10 Doctor Who Secrets That Were Hiding In Plain Sight

Long coat, neckerchief, waistcoat... despite what he may say to the contrary, John Hurt's costume in The Day of the Doctor really does scream "I am the Doctor!"

And from a behind-the-scenes perspective, there are two thoughtful additions that brilliantly play into the true nature of this forgotten incarnation.

One is the bandolier previously worn by Cass in The Night of the Doctor, that the War Doctor wears across his chest as a reminder of the life he failed to save. Since at least the 15th century, bandoliers have been used by soldiers to carry ammunition. So for the War Doctor to also wear a bandolier, something so intrinsically linked to the field of combat, is a big sign that he is not your average incarnation.

Less obvious are the boots that the War Doctor wears throughout The Day of the Doctor. These are actually combat boots, as clearly evidenced by the footprints he leaves in the red sand of the Gallifreyan wilderness.

When the Doctor has worn boots in the past, they've been worn for style and comfort, such as David Tennant's iconic Converse. So to see the costume designers put in this much care truly helps sell the idea that this is a much different kind of Doctor than we've ever seen before.