Kunal Nayyar Reveals Why Raj’s Wardrobe Still Haunts Him Years After The Big Bang Theory
For 12 seasons, Kunal Nayyar charmed audiences around the world as Raj Koothrappali, the sweet but socially anxious astrophysicist on The Big Bang Theory. While Raj quickly became one of the show’s most beloved characters, Nayyar admits that one part of playing him never sat right: the clothes.
In a recent interview, the actor opened up about just how much he disliked Raj’s wardrobe—and why those fashion choices have left a lasting impression on him even now, years after the show ended.
A First Glance at Raj’s Closet
Nayyar recalled his reaction the first time he saw the character’s costumes: layered sweater vests, patterned shirts with oversized collars, zip-up jackets, and cargo pants. His immediate thought was disbelief. “I was like, ‘Oh man, I’m gonna have to wear this for the next decade?’” he remembered.
To the actor—someone who genuinely enjoys fashion in real life—the sight of those clothes was nothing short of a nightmare. Raj’s style wasn’t just quirky; it was aggressively mismatched, with clashing colors and strange combinations that no self-respecting fashion lover would willingly choose.
Perfect for Raj, Painful for Kunal
But while Nayyar found the wardrobe “ridiculously hideous,” he also recognized that it was exactly right for Raj. The costume department had intentionally designed the look to reflect Raj’s awkwardness and lack of confidence. The layers created a sense of protection, almost like armor, while the mix of styles suggested a man trying—sometimes too hard—to fit in with his friends.
It worked brilliantly for storytelling. Audiences could look at Raj and immediately understand something about his character: he was endearing, eccentric, and a little lost when it came to self-expression.
For Nayyar, though, it was a constant reminder of how far Raj’s style was from his own.
Fashion PTSD
Even after the show wrapped in 2019, Nayyar confessed that his time in Raj’s closet has left scars. Certain items of clothing are now completely off-limits for him. He admitted he can’t look at cargo pants or vintage-patterned sweaters without flashing back to the years he spent in Raj’s outfits.
“It’s ruined for me,” he admitted with a laugh. “I just can’t wear them.”
This kind of fashion aversion isn’t unusual for actors who spend years in character-specific costumes, but Nayyar’s frustration is unique because of how much he personally cares about clothing. For someone passionate about style, being forced into unflattering ensembles for over a decade was, in his words, “brutal.”
The Double-Edged Sword of Iconic Costumes
Of course, the irony is that Raj’s look—no matter how much Nayyar hated it—has become iconic. Fans can instantly picture the sweater vests, the corduroy pants, and the jacket-layering, and they immediately think of Raj. The wardrobe helped cement the character in pop culture, even if it left the actor rolling his eyes.
In a way, Nayyar’s experience highlights the double-edged sword of costuming on television. Clothes can transform an actor into a character and give audiences visual clues about who they’re watching. But for the performer, living in those clothes day after day can be exhausting, especially if the style clashes so heavily with their own taste.
Looking Back
Today, Nayyar can laugh about the experience, but he doesn’t downplay how much of an impact it had on him. “I love fashion in real life,” he said. “So to play a character who wore the worst clothes imaginable for twelve years—yeah, that’s not something you just forget.”
Still, he remains proud of what the costumes accomplished. Raj’s fashion may have been disastrous, but it was also part of what made him so memorable. And in the end, Nayyar admits, if the choice came down to personal fashion versus perfect character storytelling, the right decision was made.
The Lasting Legacy of Raj’s Style
The Big Bang Theory made household names out of its cast, and each character’s look became part of their signature. For Raj, that meant clothes that Kunal Nayyar personally loathed—but which audiences adored as part of the character’s charm.
Years later, Nayyar may have sworn off sweater vests for good, but his portrayal of Raj remains a fan favorite. And even if he still shudders at the thought of cargo pants, there’s no denying that Raj’s questionable fashion sense played a key role in turning him into one of the most unforgettable sitcom characters of his generation.
