Costume Design Reveals Hidden Truths About Relationships

How wardrobe choices can provide clues about character dynamics and relationship development.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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This article explores how costume design and wardrobe choices in TV shows and movies can offer valuable insights into character relationships and personality development. From contrasting styles that highlight "opposites attract" dynamics to matching outfits that suggest an intimate bond, the author argues that paying attention to costuming can elevate the viewing experience and uncover hidden narratives.

Why it matters

Costume design is a crucial but often overlooked element of storytelling that can provide important subtext about the relationships between characters. By analyzing wardrobe choices, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of character motivations, emotional journeys, and the evolution of on-screen partnerships.

The details

The article cites several examples of how costume design is used to convey relationship dynamics. For instance, contrasting styles like the "grumpy x sunshine" pairing of Jake and Amy in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, or the "artsy x academia" look of Nick and Jess in New Girl. Conversely, matching outfits or shared clothing items, as seen between JJ and Emily in Criminal Minds or Hotch and Emily in Criminal Minds, can suggest an intimate bond between characters. The article also discusses how changes in a character's personal style, like Marianne's transformation in Normal People, can reflect their personal growth and impact their relationships.

  • The article was published on February 22, 2026.

The players

Jake Peralta

A detective in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine police precinct, known for his casual, leather jacket-wearing style that contrasts with his partner Amy's more put-together work attire.

Amy Santiago

A meticulous and ambitious detective in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine police precinct, whose professional wardrobe stands in contrast to her partner Jake's more relaxed style.

Nick Miller

A bartender in the sitcom New Girl, known for his casual, flannel-and-jeans look that clashes with his roommate Jess's more eclectic, pattern-mixing fashion sense.

Jess Day

The quirky, adorkable protagonist of New Girl, whose bold, clashing patterns and vibrant personal style contrasts with her roommate Nick's more understated wardrobe.

JJ Jareau

A profiler for the Behavioral Analysis Unit in the crime drama Criminal Minds, who is seen wearing the same shirt as her colleague Emily Prentiss in different episodes, hinting at a potential off-screen relationship.

Emily Prentiss

A profiler for the Behavioral Analysis Unit in Criminal Minds, who is spotted wearing the same quarter-zip sweater as her colleague Hotch in different episodes, further fueling fan theories about their relationship.

Marianne

The protagonist of the miniseries Normal People, whose personal style evolves significantly over the course of the show, reflecting her personal growth and the changing dynamics in her relationship with Connell.

Connell

Marianne's on-and-off romantic partner in Normal People, who struggles to reconcile the new, more confident version of Marianne with the girl he knew from their hometown.

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The takeaway

Costume design is a powerful storytelling tool that can provide valuable insights into character relationships and personality development. By paying close attention to wardrobe choices, viewers can uncover hidden narratives and deepen their understanding of the emotional journeys depicted on screen.