Image via Complex Original
“Fashion” may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think of HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones, but the show’s exquisite costumes are a huge part of what makes it such a visual feat. GoT, which premiered back in 2011, now enters its 7th season on July 16; since then, we’ve seen characters come and go and slain brutally. We’ve also seen all sorts of Westeros styles, from the best and worst dressed. The show’s costume designer Michele Clapton has been nominated for an Emmy every year, with two wins under her belt. It’s no surprise, seeing all the detailed armor, luxurious robes, and flowy gowns that have adorned the characters. But there’s so much more to style than just the costumes: there’s also the hair and the attitude that make the whole package. So, who has the most steez of them all? Below, we ranked the top eight most stylish characters from Game of Thrones.
8. Jaime Lannister
Nicknamed the “Kingslayer,” Jaime Lannister slays in other ways too: in the wardrobe department, of course! The Lannisters are full of questionable (but fashionable) folks, and between the Lannister twins, Cersei’s incestuous twin brother wins out because of that badass leather jacket. It’s slightly weathered in that purposefully high-fashion Indiana Jones way, and looks like it’d go for several thousand dollars at a designer store. Jaime wears earth tones best, and he looks just as good in that tan coat with the peeking leather collar that matches the waves of his perfectly parted hair. In fact, he looks good in all hairstyles, even when he rocks it short with the scruff. We’re not saying we’re a fan of Jaime’s ways, but whether he’s in leather or armor, the dude has never looked bad.
7. Jon Snow
Jon Snow is not only one of Game of Thrones’ most iconic characters, he’s also among Westeros’ most handsome fellas. That hair! Those effortless locks! Thank god he came back to life so we can ogle him (and those curls) some more. Jon Snow is more of a one-outfit kind of guy but who can blame him when that one look is so iconic? As part of the Night’s Watch, he was required to wear a head-to-toe black uniform, but he made it look couture chic, especially with that straight-off-the-runway fur around his neck. Lately, he’s been wearing his hair shorter and slicked back, and we didn’t think it was possible but he’s somehow gotten even more good-looking.
6. Oberyn Martell
Has anyone looked better in gold than Oberyn Martell? Though this prince has appeared in only seven episodes, he’ll forever be remembered for his royal style. There’s his trademark yellow coat-dress with sun-shaped embellishments that he accessorized with a long leather belt. It swings effortlessly when he wears it. But there’s also the fancier, upgraded version, which is the shiny gold robe tailored to perfection and detailed with an exquisite pattern. Even in his death—and a brutal one at that—Oberyn Martell looked stylish. Born with style, dead with style.
5. Margaery Tyrell
You’ve got to dress for the job you want, and Margaery Tyrell always knew to dress like a queen if she were to become one. She died before she got to wear the crown, but her fashion makes her a kween in our book. Over the past few seasons, Margaery modeled some of Westeros’ most fashionable looks. She had a penchant for baby blue hues and fashion-forward shapes including midriff-baring dresses, cross-open backs, and cut-off shoulders. Margaery usually wears her hair long and regal but on special occasions, she’ll rock an updo like no other.
4. Joffrey Baratheon
Joffrey may not have been a fan favorite on the show, but this mini psycho can rock a statement piece like no other: See that glorious crown, sitting atop his tousled blonde hair. The young king never had a shortage of fancy fits, especially in crimson tones. There’s the crimson sash that wraps around his gold, patterned king’s gown, but also various collared dress shirts from the same color palette that boast his status of money and power. Plus, crimson reflects the body count under his belt.
3. Sansa Stark
If anyone can give Melisandre (see below) a run for her money when it comes to the battle of ginger locks, it’s Sansa Stark, whose beautiful red hair—whether flowing in loose waves or braided to the side—is the highlight to any of her outfits. Sansa is one of the few people in Westeros who can wear a furry collar better than her half-brother Jon Snow. Even in a more demure, hooded look, Sansa has natural style. Her best look is probably her regal wedding dress, but that episode remains Game of Thrones’ most controversial.
2. Young Melisandre
Melisandre in her true form is not much of a looker—she’s a frail old lady with stringy white hair. But Melisadre in her young, hellish form will make you do a double-take and then some. She’s called the Red Woman, or the Red Priestess, and that part is pretty self-explanatory: She’s got beautiful crimson locks, usually pinned back on top and free and flowing on the bottom, and is always dressed in the hue of blood. It’s hard to pull off the single-color palette, but Melisandre absolutely kills it. Whatever shade of red she’s wearing, Melisandre looks 100 at all times—plus she’s got a fiery gaze to match. Now cue “Lady in Red.”
1. Daenerys Targaryen
And the number one most stylish Game of Thrones character goes to Daenerys Targaryen, mother of dragons! Daenerys’ style is more fire than a dragon’s breath, and she’s got blonde hair that’ll give anyone bleach envy. She’s a fighter, but she always looks on top of her game, whether she's rocking a caped blue gown or that structural white dress that looks very Solange Knowles on her wedding day. There’s no one who looks as good as Daenerys in all of Westeros—and certainly no one who rocks a braid like she does.