Lyanna Stark, the enigmatic figure from Game of Thrones, is known for her independent spirit, captivating beauty, and central role in a saga of love and war. This costume guide will empower you to recreate Lyanna's iconic look and embody her essence. We'll delve into the details of her attire, explore how to channel her mannerisms, and even suggest ways to turn this costume into a fun group activity. Over the years, I've prepared hundreds of costume guides, and Lyanna Stark stands out as one of my personal favorites, so I'll provide insights and resources to ensure your Lyanna Stark costume is both authentic and impressive.
- Difficulty: 3/10 The main dress is a simple design, achievable even for beginner sewers. The accessories are either easy to find or DIY with basic craft skills.
- Can you build it from your own wardrobe: If you own a long, earth-toned dress, you're halfway there! However, elements like the floral hair clip, bracelet, and sandals might require thrifting or basic crafting.
- Scare factor: 0/10 - Lyanna Stark is not a frightening character at all. This costume is perfect for events where you want to be approachable and admired.
- Cost: $$$$$ Here's a rough breakdown:
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- Basic (from your wardrobe or thrifted): ~$15- $30 (This assumes you have a suitable dress, with the cost mainly being floral supplies for the hairpiece).
- Mid-range (mix of new and pre-owned items): ~$30- $80 (If you need to purchase a dress, sandals, and more elaborate crafting supplies).
- High-End (replica pieces): ~$150+ (For those seeking a screen-accurate replica, with pre-made accessories and perhaps a custom-made dress).
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Lyanna Stark Costume Essentials
You will need the following items for your Lyanna Stark Halloween costume:
How To DIY Lyanna Stark Costume
Lyanna Stark's style is a clash of eras and textures, reflecting her down-on-his-luck status and her faded glory. If you want the convenience of pre-made items, we've got you covered with a shopping list above. But if you're feeling adventurous, let's dive into how to DIY his signature pieces for a truly unique "Lyanna Stark Costume"!
The Flowing Sage Green Dress
This simple yet striking dress is the foundation of Lyanna's look.
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What You Need:
- Sage Green Fabric: Choose a lightweight, flowing fabric like rayon, linen, or a soft cotton blend. You'll need approximately 3-4 yards, depending on your height.
- Pattern: Search online for free "medieval dress patterns" or use an oversized T-shirt as a guide.
- Thread: In a matching sage green color.
- Basic Sewing Supplies: Scissors, pins, sewing machine (or needle and thread for hand-sewing).
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How to Do It:
- Cut: Follow your chosen pattern's instructions, ensuring the length reaches your ankles. Consider adding flowing sleeves for authenticity.
- Assemble: Sew the dress pieces together per your pattern.
- Details: Leave the neckline simple, but you can cinch the waist with a thin belt or sash made from leftover fabric.
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Bonus Tips:
- For a weathered appearance, gently distress the fabric edges or add subtle "dirt" stains using diluted brown fabric paint.
- I've found that vintage fabric shops often have lovely sage green fabrics perfect for this project.
The Delicate Floral Hair Clip
This detail adds a feminine touch to Lyanna's otherwise rugged look.
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What You Need:
- Silk Flowers: Choose small blooms in pale colors (cream, blush, light blue) with green leaves.
- Floral Wire
- Hair Clip or Comb: Choose one that blends with your hair color.
- Wire Cutters
- Hot Glue Gun (optional)
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How to Do It:
- Trim: Cut the flowers and leaves off their stems, leaving short wire pieces attached.
- Create: Twist the flower and leaf wires together into small clusters.
- Attach: Secure the clusters to the clip or comb using floral wire or hot glue for extra stability.
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Bonus Tips:
- Check craft stores for pre-made floral sprigs if you're short on time.
- Lyanna's clip is delicate, so less is more! A few well-placed flowers make a big impact.
The Whimsical Snake Bracelet
This bold accessory reflects Lyanna's connection to nature.
