The Chair Company Costume Designer Says Show Focuses on Real-Life Clothing, Not Fashion

HBO’s new comedy series The Chair Company has become popular for its unique and honest style. Now, costume designer Nicky Smith has shared how the clothes in the show were created. Instead of using new or stylish outfits, she chose clothes that look real, used, and lived-in. Her goal was to show how everyday office workers in the Midwest actually dress in real life.

The show is set in a customer service office in Ohio, where things slowly become chaotic and strange. Even though the story becomes surreal at times, Smith wanted the clothing to keep the characters grounded. She explained that the show’s creators wanted everything to feel real, not like a polished fashion set.

Smith said she did not try to make the clothes look perfect. If a shirt had wrinkles or a collar was stretched out, they kept it that way. If there were light stains, they washed the clothes but did not remove the marks completely. She said these details helped show the lives of normal workers who may not worry about fashion every day.

To dress the characters, Smith did a lot of research. She looked at LinkedIn photos, family pictures, and social media accounts of people living in the Midwest. Then she visited thrift stores, because many people from that background shop secondhand. She said that buying clothes that had already been worn gave them personality and a sense of history.

For the main character, Ron Trosper, played by Tim Robinson, she searched bins of old ties and shoes that already looked tired. She explained that this choice was good for the environment but also helped the character feel more real. Clothes that are not new make the audience feel that the character has lived a normal life before the show begins.

As the show’s story changes, the clothing also changes slowly. When Ron’s character begins to grow and see the world differently, the clothes around him also become brighter and a little more stylish. This small shift shows the character’s emotional and personal changes without needing big drama.

Every background actor in the series has clothing that reflects their personality. Smith said the goal was never to make anyone look beautiful or perfect. Instead, the goal was to show real people — flawed, funny, tired, and human.

With this approach, The Chair Company stands out from many other shows that focus heavily on fashion. The imperfect clothing helps viewers connect more deeply with the characters and their everyday struggles. It makes the comedy feel closer to real life, where clothes are not always ironed, matching, or new.

The show uses clothing to tell a story about ordinary people, and that simple choice is one of its strongest and most relatable features.