Game of Thrones season 8 spoilers: A closer inspection of a new look

Let’s do some costume analysis of a new look we’ve just seen in filming from Game of Thrones season 8 — and what it could portend for this character.

Warning: Game of Thrones season 8 costumes are now out and about on the Internet … and right here.

It’s been a long, long time since we’ve gotten to really dive deep into a Game of Thrones costume, but fortunately, Watchers on the Wall has discovered pretty clear looks at the latest gown Cersei Lannister might sport in season 8 of the show when it arrives next year from photos originally taken by Slobodna Dalmacija.

As Watchers notes, it’s a pretty clear evolution from all of Cersei’s previous looks. It’s armor-inspired, black and also gold once again, after she opted for more silver accents in recent seasons. So, what does it all mean?

First, let’s take a closer look at the costume in question:

Surprisingly, however, her pauldrons (the shoulder pieces) aren’t actually lions. Presumably that’s too close to Jaime’s signature armor. It seems likely that season 8’s Cersei will effectively claim that she’s the last true Lannister — hence the return of the gold — but might not feel quite secure in that position — and thus not have any lions immediately visible.

However, it’s hard not to read something decidedly leonine in the shape the different gold accents create on her body. It runs right down her torso. She’s also wearing a huge pendant, which you can see the top of in the above photo. One of the other published photos shows that it may actually be in the shape of a lion’s head, which would ruin the entire subtle effect but also be entirely Cersei in its choice. Whatever it is, it’s a large gold item — a symbol of finery that decidedly counters the fact that her kingdom is at war.

Hey, Cersei has always had a sense of the theatrical. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes, you get vaguely tone-deaf nonsense like this.

Indeed, you can contrast it with Jon’s clothes in the above photo, which are nice, but not showy. They’ve always had similar concepts guiding their costuming, and it fits with their characters.

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Also, one brief hair note: Cersei’s hair seems just a little longer yet again. It’s not surprising she would try and grow it out to its original lengths, even though that would take years, probably. It’s a symbol of pride (and beauty) taken away from her that she’d like back, please.