One of my favorite shows that I watched during quarantine was The Queen’s Gambit. The combination of Elizabeth Harmon’s killer outfits and the outstanding interior set design captivated me at every point of the plot. In this post, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Beth Harmon outfits as well as explaining the deeper significance with the set design.
The main character’s outfits were a very effective way for the directors to showcase her personality and reflect her personal growth. The show started by depicting her in innocent orphanage outfits and simple school girl fits and ends with outfits that represent her determination and success.
The simplified evolution of her outfits (from the start to the end) & take notes on how they represent her mental state as well:
Beyond just her outfits, the show’s setting and set design also reveal a lot about the plot line.
For example, Beth Harmon’s new bedroom in her adoptive home is meant to represent a cage, symbolizing that she feels trapped in her situation.
Additionally, after her adoptive mother’s death, Beth tears down her home design, representing her transition into a new chapter of her life. However, the new design echoes that of her adoptive mother’s outfits.
Even in TV shows, there are always intention design elements that go to reveal aspects about characters beyond what is shown in the plot.
