Yes, the 'Game of Thrones' Costumes "Always" Have a Hidden Meaning

It's been said that Sansa's hairstyles are influenced by her interactions with other characters on the show. Is this true of her costumes too?

MC: Yes, absolutely. I think you can see that she is influenced throughout her journey until she finally comes into her own style in season seven. The look is a culmination of her difficult story. The "Little Bird" initially copied the style of Cersei, when she first arrives in Kings Landing. She then retreats to the cut of her mother's costume, a refuge, showing how she feels, wounded and scared, but she can’t speak it…. She tells of her pain through embroidery and color.

Later Littlefinger’s look influences her as they travel to Winterfell. This is post–her dramatic statement black feather dress, her dark Sansa look. This was supposed to imply that she now understands that she can learn and take from those that hurt her. She copies Littlefinger’s look not because she’s impressed by him, but that she needs him. She suffered at the hands of Joffrey, her mother's sister and Ramsey; this influences the design of the belt in season seven that wraps around her body, protecting her. The wrap-over front and laced dress, the shorter length and the stitched, quilted heavy cloth, all tell of protection and the ease of movement if needed.

There is also reference in the fabric to her mother's family's sigil, the fish, and the fur cape at her neck [shows] respect to her father's family, the Starks.

All the women in season eight seem to have more strong-looking shoulders and other symbols of power. Is that intentional?

MC: Yes, the silhouette of the women is strong and their bodies are covered. [It's] partly due to climate but more than that, they are not using their sexuality to achieve or claim power, unlike Margaery, for instance, earlier in the show. We’ve moved beyond that. They have all had a journey, some harder than others. They’ve all been abused or disrespected by men, usually, simply because they are women. They all want power, some at any cost! Except maybe Arya, who wants freedom.