Ann Foley’s Season 2 “Last Of Us” Costume Secrets Revealed
Let’s unpack why Joel’s iconic backpack nearly didn’t survive Season 2—that’s the sort of obsessive detail costume designer Ann Foley is known for. Foley teamed up with showrunners to elevate every thread, stain, and distress mark so that each jacket, bandana, and bladed holster feels like a lived-in relic. In an interview with Variety, she revealed how she sifted through thousands of vintage military pieces, swapping buttons and replacing straps to reflect Ellie’s evolving journey and Joel’s battered resilience. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Foley even hired local seamstresses in Calgary to hand-distress denim by hand, ensuring every fray told a story of survival.
Fans might assume apocalypse wear is all drab greens and browns, but Foley quietly injected color-coded cues into character arcs. As noted in People Magazine, Abby’s signature red scarf wasn’t just an accessory—it marks her chapter in a bold visual callback to Season 1, while Jesse’s mismatched sneakers underscore his practical rebellion. Foley shares that she sources most footwear from independent skate shops, then applies a mix of mud, blood, and ash washes to nail that post-outbreak grit.
It’s not just about aesthetics. Foley collaborated with stunt coordinators to redesign Ellie’s fingerless gloves, swapping leather for a specialized synthetic mesh so they’d hold up during fight sequences. Per Entertainment Weekly, they tested over 20 variations in a crash pad lab before finding the perfect balance between style and stunt-sans-tears. Joel’s jacket also got an unseen upgrade—a hidden inner pocket for his makeshift compass, which was sewn in last minute after a writers’ room note about Joel’s navigational skills.
While the world was hyped for intense action, Foley’s subtle Easter eggs stole the show on set. She tucked tiny “Ellie pins” into character kits, referencing musician icons that resonate with Ellie’s playlist, confirmed in a chat with Rolling Stone. Bonus fact: each character’s water bottle is custom-etched with a symbol hinting at their ultimate fate, though you’d have to pause at 1080p to catch it.
This deep-dive into textiles and symbolism proves that Season 2 isn’t just another visual upgrade—it’s a tapestry of narrative sewn into every seam. Foley’s behind-the-scenes finesse ensures that even the most casual viewer feels the weight of every ragtag layer. Anyway, that’s the deal. Do with it what you will.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