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What You Need:
- Polymer Clay: Choose a metallic color like bronze or gold.
- Baking Sheet
- Thin Wire: Flexible jewelry wire will work well.
- Optional: Acrylic paint in a metallic color, miniature sculpting tools.
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How To Do It:
- Sculpt: Roll the clay into a long, thin snake shape. Add texture if desired, using tools or by gently pressing your fingertips along the 'body'.
- Shape: Carefully coil the snake around your forearm to get the desired bracelet size. Don't make it too tight!
- Connect: Embed the ends of the wire into the clay where the head and tail will meet.
- Bake: Follow the clay's instructions for hardening (usually in an oven).
- Paint (optional): Add metallic highlights to the cooled clay
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Bonus Tips:
- For a realistic touch, sculpt a small snake head and tail. YouTube has great polymer clay tutorials!
- If sculpting isn't your forte, costume jewelry stores often have snake-themed bracelets to repurpose.
Lyanna Stark Cosplay
Now that you look like Lyanna, it's time to capture her independent spirit and quiet strength. Bringing these character traits to life will add depth and authenticity to your Lyanna Stark costume!
How to act like Lyanna Stark at the Halloween Party:
Quiet Confidence
Lyanna possesses an inner strength despite her gentle demeanor.
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What to Do: Focus on maintaining good posture – stand tall with your shoulders back. Let your movements be deliberate and graceful.
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How to Do It:
- Speak clearly and avoid mumbling, projecting a sense of quiet self-assurance.
- Make eye contact when speaking to people, like Lyanna does when she's determined.
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Bonus Tips:
- Practice walking and talking confidently in front of a mirror. This might feel awkward at first, but it translates into believable poise.
- Remember, Lyanna doesn't need to be boisterous to command respect.
A Touch of Wildness
Underneath her composed surface, Lyanna embraced a love of freedom and nature.
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What To Do: Don't be afraid to let your hair flow freely, even if it gets a bit tousled. Allow yourself a small, private smile, reflecting Lyanna's adventurous spirit.
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How To Do It:
- If appropriate for the setting, go barefoot or wear simple sandals like Lyanna.
- When posing for photos, try a spontaneous or adventurous pose, maybe even climb a (safe) tree!
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Bonus Tip: Lyanna is skilled with horses and often seen outdoors. If possible, incorporating elements of nature into your party venue or photo backdrop will echo her wild side.
Unwavering Loyalty
Lyanna's devotion to those she loves drove many of her actions.
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What To Do: Demonstrate protectiveness towards your friends and family at the party. Offer to help those in need, reflecting Lyanna's compassion.
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How To Do It:
- Subtle actions speak volumes. Stay close to loved ones, check in on them throughout the night, offer a comforting smile.
- If someone jokes about or teases your loved ones, a firm but polite retort, in Lyanna's style, shows you take loyalty seriously.
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Bonus Tip: I've observed that true cosplayers help each other out! Offer a hand to another Lyanna Stark, or any Game of Thrones character, if they need assistance with their costume.
Moments of Vulnerability
Despite her strength, Lyanna experienced fear and heartbreak.
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What to Do: Allow yourself moments of quiet reflection. Lyanna wasn't always fearless.
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How To Do It:
- Find a quiet corner periodically to let a pensive, even slightly melancholic expression cross your face.
- This is best used sparingly, as Lyanna's vulnerability was often hidden.
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Bonus Tip: Knowing Lyanna's tragic backstory adds depth to these moments. Consider how your understanding of her heartbreak can subtly inform your expressions.
By combining these elements – confidence, wildness, loyalty, and touches of vulnerability – you'll truly embody the essence of Lyanna Stark. Let's explore how to turn this into a group experience!
Couple, Group, and Family Costume Ideas
Take your Lyanna Stark costume to the next level by incorporating friends and family. Get ready for some epic Game of Thrones (and beyond) themed fun!
