16 of ‘Outlander’s Most Iconic Fashion Moments (So Far)
Apart from being one of TV’s steamiest shows, Starz’s time-traveling drama Outlander is also one of the interesting fashion-wise, as it spans through years of trends ranging from the 18th century to the 1960s.
Whether it’s Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) Fraser tartan or Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) to-die-for gowns, there’s no shortage of envy-worthy attire. Throughout the series’ five seasons, the Fraser family has been serving looks that range from dingy to downright Vogue-worthy.
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For the first four seasons, costume designer Terry Dresbach (Carnivàle) helmed the series’ wardrobe department, setting the tone for many looks to come. (Dresbach also happens to be married to showrunner Ronald D. Moore.) In Season 5, Scotland native Trisha Biggar took up the mantle, but a large team is responsible for the show’s variety of clothing that has adorned highlander warriors, battlefield doctors and more. While it’s easy to love Jamie and Claire’s romance, we can’t help but also love the show’s iconic fashion moments. Below, we take a look at some of our favorites.
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Outlander, Streaming now, Starz App (*Seasons 1-3 are streaming on Netflix)
Claire's White Dress (Season 1)
Introduced in the show’s premiere episode, Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) white keyhole dress is simply iconic because it’s the ensemble she first travels through time in. While visiting the standing stones at Craigh Na Dun, she is transported from the 1940s into the 18th century. Her shift is a stark contrast compared to the dueling red coats and highlanders she finds herself trapped between.
Claire's Wedding Dress (Season 1)
During her and Jamie’s (Sam Heughan) nuptials, Claire’s stunning dress sparkled in the candlelight adding to the moment’s romantic atmosphere. While their union wasn’t necessarily something she was thrilled about at the start, it didn’t take Claire long to fall for her highlander husband and it took audiences even less time to fall in love with her gorgeous gown.
Claire's Red Paris Dress (Season 2)
Sure, everything Claire wore in Paris was epic, but this red dress remains a favorite among fans due to its context. Partially designed by Claire, she gets some blow-back from her hubby for its plunging neckline, but the comedic events that take place around the gown are what make it truly memorable.
Claire's French Garden Look (Season 2)
Despite the pressures of being pregnant while trying to recruit Jacobite allies in Paris, Claire’s fashion never suffered. She wore this gown during a garden gathering, in which she and Jamie come face-to-face with Black Jack Randall for the first time since leaving him in Wentworth prison at the end of Season 1. Claire’s fashion game was at an all-time high in this floral dress accessorized with gloves and a matching hat.
Jamie's Kilt (Season 2)
It’s hard to pinpoint which of Jamie’s kilt moments is most memorable, but it’s hard to forget the time he bid a pregnant Claire a heartfelt farewell at the standing stones of Craigh Na Dun. While Claire’s wool dress is certainly a standout, Jamie’s kilts are part of what makes Outlander, Outlander.
Roger & Bree's Scottish Countryside Ensembles (Season 2)
During one of their first outings together in Season 2, Roger (Richard Rankin) and Brianna (Sophie Skelton) visit various historical sites around Scotland’s countryside, including Wentworth prison. The pair were adorned in scarves and hats, establishing a groovy ’60s vibe that grounded the story in the time period fans were less familiar with up until that point.
Claire's Trench Coat (Season 2)
When Claire visits Scotland with her daughter nearly two decades after leaving Jamie behind in the past, she journeys to Culloden’s battlefield to pay respects to her long lost husband. Claire donned this classic trench coat for the emotional outing.
Bree & Claire's University Ensembles (Season 3)
While receiving a posthumous honor for twentieth century patriarch Frank (Tobias Menzies), Claire and Bree put their best foot forward in some era-specific looks. Between Bree’s fishnet stockings and Claire’s pillbox hat, they’re the epitome of the decade’s best trends.
Claire & Jamie's Layered Travel Looks (Season 3)
Claire’s homemade, blue ensemble was nicknamed the “bat suit” for its secret pockets. Its durable duds paired perfectly with Jamie’s navy blue getup, which viewers saw during their epic reunion in Season 3.
Jamie & Claire Revisit Their Parisian Wardrobe (Season 3)
Twenty years after their time together in Paris, Jamie and Claire dig up their old outfits for a party being thrown by Lord John Grey (David Berry) in Jamaica where they’re searching for Jamie’s kidnapped nephew Ian (John Bell). It may not have been 20 years in reality, but Jamie and Claire clearly know how to make “vintage” work.
Roger & Bree's Scottish Inspired Fashion (Season 4)
Traveling from Scotland to America, Roger visits Bree as they travel to North Carolina for a Scottish heritage festival. Sporting tartan as a nod to their own roots, Roger and Bree approach the festive fashion with their own ’60s touch including Roger’s turtle neck and Bree’s corduroy coat.
Jamie & Claire's Wilmington Wears (Season 4)
In Wilmington, where they meet George Washington (yes, that one), Jamie and Claire get all fancied up for a shindig. From Claire’s flower-adorned choker to Jamie’s patterned vest from Paris, the couples’ outfit is on fire in the non-literal sense.
Bree Wears Claire's Hand-Me-Downs (Season 4)
When Bree travels through the stones in Season 4, she’s ill-equipped on the clothing front, but thankfully her uncle Ian (Steven Cree) has a solution. Lending her a crate of Claire’s old clothes, Bree dons her mother’s coat for her journey to America, creating a full-circle situation for fans.
Roger & Bree's Wedding (Season 5)
Setting the scene for Season 5, Roger and Bree’s wedding is filled with colorful ensembles, but it’s ultimately their outfits which truly standout, from the floral detailing on Bree’s off-white dress and Roger’s complimentary suit. Whether they’re in their own time or not, these lovebirds make their clothes work under any circumstance.
Jamie's Red Coat (Season 5)
A necessity to protect his family from possible persecution, Jamie agrees to wear a red coat against his personal qualms with the garment and after ill experiences with Black Jack Randall and other red coats. Adding to the sting of this fashion moment, he has to witness the death of his godfather Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix) who fought for the Regulators at Alamance. Despite the painful associations to the outfit, there’s no denying its effectiveness in Jamie’s story.
Claire's Finale Dream Sequence (Season 5)
In Season 5’s finale, Claire endured some extreme trauma and abuse at the hands of Lionel Brown (Ned Dennehy) and during that she escapes to a dream world of sorts. There, she dons that iconic red once more but in a ’60s-era style along with Jamie and the rest of the Frasers who adopt the modern style. Along with featuring a slew of Easter eggs, the sequence delivers some strong fashion moments.
