Building Unella’s Grey Robes and Bell from Scratch
The entire costume rests on one garment: a floor-length grey robe that covers everything from your neck to your ankles. Unella’s version is shapeless, heavy, and completely matte. A loose-fitting grey maxi dress with long sleeves works as the base, but the fabric matters more than the cut. Look for cotton, linen, or a cotton-blend with a visible weave. Avoid jersey knits that drape against the body, and avoid anything with sheen. The robe should hang straight from the shoulders like a curtain.
If you want the silhouette closer to the show, a plain grey bedsheet or curtain panel can be turned into a simple tunic. Cut a hole for the head, sew the sides closed with openings for the arms, and hem the bottom. This gives you the same blunt, rectangular shape Unella wears. The sleeves should be long enough to cover your wrists completely, and the hem should brush the floor when you stand flat-footed.
The head covering is just as important as the dress. Unella’s face is framed by a tight grey wrap that hides all of her hair and covers her neck. A grey hijab scarf or a long rectangle of stretchy grey fabric works well. Fold it into a triangle, place the center at your forehead, and pin or tuck the ends securely at the back of your neck. The fabric should sit close to your skin, with no loose folds around the jawline. If the scarf slips, a few bobby pins through the fabric into your hair underneath will hold it in place.
Match the grey of the head wrap to the grey of the dress as closely as possible. Unella’s outfit is one continuous block of color, and a visible difference between the robe and the scarf breaks the effect. If you are buying online, order fabric swatches first or buy both pieces from the same seller in the same colorway.
A simple twisted cotton rope cinches the robe at the waist. This is a small detail, but it adds the monk-like structure that keeps the costume from looking like you just threw on a bathrobe. Tie it once at your natural waist with a plain knot and let the ends hang down the front. The rope should be grey or a muted tan—nothing bright or synthetic-looking.
The bell is the prop that makes the costume work. Unella rings a solid brass hand bell throughout her walk of shame scene, and you need one that is loud enough to carry across a room. A brass or nickel-plated call bell with a wooden or metal handle is the right choice. Test the weight before you commit to carrying it for hours; some solid brass bells are heavier than they look. If the clapper makes the bell too loud for an indoor party, wrap a small piece of tape around the clapper to muffle it slightly without changing the visual.
Your shoes will barely show, but they will peek out when you walk. Flat black boots, sandals, or simple flats all work. The only requirement is that they stay quiet and dark. Avoid anything with a heel high enough to shorten your stride, since Unella walks with a slow, deliberate pace.
Makeup is minimal or absent. Unella’s face is bare, and the costume relies on your expression rather than cosmetics. If you want to add structure, a matte foundation to even out skin tone and a light contour under the cheekbones gives the gaunt look she has in the show. Skip lipstick, eyeshadow, and anything glossy.
The physical performance is the last layer. Ring the bell, pause, say “shame,” ring again. Walk slowly and do not make eye contact for longer than a second. If you see someone dressed as Cersei, follow them at a distance. The costume does the work; your job is simply to stay still and silent until you ring the bell.