Honestly, if you weren't obsessed with the game of thrones margaery tyrell dress back in 2014, were you even watching? It’s been years since the wildfire took out the Great Sept of Baelor, but we’re still talking about those plunging necklines. Margaery wasn't just another player in the game; she was a sartorial genius who used silk and structured bodices as actual armor. While Cersei was clanking around in literal metal breastplates and heavy Lannister crimsons, Margaery walked into King’s Landing looking like a breath of fresh air—and everyone fell for it. That was the point.
The "Funnel" Dress: Fashion or Forewarning?
Remember that weirdly geometric, cone-like dress she wore when we first met her in Renly Baratheon’s camp? It’s often called the "Björk dress" or the "funnel dress." Most fans hated it at first. It looked stiff. It looked uncomfortable.
Costume designer Michele Clapton actually intended for it to look a bit "off." It was Margaery finding her footing. She was a young girl experimenting with high fashion to see what sticked. More importantly, it served as a physical barrier. She was in a war camp surrounded by soldiers; that high, structural collar wasn't just a vibe—it was a shield. It signaled that she was untouchable, even to her own husband.
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But once she hit the capital? Everything changed. The sharp angles melted into soft, rolling curves. The heavy fabrics were swapped for airy, light blue silks. She realized that in King’s Landing, you don't fight with walls; you fight with accessibility. You win by being the person everyone wants to touch, even if you’re the most dangerous person in the room.
Why the Blue and Gold Mattered
You’ve probably noticed she almost never wears Baratheon colors. Even after three marriages to "stags," Margaery stuck to Tyrell blue and gold. This wasn't an accident. It was a subtle, persistent middle finger to the crown. It told the world: I am a Tyrell first, and a Queen second. * The Signature Blue: It’s a soft, approachable shade that made her look innocent to the common folk.
- The Gold Brocade: These weren't just pretty patterns; they were woven reminders of the Reach’s bottomless wealth.
- The Exposed Skin: The backless designs and "V" necklines were her way of contrasting against Cersei’s repressed, high-collared mourning clothes.
It’s basically psychological warfare. She was younger, she was richer, and she was "freer." Every time she walked past Cersei in one of those backless blue numbers, she was reminding the older Queen that her time was up.
The "Purple Wedding" Gown: A Masterclass in Symbolism
Let’s talk about the big one. The wedding dress. It took Michele Carragher, the show's lead embroiderer, about 15 days of non-stop work to finish that thing. It is arguably the most complex game of thrones margaery tyrell dress ever put on screen.
If you look closely at the train, it’s a literal waterfall of hand-rolled fabric roses. But if you look at the bodice, it’s terrifying. There are silver spikes—Czech glass "thorns"—winding up her ribs and around her neck. It’s the visual embodiment of the Tyrell house words: Growing Strong. The crown she wore that day was even more telling. It featured the Baratheon stag antlers, but the Tyrell roses were literally growing over them, strangling the stag. It wasn't a celebration of a union; it was a depiction of a takeover. Joffrey was the king, sure, but Margaery was the vine that was going to choke the life out of his authority.
The Shift to the "Sparrow" Look
Then came Season 6. The cut-outs disappeared. The blue silk was replaced by rough, brownish burlap-adjacent wool. This is where Margaery’s fashion sense reached peak manipulation. She knew the High Sparrow wouldn't be swayed by a plunging neckline, so she dressed like a saint.
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She even gave up her elaborate hairstyles for a simple, half-up look. It made her look vulnerable. It made her look "broken." But as we saw when she handed that secret rose drawing to Olenna, it was all a lie. She was still the girl in the thorn-covered wedding dress; she just knew how to hide the spikes when the Septas were watching.
How to Get the Look (Without the Poison)
If you’re trying to channel Margaery today, you don't need a team of royal seamstresses. You just need to understand the silhouette.
- Prioritize the Waist: Margaery’s dresses always had a highly structured bodice. It’s that "armor" feel again. Look for corseted tops or heavy jacquard fabrics that hold their shape.
- The "Margaery Neckline": It’s a deep, narrow V-cut. It’s feminine but sharp.
- Nature Motifs: Don't just go for any floral. Go for vines, leaves, and—obviously—roses. But keep it edgy.
- The Color Palette: Stick to muted teals, sage greens, and that iconic "Highgarden blue."
The real secret to the Margaery Tyrell look isn't just the fabric; it's the confidence. She wore her clothes like a weapon. She knew exactly what every ribbon and every rose was saying to the people around her.
To really nail this style, start by looking for brocade waistcoats or bias-cut maxi dresses in silk blends. These pieces give you that "effortless but expensive" vibe that the Tyrells perfected. Focus on structured shoulders and fluid skirts—it’s that contrast between "hard" and "soft" that made her the most fashionable woman in the Seven Kingdoms.
Next Steps for the Aspiring Queen:
Look for "blue floral jacquard" fabrics if you're sewing your own, or search for "plunging V-neck bell sleeve maxi" to find a modern ready-to-wear version of her King's Landing style. Pay close attention to the weight of the fabric; Margaery's look relies on the bodice being stiff enough to act as a frame for the rest of the flowing silk.