Costume Designer Reveals Military‑Inspired Wool and Signature Purple for ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 6
In an exclusive interview on May 11, the costume designer for Hulu’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ discussed the new visual language introduced in Season 6, focusing on the austere wool fabrics for Aunt Lydia’s prep school and the precise shade of purple used for the iconic ‘Plums.’
The series has long used costume to signal power structures, and this season’s shift reflects the narrative’s deeper dive into the regime’s militarized education system. The designer’s choices aim to underscore the stark transformation of the world’s youth under authoritarian rule.
Variety reported that the wool was sourced from a UK mill known for military uniforms, chosen for its durability and muted texture. The specific hue of purple, described as “royal yet bruised,” was hand‑mixed to differentiate the Plums from earlier seasons’ brighter shades.
Fashion historians, including Dr. Aisha Patel of the Fashion Institute of Technology, note that such sartorial decisions can influence audience perception of dystopian realism, making the fictional regime feel more tangible.
The sixth season premieres on August 18, and viewers will also see the new costumes in the upcoming promotional photos and trailers slated for release later this month.