Throughout television, we've grown to love characters with outstanding qualities. It's these qualities that draw fans to connect with them and grow to root for them on their journey. Characteristics are also another thing that can make any character stand out in their own special way. One characteristic that many shows use to distinguish a character can be a particular item of clothing.
We've seen this with countless characters throughout The Walking Dead. Fans will show up at Comic-Con and various events dressed up in these outfits that set them apart and represent a specific character. In this article, I've shared a good list of seven of the most iconic outfits worn on the zombie series. These looks have become instantly recognizable, not just as costumes, but as extensions of the characters themselves.
Rick's police uniform and jacket
Rick Grimes is the most iconic character in The Walking Dead series, and his outfits are some of the most well-known. Before the apocalypse began, Rick was a sheriff's deputy who resided in King County, Georgia. When he woke up from his coma to find out he was in an apocalypse, it was only normal for him to raid the police station and dress as the man he once was.
His outfit represented a man on a mission, who still held on to the man he was. He may have retired from the badge and uniform in season 2, but his hat became a symbol on the show that was passed down to his children. It was a symbol of his old life and gave the person wearing it a sense of leadership as well as hope.
In season 4, Rick's "murder jacket," as fans like to call it, also became a staple accessory for Rick's character. It was first seen in season 4 episode 11, titled "Claimed," after he stole it off one of the claimer group members and snuck out of the house they had infiltrated. This jacket surfaced during Rick's darker times and most brutal kills.
He wore it when biting Joe's throat out, when killing Gareth with the red machete, and when killing Pete for Deanna Monroe. Rick also wore it at his lowest, when Negan killed Glenn and Abraham. The jacket represents a dark period in Rick's life with him losing pieces of his humanity and was last seen in season 8.
Daryl's vest and poncho
Daryl Dixon's outfits are probably some of the most worn outfits by fans in The Walking Dead fandom. His black leather angel wings biker vest is worn by his character throughout most of the series. Daryl can be a lone wolf a lot throughout the show, and I think the vest suits his character well in that regard. I think it makes him stand out more and represents his solitary nature. It also suits his character well, being a motorcycle rider.
Another accessory we see Daryl wearing is his poncho. His poncho helps in colder weather and is another good article of clothing to wear on a motorcycle. It represents his cautious personality and his ability to read people. Daryl can be quiet and emotionally distant, and his clothing helps portray these special characteristics.
Negan's leather jacket
Negan's leather jacket paired with his red scarf is an iconic look that everyone who watches the show can recognize. His outfit matches his dangerous personality quite well. In fact, his drive for control and order is even more commanding just by his looks.
His red scarf paired with the leather jacket represents his bloodlust for those who turn their back against him. As a side note, this iconic ensemble is directly adapted from the original comics. By staying true to the source material, it only strengthens the outfit's impact and memorability.
Dale's tourist outfit
Dale Horvath was on a road trip, traveling the country in his RV when the apocalypse hit. This is why we see Dale sporting a very tourist-themed look. He wears his bucket hat paired with various flowery tourist shirts.
He even has the binoculars to match, which ties into his personality since he is known to have the knowledge of multiple secrets around the camp in season 2. He was even caught witnessing Shane Walsh line Rick up in his sights in season 1. Dale's iconic outfit represented the character's perceptive personality and stubborn beliefs.
Carl's atomic paw shirt
Carl Grimes was known for wearing Rick's sheriff's deputy hat, but other than that famous accessory, he was known for wearing his atomic paw t-shirt from seasons 1 through 3. This shirt actually features a logo from Robert Kirkman's comic book series, Science Dog. If you notice on the cover of the comics, the main character, Science, holds a pistol with a silencer. We also see Carl sport the same weapon.
This comic book series character seemed to heavily influence Carl's character. We see this young, comic-loving boy adapting to a cruel world, influenced by what he witnesses around him. However, as time goes on, Carl returns to his moral principles and grows into a person who aligns with the values his father hopes to see in him.
Honorable mentions
Some outfits worth mentioning that were short-lived, but also became super iconic in The Walking Dead series are Glenn Rhee's baseball cap and jersey, Michonne's cloaked look, and Beth's golf shirt paired with her gray sweater. Glenn's season 1 outfit was taken right out of the comic books. It showed how naive and unscathed he'd been at the time, going from pizza delivery boy to surviving life in the apocalypse.
Michonne's cloaked look was seen in seasons 2, 3, and 10. She wore her cloak when she was first introduced in the series and at times when she had lost herself, almost as if she were hiding who she truly was. She put the cloak away for years until returning to the same look in season 10, while carrying her chained walkers in search of her lover, Rick.
Finally, we have Beth's outfit that she wore during a time when she was finally finding herself on the show. She and Daryl had raided a golf club, and she had found her famous yellow golf shirt that she wore with her gray sweater, blue jeans, and cowgirl boots.
Beth was a young girl who was finally starting to grow into herself. In the end, she was brave and stood up for what she believed in and those she loved. Beth's iconic look is one that fans still cosplay as to this day, along with many other outfits on this list.
Overall, all of these outfits add to these beloved characters and make them stand out within The Walking Dead universe.
The Walking Dead is streaming right now on Netflix.