmetrical, allowing for movement. Then you have characters like Lune, whose outfits incorporate more flowing fabrics and mystical elements, reflecting her role as a mage-type character.
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The game avoids the "Bikini Armor" trope entirely. Thank god. Instead, we get outfits that look like they could actually survive a trek across a distorted version of France. There’s a sense of utility. Straps, pouches, and reinforced boots are integrated into the high-fashion look. It’s "tacticool" but for the 1890s.
The Psychological Impact of Dressing for the End of the World
There’s a specific vibe to these outfits that most people miss: defiance.
If you knew you were part of the 33rd—and likely final—expedition to kill the Paintress, would you dress in rags? No. You’d wear your best. The Expedition 33 outfits feel like a uniform of last resort. They are formal. They are prestigious. It’s as if the characters are saying, "If we are the last humans, we will look like the best of humanity."
This adds a layer of "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to the game's world-building. The developers aren't just throwing cool clothes on characters because they look good on a poster. They’ve thought about what a society facing extinction would value. They would value their history. They would value their art. Their clothes are their art.
How to Evaluate Your Gear In-Game
When you finally get your hands on the game, don't just look at the damage reduction. To truly appreciate the work put into these designs, you should:
- Check the drape: Watch how the fabric moves during the turn-based animations. Sandfall has used advanced cloth simulation to ensure that longcoats don't just clip through legs.
- Look at the materials: Different gear sets use different materials. Velvet reacts differently to the game's lighting than polished steel.
- Notice the wear and tear: As the expedition progresses, look for subtle changes. The Belle Époque elegance starts to clash with the grit of the journey.
What This Means for the Future of RPGs
Clair Obscur is setting a high bar. For too long, "realistic" graphics have meant "drab" graphics. This game proves that you can have high-fidelity, realistic textures while maintaining a vivid, imaginative art style. The outfits are the centerpiece of that argument.
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We’re seeing a shift. Players want to look cool, but they also want to look like they belong in the world. The days of mismatched armor sets are hopefully numbered. If Expedition 33 succeeds, expect more studios to hire actual fashion consultants or costume designers rather than just having a concept artist sketch "generic knight #4."
Moving Forward with Your Expedition
If you're planning to dive into the world of Clair Obscur, start thinking about your "look" early. The game rewards exploration, and often, the most visually striking pieces of gear are tucked away in the corners of its surrealist landscapes. Don't rush.
To get the most out of the fashion system, keep an eye on the "Transmog" or "Visual Overlay" features if they are confirmed closer to launch. Most modern RPGs are including them, and given how much work has gone into these coats, it would be a crime to hide them behind a high-stat, ugly alternative.
Pay attention to the color palettes of the gear you find. The game uses a specific color theory to denote different types of "Lume" or energy. Matching your outfit to your build isn't just an aesthetic choice; it’s a way to visually represent your playstyle.
The journey to the Monolith is going to be a long, dangerous crawl through a dying world. You might as well look incredible while doing it. Keep your collars high and your blades sharp.