Cersei Lannister, the scheming and ambitious queen from Game of Thrones, is known for her regal beauty, unwavering ruthlessness, and opulent sense of style. With this DIY costume guide, you can recreate her unforgettable look and embody her commanding presence. We'll cover everything from crafting the perfect gown to mastering her icy demeanor. Plus, explore fun options to transform this iconic Cersei Lannister costume into a thematic couple or group costume. Years of cosplaying experience and a deep understanding of Cersei's character have shaped this guide, ensuring your costume exudes both authenticity and power.
- Difficulty: 5/10 Crafting Cersei's elaborate gowns requires some sewing skills. Her mannerisms and speech patterns take practice to master convincingly.
- Can you build it from your own wardrobe: You might own a suitable long dress, but its color and embellishments may need modification. Basic jewelry pieces could work, but a statement lion necklace might require purchasing or DIY crafting.
- Scare factor: 2/10 - Cersei is more psychologically intimidating than outwardly frightening. Her scare factor comes from her ruthlessness, not a monstrous appearance.
- Cost: $$$$$ Here's a rough breakdown:
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- Basic (from your wardrobe or thrifted): ~$20- $50 (if you need to purchase a simple red dress, modify an existing dress, or source costume jewelry).
- Mid-range (mix of new and pre-owned items): ~$75- $125 (if you need to purchase a new, more elaborate dress, fabric for modifications, or a wig).
- High-End (replica pieces): ~$250+ (if you want an exact replica gown commissioned or purchase pre-made screen-accurate replicas online).
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Cersei Lannister Costume Essentials
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Classic Cersei Look
You will need the following items for your Cercei Lannister Halloween costume:
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Queen Cersei Look
You will need the following items for your Cercei Lannister Queen costume:
How To DIY Cersei Lannister Costume
Cersei Lannister's luxurious gowns and commanding accessories are instantly recognizable. Embody her regal presence by crafting these key elements of her wardrobe. While we've provided a shopping list for ready-made pieces, let's unleash your creativity with these DIY options for those who want to DIY the whole costume or some pieces. Get ready to transform simple materials into a costume fit for a queen!
The Crimson Gown
What You Need:
- Fabric: Several yards of rich crimson fabric (velvet, satin, or brocade for the most authentic look)
- Pattern: A simple long-sleeved gown pattern (can be found online or at fabric stores)
- Gold Trim: Gold ribbon or bias tape for embellishing necklines and sleeves
- Thread: Matching the fabric color
- Scissors
- Sewing machine (or needle and thread for hand-sewing)
- Pins
How To Do It:
- Choose Your Pattern: Consider whether you want a classic "Cersei" silhouette with fitted sleeves and a flared skirt, or something from a specific scene in the series.
- Cut It Out: Follow pattern directions to cut the fabric pieces.
- Sewing Time: Construct the gown according to your pattern instructions. Aim for neat seams, as the luxuriousness of Cersei's look comes in part from impeccable tailoring.
- The Royal Touch: Add the gold trim. Focus on the neckline, sleeves, and potentially a center front panel for added opulence.
Bonus Tips:
- Thrifting Win: I've found that secondhand stores can be treasure troves for large pieces of fabric, perfect for a voluminous Cersei gown.
- Subtle is King: Don't over-embellish. Cersei's style is about the richness of the materials, not flashy additions.
- Version Variations: Shorten the dress or simplify the sleeves if replicating a specific outfit where Cersei wore a less formal gown.
The Perfect Crown
What You Need:
- Base Material: Thick cardboard, craft foam, or Worbla (a thermoplastic modeling material)
- Gold Spray Paint: Metallic gold for a regal finish
- Faux Jewels: Assorted sizes and shapes of red and gold acrylic gems
- Hot Glue Gun
- Scissors or Craft Knife (if using cardboard or foam)
- Headband (optional): A simple plastic or metal headband
How To Do It:
- The Shape of Power: Decide on your crown design. A simple circlet is classic, or take inspiration from Cersei's more elaborate crowns seen later in the series. Sketch your design onto your base material.
- Cut It Out: Use scissors or a craft knife to carefully cut out your crown shape.
- A Midas Touch: Cover your crown with even coats of gold spray paint. Let it dry completely between coats.
- Jewel Embellishment: Arrange your faux jewels, playing with different sizes and shapes. Once satisfied, hot glue them securely in place.
Bonus Tips:
- Comfort is Key: If attaching your crown to a headband, choose one that fits comfortably to avoid headaches during a long night of embodying Cersei.
