Costumes aren't just clothes in Westeros. They are heavy. They are itchy. Honestly, if you aren't feeling a bit of neck strain from a velvet cape or the weight of a resin-cast brooch, are you even doing a House of the Dragon costume right?
The shift from Game of Thrones to the prequel era wasn't just about adding more dragons. It was a massive aesthetic pivot. Costume designer Janany Yates (who took over from the legendary Michele Clapton for the first season) and later Caroline McCall had a specific challenge: showing the Targaryens at the absolute height of their wealth. This isn't the "scrounging for a boat" era of Daenerys. This is the "we own the sky and the treasury" era.
If you're planning to recreate these looks, you've gotta understand the texture. It’s not about finding the cheapest polyester satin at the craft store. It’s about the "lived-in" decadence.
The Red and Black Palette is a Trap
Most people see a Targaryen and think: red and black. Easy, right?
Actually, it's a nightmare of shades. For Rhaenyra’s adult costumes, the production team didn't just use "red." They used deep garnets, dried-blood crimsons, and burnt oranges that look black in low light. When you’re building a House of the Dragon costume, the biggest mistake is picking a bright, "party store" red. It looks flat on camera and even flatter in person.
The fabrics used on set are often vintage silks or custom-woven brocades. For the common cosplayer or enthusiast, you’re looking for upholstery fabric. Seriously. Go to the back of the fabric store where the heavy curtain materials are. That’s where the Targaryen weight lives.
Why the Velaryons Stole the Show
Let’s talk about the Sea Snake. Corlys Velaryon’s outfits are arguably more complex than the King’s. While the Targaryens are all about old-money dragon scales and Draconic motifs, the Velaryons are new-money maritime moguls.
Their silhouettes are different. They use "sea-foam" silvers and teals. The standout piece for any Velaryon House of the Dragon costume is the doublet with the pleated, almost gill-like textures. It’s a subtle nod to their seafaring nature. If you’re making this, you aren't just sewing a shirt; you're architectural engineering a garment to look like it survived a salt-spray gale and came out looking expensive.
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The Secret Language of Embroidery
The embroidery in this show isn't just decoration. It’s a spoiler.
Look at Alicent Hightower. When she shifts from that soft, innocent Targaryen red to the "Oldtown Green," the costume isn't just a color change. The construction becomes more restrictive. The collars get higher. The jewelry—specifically that massive seven-pointed star—becomes a weapon.
If you are putting together an Alicent House of the Dragon costume, the jewelry is more important than the dress. That gold star represents her alliance with the Faith. It’s her armor.
- Find a heavy-weight velvet. It needs to have a "short pile" so it doesn't look like a 1970s tracksuit.
- Focus on the bodice structure. These dresses aren't floppy. They are structured with boning or heavy interfacing to give that rigid, royal posture.
- Don't forget the grime. Even the queens have dusty hems.
Daemon Targaryen and the "Rogue Prince" Aesthetic
Daemon is the one everyone wants to be. Why? The armor.
Matt Smith’s dragon-scale armor is a masterpiece of costume design. It’s dark, matte, and looks like it’s seen a hundred skirmishes in the Stepstones. If you're 3D printing or foam-smithing this House of the Dragon costume, please, for the love of the Old Gods, don't leave it shiny.
The trick to a realistic Daemon look is "weathering." You take your beautiful silver or black paint job and you ruin it. Hit it with some "Agrax Earthshade" (if you're a mini painter) or just some watered-down brown acrylic. Focus on the crevices of the scales. Real armor gathers dirt.
And that dragon-wing helmet? It’s top-heavy. On set, these pieces are often carbon fiber or lightweight plastics, but they still have to look like heavy Valyrian steel.
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The Hair Problem
We have to talk about the wigs. The "Silver-Gold" of the Targaryens is notoriously hard to get right.
Most cheap wigs are "Cosplay White," which looks like a fluorescent lightbulb on your head. Real Targaryen hair has depth. It has honey tones, platinum streaks, and a bit of warmth. If your House of the Dragon costume includes a wig, you need to "lowlight" it. Take a beige or light blonde alcohol marker and draw strands into the wig. It breaks up the synthetic shine and makes it look like real hair that grew out of a real human scalp.
