From The Straits Times    |

Hollywood stars as varied as Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lawrence, Anna Kendrick and Laurence Fishburne are out and proud Game of Thrones fans; even American president Barack Obama himself personally requested for early preview episodes.

Now, pop queen Madonna has proudly proclaimed her love for hit HBO series Game of Thrones, to the point of dressing up exactly like the “mother of dragons” Daenerys Targaryen, as seen in the television series. In March 2014, the pop icon reportedly contacted HBO, to ask to borrow the costume to wear for the Purim Jewish holiday.

But unlike Madonna, most of us won’t be able to raid HBO’s costume closet. Yet with the season four premiere of Game of Thrones getting ever closer, what better way is there for fans to celebrate, than to dress up like the characters at your episode viewing bash?

The big question now, is to figure out how to do it, without splurging on a full medieval costume from eBay.

Besides finding the right dress, it could be said that the accessories and hair styling are the things that make or break your Game of Thrones-inspired look. Here, we share six affordable tips on dressing like the medieval-theme of this fantasy television series, without having to splurge on a costume you’d only wear for Halloween.

1. The right dress
Thanks to the geographic diversity of the Seven Kingdoms in Game of Thrones, there are more than a few costume ideas to choose from; like the summer-appropriate styles of the courtly King’s Landing or the short-sleeved long dresses of the Summer Islands.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister and Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones Season 3. Image: HBO, via IMDB

To be frank, even Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton doesn’t stick strictly to Medieval-inspired fashion; she takes stylish cues from Japanese and Persian-style clothing, among her many varied sources of inspiration.

For fans who prefer the regal style of King’s Landing, they could consider full-length gowns; dresses that they can actually re-wear for other special occasions.

Choose dresses with v-shaped, Japanese-style necklines, where one layer of fabric overlaps with the other at the bust, like on a kimono. Embroidered details add to the appearance that you’re wearing regal-like finery.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones Season 3. Image: HBO, via IMDB

But if you’re planning to dress like a commoner from one of the seven kingdoms of Game of Thrones, simply pick the oldest loose and long-sleeved separates that you can find to age into that deliberately erm, “well weathered” look.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume

For obvious reasons, we won’t suggest wearing fur like the Wildings, Ygritte (as played by Rose Leslie) and Tormund Giantsbane (Kristofer Hivju), but you can take cues from their “unwashed” appearance. Image: HBO

2. Braids up
Let’s be realistic ‒ most of us, unlike Lady Sansa or queen Daenerys ‒ have neither the time nor the handmaidens to help braid our tresses as beautifully as they so, so braided headbands like this particular one from Fleamadonna, is one of the easiest way to pretty plaits.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones Season 4. Fake her pretty braids easily with this Fleamadonna braided headband (US$110.00, approximately S$140.17). Image: HBO, SheShops

But if you truly want to look like the very blonde and queenly Daenerys Targaryen, you’re going to have to invest in a quality wig.

This may be the most costly option, but it’s an investment that’s for keeps. Even actress Emilia Clarke wears a silver blonde wig, that’s been styled and re-styled whenever she plays the Mother of Dragons on screen.

For those who insist on braiding it themselves, we salute you for the effort; check out these video tutorials plus more braid styling tips here. Be sure to check out our beauty scribe’s super-detailed makeup guide to acing Daenerys’ glowing skin and pretty pink pout too.

For the male fans, keep your hair unwashed and grow out your beard. Vaseline, we hear, helps muss up the hair further. You’re not guaranteed to smoulder like beefcake actor Kit Harington (who bulked up for the recent Pompeii movie) but props to you for trying!

