Explore The Worlds of Jane Austen and Game of Thrones

Costumes Exhibitions at The Arlington Museum of Art Allow Fans to Get Closer Than Ever

Jane Austen exhibition Arlington Museum of Art.
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Jane Austen exhibition Arlington Museum of Art.
Jane Austen fans will love The Arlington Museum of Art's new costume exhibit
Game of Thrones costumes The Arlington Museum of Art
Game of Thrones costumes on display at The Arlington Museum of Art

The Arlington Museum of Art (AMA) is having a pop culture moment, with two simultaneous costume exhibitions. One highlights the mythic Lancastrian era of Game of Thrones. The other dives deep into the Regency era of Jane Austen’s romantic world. The Arlington Museum of Art is showcasing the costumes and accessories that brought each period to life on both the big and small screens.

“Together, these exhibitions tell a bigger story about costume design as an art form, whether you’re recreating the year 1813 or inventing a fantasy universe from scratch,” according to a release.

Jane Austen Society Teams With The Arlington Museum of Art

Jane Austen fans will love The Arlington Museum of Art's new costume exhibit
Jane Austen fans will love The Arlington Museum of Art’s new costume exhibit.

Jane Austen just celebrated her 250th birthday on December 16, 2025. The occasion didn’t go unnoticed by legions of fans worldwide. Jane Austen is still a big deal, and her enduring works of fiction are celebrated by many.

The pieces on display are on loan from NBC Universal Archives & Collections. The AMA is partnering with the Jane Austen Society of North America’s North Texas chapter to bring this collection to Arlington.

The Jane Austen Society of North America is dedicated to the appreciation of Jane Austen and her writing. It’s a nonprofit organization with over 5000 members. Staffed by volunteers, it is dedicated to fostering the study, appreciation, and understanding of Jane Austen’s works, her life, and her genius.

Dressed for the Drawing Room: Fashion in Jane Austen’s World opened to the public on January 9 and runs through March 22.

The exhibit “features costumes and accessories from the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice (yes, the Keira Knightley one) and the 2020 film Emma,” according to a release. “The Jane Austen exhibit goes beyond pretty dresses. Fashion in the Regency era was elegant, expressive, and politically charged — what you wore communicated your status, your values, even your availability for marriage.”

Fantasy Gets Historical Reference Through Costume Design

Game of Thrones costumes on display at The Arlington Museum of Art
Game of Thrones costumes on display at The Arlington Museum of Art.

Likewise, “Under the same roof, Game of Thrones: The Exhibition features over 60 costumes from all eight seasons. Everything from Jon Snow’s Night’s Watch gear to the intricate embroidery that told family histories through clothing,” they say.

“It’s a masterclass in how costume design builds entire worlds.”

The limited-run exhibit showcases an immersive collection of original costumes worn by the iconic characters. Plus numerous props from the show, and a behind-the-scenes look at the development of the groundbreaking series are on display.

“This exhibition is more than a tribute to the world of Game of Thrones, it is a celebration of the fandom that kept the story alive,” says Kendall Quirk, the Director of Exhibitions. “There are so many talented artists who brought the series to life through sets, graphic design and costumes. We’re so thrilled to celebrate their work.”

The exhibit opened in October and remains on view through April 5.