Why Texture Beats Accuracy Every Time
You can have the exact pattern used by the HBO tailors, but if you use the wrong fabric, it will look like a costume. If you use the right fabric, it looks like clothes.
The distinction is massive.
The show uses a lot of "boiled wool" and heavy linens for the lower-ranking characters or the "casual" dragonrider gear. Think about the scene where Rhaenyra and Daemon are walking through the streets of King’s Landing. They aren't in silks. They are in rough-spun cloaks. That’s the real vibe.
Buying vs. Making
If you’re buying a pre-made House of the Dragon costume from a site like EZCosplay or ProCosplay, you’re getting a base. Don't just wear it out of the bag.
- Swap the buttons: Plastic buttons are a dead giveaway. Replace them with metal or wood.
- Ditch the "gold" trim: Most cheap costumes use a shiny yellow-gold ribbon. Rip it off. Replace it with a "muted gold" or "antique bronze" trim from a craft store.
- Iron it: This sounds simple, but 90% of bad cosplay is just wrinkled fabric.
The Evolution of the Crown
The crowns in House of the Dragon are different from Joffrey’s or Robert’s. They are more primitive and more "Valyrian."
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Viserys’s crown (which Rhaenyra eventually claims) is a mix of gold and silver, symbolizing the union of the houses. It’s not a perfect circle; it has an organic, almost forged-in-fire look. If you’re making this as part of your House of the Dragon costume, avoid the temptation to make it perfectly symmetrical. The beauty is in the slight imperfections of the "dragon-metal."
Essential Checklist for Your Build
Don't just wing it. If you want that "Discover-worthy" look that gets you stopped at every convention or noticed on social media, follow this weirdly specific logic:
- The Undergarments: You need a chemise or a slip. These heavy outer fabrics don't sit right against bare skin. They need a layer of cotton or linen underneath to "bulk" the silhouette naturally.
- The Cape Weight: If your cape doesn't pull slightly at your shoulders, it's too light. Use drapery weights sewn into the hem to give it that "cinematic" swing when you walk.
- The Rings: Targaryens wear a lot of rings. Big ones. On almost every finger. Don't skip the hands; they are in almost every "regal" pose you'll take.
A Quick Word on the Greens vs. the Blacks
The "Dance of the Dragons" is a civil war of color. If you're grouping up with friends, coordinate your tones. The "Blacks" (Rhaenyra’s faction) should have a unified look of heavy blacks, deep reds, and charcoal greys. The "Greens" (Alicent’s faction) should stick to emerald, forest green, and gold.
When you stand together, the contrast is what makes the House of the Dragon costume pop. It’s the visual storytelling of the conflict.
How to Handle the Dragon Scale Effect
The dragon scale texture is everywhere. It’s on the doublets, the boots, even the sleeves.
You don't have to sew a thousand individual scales. You can use a technique called "smocking" or use a stencil with fabric paste to create a raised, 3D effect. It’s much faster and looks more like the "dragon-skin" leather the show uses.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Build
If you’re starting your House of the Dragon costume today, don't start with the dress. Start with the research.
- Screenshot the 4K feeds. Don't rely on promo photos; they are often edited or use different lighting. Look at the "behind the scenes" features on Max to see the costumes in natural light.
- Order swatches. If you're buying fabric online, never buy 5 yards of something you haven't touched. Get the samples. See how they catch the light.
- Focus on the "V-Shape." Both male and female Targaryen silhouettes focus on broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist. This is achieved through shoulder pads and heavy belts.
- Weather your boots. Nothing ruins a great outfit like brand-new, un-scuffed shoes. Take some sandpaper to the toes of your boots. Drag them through some actual dirt.
The goal isn't to look like you're wearing a costume. The goal is to look like you just stepped off a dragon and you're about to argue about your birthright in a drafty throne room. Weight, texture, and a little bit of "lived-in" grime will get you there every time.