The 50 most iconic looks from Game of Thrones

Oysters, Clams, and Cockles (season 5)

Game of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton has named Arya’s Braavos look as one of her favorites from the series. Clapton didn’t just dream up this look on a whim. Rather, it has roots in real-life history.

Arya’s vendor disguise is actually inspired by Russian attire, although some of her garments (particularly the sabots) are also inspired by French peasants who would wear similar pieces to go out and do “dirty work.” I think gathering intel to use to assassinate someone qualifies.

This is also one of the few times we see Arya wearing a dress and styling her hair, two things that are significantly out of character for her. Of course, it’s all part of the disguise. Here, Arya is becoming someone she isn’t, or at least trying to. But as hard as she attempts to be No One, Arya is no faceless assassin who preys on the innocent just because she’s getting paid. She’s something else entirely, and she realizes that before she goes too deep down the rabbit hole. Perhaps this costume should have tipped us off about that.