- Thematic Tweak: Incorporate lion motifs using small charms or by shaping the crown itself to subtly resemble a lion for that extra touch of Lannister pride.
- Beyond Gold: Experiment with antiqued metallic finishes for a crown that reflects Cersei's later, darker looks.
Cersei's Lion Necklace
What You Need:
- Polymer Clay: Beige or tan for the base of the lion
- Metallic Gold Acrylic Paint
- Paintbrush
- Small Sculpting Tools (optional, can use household items like toothpicks)
- Jump Rings
- Chain: A fine gold-colored chain
- Jewelry Pliers
- Eye Pin or Small Screw Eye
How To Do It:
- Sculpt the Lion: Form a small ball of polymer clay, then roughly shape it into a lion's head. Add details for the mane, nose, and eyes. Don't worry about perfect symmetry—a slightly rough look enhances the handcrafted feel.
- Bake and Paint: Follow the polymer clay instructions for baking. Once cooled, carefully paint the entire lion with gold acrylic paint.
- Add the Hardware: While the paint dries, use your pliers to open a jump ring. Slide it onto the chain.
- Secure the Pendant: Insert the eye pin or small screw eye into the top of the lion pendant. Attach the open jump ring to this, then close it securely with the pliers.
Bonus Tips:
- Size Matters: Cersei's necklace is a statement piece. Don't be afraid to make your lion pendant slightly oversized.
- Pre-Made Shortcut: If sculpting isn't your forte, repurpose a small lion charm or figurine found at a craft store. Attach it to a chain for that same Lannister pride.
- Mix and Match Metals: For a more weathered look, mix gold and antiqued bronze hardware for the chain and jump rings.
Cersei's Golden Locks
What You Need:
- Wig: Long, blonde wig with a center part and gentle waves or light curls.
- Bobby Pins
- Hairspray
- Optional Braiding Supplies: Small, clear hair elastics and additional pins if incorporating braids.
How To Do It:
- Find Your Base: If your own hair isn't suitable, select a wig close to Cersei's golden blonde shade. Look for a wig with a realistic hairline for the most natural effect.
- Style and Set: Gently curl or wave the wig as needed. Style it into Cersei's classic, loose waves flowing down her back. Secure with bobby pins and a light mist of hairspray to hold the style.
- Braiding Options: For more elaborate styles, section off small portions of hair and braid them, securing them subtly throughout the loose hair with the help of bobby pins and clear elastics.
Bonus Tips:
- Texture is Key: Cersei's hair always appears full and healthy. If your wig is thin, try braiding in a matching hair extension to add subtle volume.
- A Touch of the Outdoors: Overly perfect hairstyles don't fit the setting of Game of Thrones. Let a few strands fall loose or add a slight 'messiness' for authenticity.
- Inspiration is Everywhere: Seek out images of Cersei's specific hairstyles from your favorite scenes to guide your styling.
Cersei's Commanding Makeup
What You Need:
- Foundation: Slightly lighter than your natural skin tone
- Contour Powder: A cool-toned shade for subtle sculpting
- Blush: A soft, natural pink
- Eyeshadow Palette: Neutral browns, golds, and a touch of shimmer
- Eyeliner: Brown or black pencil
- Mascara: Black
- Nude or Light Pink Lipstick
- Makeup Brushes
How To Do It:
- Porcelain Skin: Apply a light layer of foundation for a flawless, even canvas. Set it with translucent powder for a matte finish that reflects the era.
- Sculpted Features: Use your contour powder to lightly accentuate your cheekbones and jawline, giving your face that "heart-shaped" look Cersei often sports.
- A Flush of Power: Apply just a hint of blush to your cheekbones for a subtle touch of color.
- Eyes of Ice: Focus on neutral eyeshadow shades. Use a warm brown in the crease and a shimmery gold on the lid. Line your upper lash line with pencil eyeliner for definition, but avoid a dramatic wing. Finish with a coat of mascara.
- Subtle Lips: Cersei's lip color is always understated. Choose a nude or light pink lipstick with a matte or satin finish.
Bonus Tips:
- Fierce Brows: Cersei has strong, well-defined eyebrows. Use an eyebrow pencil in a shade slightly darker than your hair color to fill in and shape your brows.
- Highlight for Highborn: Use a touch of highlighter along your cheekbones and down the bridge of your nose to mimic that subtle Lannister glow.
- Less is More: Cersei's makeup, while carefully applied, still has a natural element. Remember, her power comes from her presence, not heavy makeup.
And that's it! With the final touches of her signature makeup, your Cersei Lannister costume is complete.
