HBO’s The Chair Company Prioritises Realistic Costuming Over Fashion, Designer Says

Post by : Saif Nasser

HBO’s new comedy series The Chair Company has drawn attention for its unvarnished wardrobe choices. Costume designer Nicky Smith describes a deliberate decision to dress characters in garments that appear used and familiar instead of fresh, trend-driven outfits — a choice intended to mirror how many people in the Midwest actually present themselves.

Set in an Ohio customer service office that slowly drifts into oddity, the series blends moments of surrealism with grounded character work. Smith says the production team wanted apparel to anchor the story in reality rather than read as a stylised fashion statement.

Perfection was avoided on purpose. Wrinkles, slightly stretched collars and faint marks were often left visible; stains were sometimes attenuated but not fully erased. These imperfect touches, Smith argues, communicate the routines and priorities of ordinary workers who do not curate every element of their appearance.

Smith’s process involved studying real-life visual cues: LinkedIn headshots, family albums and social feeds from Midwestern subjects, followed by extensive thrifting. Secondhand pieces were chosen for the character they already carried, offering texture and a sense of lived history.

For the lead, Ron Trosper (portrayed by Tim Robinson), Smith hunted through bins for worn ties and scuffed shoes to suggest a backstory instead of supplying new garments. She notes this approach is both environmentally mindful and helpful in making the character feel established before the narrative begins.

As Ron’s arc progresses, so does his wardrobe: colours brighten and silhouettes tidy subtly, marking emotional and perceptual shifts without overt costume dramatics. The gradual change in clothing becomes a visual cue for personal development.

Extras and background performers were also costumed with intent, each outfit selected to reflect specific character traits rather than to create a uniformly polished ensemble. The aim was authenticity over glamour.

By resisting the impulse to glamorise, The Chair Company separates itself from shows that foreground fashion. The deliberately imperfect attire helps viewers relate to the characters and renders the comedy more immediate and believable.

In short, clothing in the series functions as a storytelling device that emphasises ordinariness and relatability — a small production choice with a significant narrative payoff.