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume
Kit Harington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones Season 4. Image: HBO

3. Pile up the accessories
If it’s too late for you to order the official Game of Thrones talisman necklaces, not to fret, simply keep an eye out for animal-shaped pendant necklaces, preferably similar to the glinting gold lions and direwolves of the respective fictive Houses of Lannister and Stark in Game of Thrones. Plus, you can actually re-wear these pieces for other occasions too.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume
The Valentino Spring Summer 2014 collection (far left) and more accessories in the style of Game of Thrones — Acbine stackable rings (US$120), Samantha Willis collar necklace (US$160) and Kanupriya emblem necklace (US$315). Images: Showbit, SheShops

Another easy option is to wear accessories with a rose motif, which is the sigil of House Tyrell. If a delicate rose ring is fit for a queen like the fresh-faced queen Margaery Tyrell, it’s certainly fit for you too.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume

Natalie Dormer as Margaery Tyrell and Diana Rigg as Olenna Tyrell in Game of Thrones Season 4. Image: HBO

Don’t miss out on those bronze and silver cuffs and bangles. Pick ones with a rugged, deliberately unfinished feel to ape the look of the hand-soldered jewellery of eons ago.

4. The redder, the better
Lady Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) wears it, the priestess Melisandre (Carice van Houten) wears it. Is it any surprise that the wealthy, as well as the power-hungry and powerful all do don this rich hue?

Characters like Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Melisandre are also known for their striking red locks; what better time to turn into a redhead too?

Game of Thrones star Kekilli ‘felt naked’ in scenes without Tyrion

Sophie Turner as Sansa and Peter Dinklage as Tyrion in Game of Thrones Season 4. Image: HBO

Melisandre is referred to as the Red Woman for good reason; besides her dedication to the Lord of the Light, the fiery spells and her auburn tresses, this priestess also favours wearing the hue from head-to-toe. In some ways, you could say that fans who try to dress like Melisandre do have it easy.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume

Carice van Houten as Melisandre and as Stephen Dillane as Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones Season 3. Image: HBO, via IMDB

Need we add the obvious bloodletting reference? In a show where practically every character could die at any time (and do), reds of every tone are a predictably common sight. So just sit back and embrace the blood-spilling, while dressed to match the battles and kills seen on-screen.

Or you could join Dany ‒ what Daenerys, now the Queen of Meeren is affectionately known as ‒ by choosing her preferred palette of silver and blues. A cape will also give your look an added Game of Thrones-styled flourish; which brings us to our next point …

5. Cape it
A cape can swiftly add that regal feel to your look. Just look at how Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) wears hers, so effortlessly. In more reel to real inspiration, just recall Gwyneth Paltrow’s gorgeous caped Tom Ford gown at the 2012 Academy Awards.

6 steps to dressing in Game of Thrones style, without buying a costume

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones Season 4. Image: HBO

This is a ridiculously easy do-it-yourself for your Game of Thrones viewing party, especially if you’re unfussy about the make and quality of your cape; this is for your ‒ and your hopefully non-judgmental Game of Thrones enthusiasts’ ‒ eyes’ only.

You can easily use any bit of cloth bought from Spotlight Singapore or other fabric stores. Simply sling it over your shoulders, then fasten it with a brooch at your collarbone, just as Dany has done. We can’t promise that you’ll look as regal as Emilia Clarke but at the very least we’ll give you props for trying (and maybe failing).

6. Buy a dragon
If you still can’t find any of the aforementioned items in time ‒ or perhaps you’re still growing out your short pixie crop ‒ the easiest way to show your support, is to bring a mini mascot with you. And we concede, this vinyl figurine of Daenerys’ fire-breathing dragon child is nearly too adorable for any fan to resist.

Game of Thrones Season 4 airs in Singapore on April 13, 2014 at 10pm on HBO/HBO HD (StarHub TV Ch 601); episodes are also available for viewing on demand via HBO On Demand from April 21.

Get these Game of Thrones-inspired looks, on SheShops now:
Fleamadonna braided headband
Bless’ed Are The Meek Amour Maxi

Acbine Guardian Angel and Rose Stackable Rings
Kanupriya Midnight Cuff
Samantha Willis Tomorrows Adventure Cuff
Samantha Willis Beautiful Nightmare Bracelet Set
Samantha Willis Cleopatra Bangle
Ryui Kei Annaco Bracelet

Kanupriya The King’s Emblem Necklace
Samantha Willis Forever Rose Collar Necklace
Mandy Wu Verena Necklace
Mandy Wu Zandra Necklace
Edge of Ember Tomei Blue Diamond Necklace
Daydream Nation Circle of Life Collar Necklace