Cersei Lannister Cosplay
Step beyond just looking like Cersei Lannister—now's your chance to truly inhabit her queenly essence! Mastering her posture, her chilling speech, and even the subtle ways she reacts to others will make your costume feel truly alive. Let's transform you into the embodiment of Westeros's most ruthless and cunning queen.
How to act like Cersei Lannister at the Halloween Party:
Regal Posture
What To Do: Cersei carries herself with an unwavering sense of superiority. Her back is always straight, her chin held high, and her shoulders slightly back. Even when seated, she commands attention.
How To Do It:
- Focus on Your Spine: Imagine a string pulling the crown of your head upwards. Keep your back straight and avoid slouching.
- Shoulders are Key: Don't tense your shoulders, but gently draw them back slightly, creating an open, confident stance.
- Even When Still: Whether standing or sitting, maintain your posture. Cersei never looks casual or relaxed, even in private moments.
Bonus Tips
- Practice Makes Regal: Incorporate posture practice into your daily life. Set a reminder on your phone to check in and adjust your posture throughout the day.
- Inspiration is Key: Rewatch key scenes with Cersei, focusing on how she holds herself even in moments of vulnerability or rage.
- Heels Help: Wearing heels, even small ones, naturally shifts your posture in a way that aligns with Cersei's commanding presence.
Cersei's Calculated Speech
What To Do: Cersei never speaks without purpose. Her words are measured, her tone icy, and her delivery filled with barely-contained contempt. She chooses insults carefully, aiming to inflict maximum damage.
How To Do It:
- Enunciate: Cersei pronounces each word distinctly. Avoid mumbling or running your words together.
- Lower Your Pitch: Speak in a slightly deeper register than your usual voice to project authority.
- Slow Your Tempo: Resist the urge to rush your speech. Cersei is confident in her power, and her slow delivery reinforces this.
- The Smoldering Burn: Even in simple statements, infuse your words with a touch of dismissive arrogance.
Bonus Tips:
- Practice Her Lines: Memorize some of Cersei's most iconic lines and practice them aloud, focusing on the delivery ("Everyone who isn't us is an enemy" is a good one to start with).
- Subtlety is Key: Avoid over-the-top sneers or shouting. Cersei's control is what makes her words sting.
- It's in the Eyes: Pair your calculated speech with Cersei's icy gaze for maximum impact.
Commanding Gestures
What To Do: Cersei's gestures are few but incredibly potent. She uses her hands sparingly, each movement infused with purpose and control, often mirroring her cutting speech.
How To Do It:
- The Dismissive Flick: When vexed, Cersei may casually flick her wrist, conveying annoyance and disregard with almost no effort.
- The Steepled Touch: Touch your fingertips together, palms slightly separated. This projects thoughtfulness and scheming—a signature Cersei gesture.
- The Wine Glass Grip: Cersei almost always holds a wine glass with a firm, full-handed grip; a silent assertion of her indulgences and unwavering control.
Bonus Tips:
- Less is More: Avoid fidgeting or overly expressive hand gestures. Cersei's stillness is part of her power.
- Context Matters: Steepled fingers can look devious or thoughtful depending on her words and facial expression.
- Prop Power: Hold a wine glass (even if empty) to naturally channel Cersei's posture and attitude.
The Queen's Reactions
What To Do: Cersei rarely reveals her true emotions. Her face often maintains a cool mask, giving little away. However, slight expressions flicker across her features, hinting at her contempt, boredom, or even fleeting amusement.
How To Do It:
- The Smoldering Glare: Cersei's eyes often subtly narrow in displeasure, her gaze hardening. Mastering this conveys her underlying judgment and scorn.
- The "Almost" Smile: A slight upturn of just one corner of her mouth signals amusement or contempt, often accompanied by a raised eyebrow.
- The Calculated Pause: Before responding, even briefly, let a flicker of disdain or calculation cross your face, revealing the wheels turning behind her stoic exterior.
Bonus Tips:
- Practice in the Mirror: Subtle facial expressions are difficult to master. Record yourself or practice in front of a mirror to perfect those fleeting signals.
- It's About Restraint: Resist the urge to exaggerate. Think of Cersei's reactions as internal flashes of emotion she barely allows to reach the surface.
- Inspiration is Key: Re-watch key Cersei scenes, focusing entirely on the subtle shifts in her facial expressions and her reaction timing.
You've meticulously crafted Cersei's look, posture, speech, and gestures. You now possess the tools to bring this complex queen to life!
