After an arduous two-year wait, The Last of Us has at last returned with its second season. Based on the acclaimed video game of the same name, the post-apocalyptic drama is set in a world ravaged by a mutated fungal parasite, causing what we’ve come to understand as zombie-like behaviour in infected humans. Led by Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal, the latter who is set for a banner year as Mister Fantastic in the upcoming Marvel franchise, the hit series is a masterclass not only in sci-fi thrills and heart-rending storytelling, but also in costume design.
While the show’s premise and gritty settings posed unique limitations on its wardrobe, season one’s costume designer Cynthia Summers took on the challenge as an opportunity to create practical and durable ensembles that scream apocalypse-proof, all while staying true to each character’s personality and visual design from the original game. Convincingly rugged and distressed, the show’s versatile, largely unisex wardrobe quickly gained the attention and praise of cosplayers and fans alike, with some casual viewers even taking to forums like Reddit asking how they can channel the style of their favourite characters.
For the show’s wardrobe, the team looked to styles and materials with origins as blue-collar workwear, zoning in on pieces that everyday civilians would own—making it just as accessible to viewers. Now led by costume designer Ann Foley for season two, hardy materials like denim feature heavily in the series, as do dense flannels and other pieces designed for utility, comfort and ease of movement. Considering the recent rise of fashion trends like gorpcore and utilitarian, it’s easy to see the appeal of emulating this worn-in style.
With the series finally returning with its sophomore season, here is Vogue Singapore’s guide to The Last of Us fashion staples for an apocalypse-ready wardrobe.
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Versatile flannel
During season one of the show, Summers spoke about the popularity of the flannel shirts she dressed the cast in amongst fans of the show, so it’s no surprise that these unisex tops are making a comeback this season. In this scene—hinting at a budding romance between Bella Ramsey and Isabela Mercad’s characters—Ramsey’s Ellie dons a cosy oversized button-down flannel shirt.
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Fjällräven Värmland Heavy Flannel Shirt in Deep Forest, $215.40
Available at Fjällräven.
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Filson Vintage Flannel Work Shirt in Black/Rust/Multi Plaid, $132.60
Available at Filson.
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Pocketed utility jackets
Amid the wintry chill that envelops this season of The Last of Us, layers are absolutely essential for our beloved survivors to weather the cold. Enter the utility jacket, which doubles as both a comfortable outerwear option and for its practical design—after all, it can’t hurt to have a couple more pockets to hide your weapons in the chaos of a post-apocalyptic world.
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Patagonia Iron Forge™ Canvas Ranch Jacket, $139
Available at Patagonia.
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Beanies
While known as more of a staple accessory today, beanies were first conceived as a form of work wear as a practical, comfortable way to keep hair out of one’s face, with the added bonus of extra warmth. In that vein, many characters—especially those out on foraging and rescue missions—have already been spotted in a myriad of beanies in our first glimpses of season two.
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Patagonia Fun Hog™ Beanie in Phosphorus Green, $55
Available at Patagonia.
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Timeless denim
Not only are they an eternal style essential, with every generation owning them in one form or another, hardy denim pieces are also some of the most likely to endure the wear and tear of post-apocalypse life. Naturally, many of the characters are spotted in aged or distressed denim pieces. Case in point: the jeans worn by Tommy and Maria, the leaders of the survivor’s settlement in Jackson, and their son Benji.
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Acne Studios Loose fit jeans - 2021F, $800
Available at Acne Studios.
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Frame Le Slim Palazzo high-rise wide-leg jeans, $411
Available at Net-a-porter.
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Levi’s Blue Tab™ Women's Carve Jeans in Swell, $349.90
Available at Levi’s.
