Helmed first by (known for The Vampire Diaries ) and later by Angus Strathie (an Oscar winner for Moulin Rouge! ), the costume department created a unique visual language—part 16th-century Scotland, part 2010s prom, part Alexander McQueen runway. The Thesis: Corsets Meet Wet-Look Leggings The show’s signature move is the juxtaposition of traditional elements (velvet, brocade, corsetry, lace) with shockingly modern materials and cuts. You will see Mary, Queen of Scots in a structured, beaded bodice over a sheer panel and skinny leather pants. You will see Queen Catherine de’ Medici in a formidable metal-and-leather shoulder piece that looks like it walked off a goth nightclub stage.
Fans of Marie Antoinette (2006), The Great , or anyone who believes costume should serve emotion, not archives. reign tv series costume designer
If you approach the costumes of Reign (2013–2017) looking for historical accuracy, you will be immediately disoriented. There are no rigid Elizabethan ruffs, no historically documented silhouettes, and very few wool or linen textures. Instead, the CW’s period drama offers something far more intentional: a pop-infused, anachronistic fantasy wardrobe that prioritizes character psychology and modern appeal over textbook authenticity. Helmed first by (known for The Vampire Diaries
Additionally, the anachronisms can sometimes tip from “stylized” into “distracting.” One character inexplicably wears a sheer black vinyl-look trench coat to a 16th-century picnic. Another appears in a beaded flapper-style headband during a formal banquet. The inconsistency—some episodes look high-fashion editorial, others look like The CW after Halloween clearance —breaks the spell. Do not watch Reign for a history lesson. Watch it for the sheer, unapologetic vibe . The costume designers understood that their target audience was not Tudor scholars but fans of romantic melodrama and fantasy. They built a world where a queen can plot a murder while wearing a lace-up leather corset and metallic leggings—and somehow, it works. You will see Mary, Queen of Scots in
Deducting one star for visible zippers and polyester; adding a half-star back for Catherine de’ Medici’s entire leather-and-mesh wardrobe.
