How come it won best custome design?

I wondered that, too, 'cause I didn't think the costumes were anything to write home about. I was also shocked that films like Evita or 101 Dalmatians didn't get recognition. I thought their costumes were better, but The English Patient became a cultural phenomenon of sorts and was riding the big wave of success. When this happens to a movie, they usually sweep the Oscars, deservedly or not.

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Probably because the beautiful ladies wore their birthday suits.

Just finished watching it and wondered the same thing. Enjoyed the movie greatly but the costumes whilst very good were not particularly impressive especially in comparison to the films mentioned by other posters. I actually remember thinking that white dress Katherine wears at the club looked a bit cheap and not very period. I think marvelass is correct about the phenomenon of the movie kind of hyping everything up even in areas where it wasn't necessarily the superlative contender.

Interesting that A&I came out the same year. Did not realize it as the same actress is in both films.

I suspect with two "Victorian" films, TEP stood out more. I found it interesting that Hanna only has three changes of costumes and K in almost every scene is in something different.