The Meaning Behind Rue's Maroon Hoodie Is Deeper Than You Think

The second season of "Euphoria" continues to explore the realities of substance abuse disorder and the detrimental effects it has on a person's physical and mental health. We watch Rue continue down a dark and dangerous path of substance abuse throughout this season, even risking losing the people she loves. While Rue's personality and desires have become muddled along the way, one of the aspects of her characteristics that has stayed constant is her attachment to her maroon hoodie. Rue is seen wearing the oversized maroon hoodie as early as the pilot episode of "Euphoria" when she returns from rehab. She's seen wearing it at several points throughout the series, and in episode five of season two, as Gia packs Rue's bags to go to rehab, she is shaken when she spots the hoodie among Rue's clothes.

At the end of season one, we learn that the hoodie belonged to her late father, who wore it during his battle with cancer. In season one, episode eight, as she walks back from the train station after Jules leaves, we get flashbacks of Rue entering her late father's room, where her mother is crying. She spots the maroon hoodie, picks it up, and walks out, putting it on while crying. For Rue, the hoodie is more than just something that her father wore — it's a security blanket. She seemingly wears the hoodie throughout the series as a form of comfort, as it helps her remember the touch and embrace of her late father.

During her high in season two, episode four, Rue hallucinates that she's at a funeral service. She slowly enters and spots Jules and Elliot sitting in the pews, but her focus is on Labrinth, who is wearing maroon and singing at the front of the congregation. When she reaches the front of the church, she hugs Labrinth tight, and the scene switches to her hugging her father instead, who is wearing the maroon hoodie. Rue holds onto her father, telling him she isn't a good person and apologizing for letting him down. But her father replies that he knows her and he's always with her. Rue craves her father's love and presence, and at this point of her substance abuse disorder, the high is what brings her closer to him.

The color maroon itself can symbolize strength and love, mirroring Rue's love for her father and the strength she feels when wearing the hoodie. However, wearing maroon can also be associated with intense passion and even anger, which is at the core of Rue's grief. She deals with a range of emotions because of her substance abuse disorder, which we see throughout the show but especially in the first part of episode five.

After finding out that Jules and Elliot not only told her mother about her relapse, but that they also helped flush the drugs in her suitcase down the toilet, Rue expresses her fear through angry outbursts. In these scenes, Rue is not wearing the hoodie, and her emotional state is out of control. Rue is mad at herself for her disorder and feels like she's not a good person or worthy of her father's love.

It's easy to forget that Rue is only 17 years old because of her struggles and trauma. However, the hoodie doesn't just represent comfort and security — it reflects Rue's inner strength and strong will that could eventually help her overcome her substance abuse disorder.