Fashion is Coming: Examining the costumes of “The Iron Throne”

Bran’s kingly attire

“The Iron Throne” is the first time in season 8 that fans see Bran in anything other than heavy furs. Of course, going south and becoming king does require a new wardrobe. But even Bran’s costume at the end of the episode isn’t incredibly kingly—and that’s probably the point.

While Bran’s neutral status as the Three-Eyed Raven does make him a less biased ruler than most other contenders for the throne, it’s clear that Bran is only the king of Westeros in title. The brief Small Council scene at the end of “The Iron Throne” shows that Tyrion will be the brain behind his reign, with the help of characters like Brienne, Davos, Sam, and even Bronn. Bran’s wardrobe, then, seems to be part of this ploy. He needs to look the part, even if he isn’t acting it.

The fact that we never see Bran wear a crown is also significant. Westeros has always needed a leader that didn’t depend on titles and symbols to assert their authority, and that’s exactly why Bran is chosen to be the figurehead of the kingdom. His lack of a crown contrasts Cersei’s frequent need to show hers off, highlighting the fact that Bran’s values are far different from the rulers that have come before him.