Couple, Group and Family Costume Ideas
Take your Cersei Lannister costume beyond a solo performance! These couple, group, and family costume ideas will expand the world of Westeros around you, adding new layers of drama and intrigue. Whether you're looking for a powerful duo or a themed ensemble, let's turn your transformation into a truly epic event.
Couple Costume Ideas
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Idea 1: Cersei and Jaime Lannister (Difficulty: Easy) This one is my favorite couple's costume idea. Explore the twisted, often toxic relationship between Cersei and her twin. Emphasize their physical similarities with matching wigs and coordinated regal attire.
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Idea 2: Cersei Lannister and the Night King (Difficulty: Moderate) The ultimate clash of fire and ice! This visually striking duo works well due to contrasting colors and embodies the overarching struggle for power in Game of Thrones.
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Idea 3: Cersei Lannister and Queen Elizabeth I (from history or fiction) (Difficulty: Challenging) Pair Cersei with a similarly ambitious and ruthless female monarch from history or fiction. Focus on mirroring their opulent costumes and regal demeanor.
Group Costume Ideas
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Idea 1: The Lannister Family (Difficulty: Moderate) Assemble the key players – Tywin, Tyrion, Jaime, and of course, Cersei herself. Coordinate your luxurious outfits, focusing on rich reds, gold embellishments, and accessories symbolizing the Lannister lion.
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Idea 2: Women of Westeros (Difficulty: Varies) Gather a powerful ensemble featuring characters like Daenerys Targaryen, Sansa Stark, Missandei, Ellaria Sand, Melisandre, Arya Stark, and Margaery Tyrell. Contrast their styles and personalities while maintaining a color palette tied to their allegiances.
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Idea 3: Iconic Villains (Difficulty: Easy) Create a crossover crew of compelling villains. Cersei could be joined by figures like Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter), or President Loki (Marvel Universe), emphasizing their shared ruthlessness and thirst for power.
Family Costume Ideas
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Idea 1: House Lannister (Difficulty: Moderate) A perfect fit for families! Parents can assume the roles of Tywin and Cersei, while children can become Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen—just beware of any prophesies!
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Idea 2: Rulers and Rebels (Difficulty: Easy) Divide your family into two factions, with Cersei as a powerful queen and others portraying rebellious subjects, knights, or even dragons!
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Idea 3: Cersei Through Time (Difficulty: Varies) Each family member could represent a different stage of Cersei's journey, from her early, ornate gowns to her later, subdued attire.
About Cersei Lannister
Cersei Lannister is more than just a villain. She is a cunning strategist, a fierce mother, and a deeply flawed woman shaped by her ambition and the patriarchal world around her. Let's unravel the complexities of this iconic figure, understanding what makes her both reviled and strangely captivating.
Character Overview
- Role in Game of Thrones: A ruthless queen seeking to protect her family and maintain absolute power through manipulation, alliances, and violence.
- Played By: Lena Headey
Background and Personality Traits
- Personality: Intelligent, ruthless, narcissistic, fiercely protective of her children, fueled by ambition, resentment, and fear of losing control. Deeply distrustful of those outside her inner circle.
- Appearance: Tall, beautiful with classic Lannister features - long golden hair, piercing green eyes. Her attire reflects her wealth, power, and shifting moods – from opulent gowns to later, more subdued looks.
Role in the Story
- Major Plot Points: Orchestrated the death of her husband, King Robert. Incestuous relationship with her twin, Jaime, led to three illegitimate children passed off as heirs. Her actions fuel the War of the Five Kings and have devastating consequences.
- Impact on Narrative: Cersei is a catalyst for much of the conflict and destruction in Game of Thrones. Her decisions destabilize Westeros and ultimately lead to her own downfall.
Cultural Impact
- Fan Reception: Cersei is a polarizing figure. Some despise her cruelty, while others find her cunning and defiance strangely compelling. She's a popular cosplay choice and her memorable insults ("Power is Power") are often quoted and memed.
- Thematic Significance: Cersei embodies the corrupting influence of unchecked power and the dangers of blind ambition. She also challenges traditional ideas of female power, often operating within constraints imposed by a male-dominated society.
Cersei Lannister is a complex and contradictory character whose actions spark both revulsion and fascination. With this deeper understanding of who she is and the role she plays, you're equipped to portray her with nuance, whether through your costume or by capturing her ruthless and calculating spirit.
Further Reading
Conclusion
With meticulous attention to detail, you've crafted a stunning Cersei Lannister costume. You understand her posture, her calculated speech, and the icy depths of her gaze. This guide has equipped you with the knowledge and inspiration to create a truly authentic portrayal. Now, step confidently into the role, embody her ruthless ambition, and let the queen within you emerge!