Couple Costume Ideas
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Idea 1: Lyanna Stark & Rhaegar Targaryen (Difficulty: Moderate)
- This one is my favorite couple costume idea. Their forbidden romance is central to the Game of Thrones saga.
- Rhaegar's costume focuses on silver armor, flowing fabrics, and his signature Targaryen long blonde hair.
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Idea 2: Lyanna Stark & Arya Stark (Difficulty: Easy)
- Mother and daughter, both embody Stark resilience. Arya's costume is more practical – tunic, pants, and her trusty sword, Needle.
- Emphasize the familial bond with matching Stark wolf emblems.
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Idea 3: Lyanna Stark & Daenerys Targaryen (Difficulty: Moderate)
- While generations apart, both are strong women linked by Targaryen blood.
- Contrast Lyanna's simplicity with Daenerys' elaborate gowns and iconic braided hairstyles.
Group Costume Ideas
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Idea 1: House Stark (Difficulty: Varies)
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Idea 2: The Battle for the Iron Throne (Difficulty: Challenging)
- This requires commitment, but wow! Feature rivals like Daenerys, Cersei, Jon Snow, even the Night King!
- Use props – toy dragons, a miniature Iron Throne – to set the scene.
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Idea 3: Fantasy Powerhouses (Difficulty: Moderate)
- Cross universes! Pair Lyanna with characters like Princess Zelda (Legend of Zelda), Galadriel (Lord of the Rings), or even medieval versions of Wonder Woman or Xena the Warrior Princess.
Family Costume Ideas
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Idea 1: The Starks of Winterfell (Difficulty: Varies)
- Perfect for families of all sizes! Parents can be Ned and Catelyn, with kids taking on the rest of the Stark brood.
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Idea 2: Lords and Ladies of Westeros (Difficulty: Easy)
- Embrace the medieval aesthetic! This works with less focus on specific characters and more on rich fabrics and ornate accessories.
- A great option if younger children don't want to commit to a single character yet love dressing up.
About Lyanna Stark
Lyanna Stark, though appearing only briefly in Game of Thrones, left an enduring mark on both the characters and the audience. Her strength, defiance, and the tragic love story that upended Westeros make her a fascinating figure to explore.
Character Overview
- Role in Game of Thrones: Central to the origin story. Her elopement with Rhaegar Targaryen sparked Robert's Rebellion and ultimately set in motion the series' main events.
- Played By: Aisling Franciosi
Background and Personality Traits
- Personality: Lyanna was known for her independent spirit, defiance of expectations, and kindness towards others. She possessed a quiet strength but was also capable of fierce determination.
- Appearance: Described as beautiful with typical Stark features – dark hair, grey eyes. In the show, she's often seen in simple, earthy clothes, reflecting her distaste for courtly finery.
Role in the Story
- Key Plot Points: Her supposed kidnapping by Rhaegar set off a chain of events including Robert's Rebellion, the fall of the Targaryen dynasty, and her own tragic childbirth.
- Impact on Narrative: Lyanna's true identity as Jon Snow's mother became a central mystery, driving the final seasons and revealing the true stakes in the fight for the Iron Throne.
Cultural Impact
- Fan Reception: Lyanna is a beloved character, seen as a symbol of both romance and female agency within a restrictive world. Fans often debate her choices and their immense consequences.
- Thematic Significance: Lyanna embodies the conflict between duty and personal desire. Her story raises questions of love, free will, and the far-reaching consequences of our actions.
With this deeper understanding of Lyanna, you're now equipped to bring her spirit to life through your costume and truly embody her essence!
Further Reading:
Conclusion
With this guide, you have everything you need to transform into the captivating Lyanna Stark. We've crafted her flowing dress, explored her quiet strength, and even looked into ways to incorporate others into your costume fun. Now, it's time to embrace your inner Lyanna! Whether at a party or just channeling her independent spirit, let this guide be the start of your unforgettable Lyanna Stark experience.