Allison Stroman - With the continual rise in popularity of Bridgerton, based on the books by Julia Quinn, fans try to emulate their favorite character’s outfits and fashion historians comment on the historical accuracy and creative liberties of the costumes.
The most recent season was released in two parts, with the second part released on June 13. These costumes were more “mysterious” and subtle, according to the designers, since the audiences were already familiar with the characters and their position within the storyline. Influenced by Regency fashion, the dresses were layered to create a sparkling look or a more nuanced color. The necklines on the women’s dresses are drawn from Regency-era formal wear and the straight silhouettes of many of the dresses are accurate to the period. That being said, Bridgerton’s costume designers take certain creative liberties with the attire in the show. A possibly less noticed feature in these changes to the classic Regency silhouette concerns the women’s headwear. Women in Bridgerton do not wear bonnets. Furthermore, the vivid colors draw in a more contemporary influence and reflect each character’s background, personality, storyline, and place in society. That being said, a key costume in Season 3 demonstrates a piece of fashion history overlooked in past seasons: Penelope’s wedding dress. Penelope’s wedding dress is a light blush tone rather than white. White wedding dresses were not yet the fashion in the Regency era and were quite uncommon.
According to fashion historian Kate Strasdin, “Bridergton is a fantasy, it isn’t supposed to be accurate” which allows some leeway in terms of the costuming. A detail Strasdin noticed was how different characters dress in different eras depending on their status and personality which furthers the costumes as more of a character representation than an exact historical replica. Fashion historian Margot Rashba agrees with the notion of Bridgerton as a “[f]antastical version of history” that combines contemporary influences and colors with the silhouettes of the time period. These embellishments “create a new universe” specific to production's storytelling needs.
Ranging from around 1812 to 1830, the Regency Era began when the Prince of Wales became Regent of England after George III, his father, was declared insane. Womenswear had low, wide necklines that were “filled in for daytime with fichus, scarves, or chemisettes”. These dresses had an empire waist and “a fitted bodice, and fitted sleeves”. The period started with simple garments with little embroidery and narrow silhouettes. Starting around 1810, this simplicity went on the decline with 1815 marking the end of simplicity and transition into more complex, layered dresses. At this point, the hemline on dresses had “artificial flowers, beadwork, lace, and netting” with similar decorations on the sleeves. Towards the close of this period, the waistline dropped to a more natural placement and the skirts grew in width.
According to the University of Liverpool, styling for one’s status and wealth was commonplace: “The emerging middle classes, in particular, used fashionable dress as a marker of their rising social position in society. Through their clothes, they marked themselves out as a part of an upwardly mobile social group, and reflected their individual tastes.” At the time, white was the most popular color for fabric and embellishments or embroidery alike. A key influence in Regency-era fashion came from the recently discovered ancient Greek and Roman statues. These gauzy garments accentuated the subject’s figure: “Echoing this statuary, women’s high-waisted, low-necked, sleeveless gowns, often with only a simple shift beneath, revealed their arms and the outline of their bodies.” In accessories, bright colors provided contrast to the plain white of the dresses. The most common fabric of this era was printed cotton since advancements in technology made it faster and less expensive to produce.
Much like the repurposed dress, emulating the Bridgerton and Regency silhouettes does not mean you need to buy new pieces. Repurpose Wardrobe has pieces in stock with the wide necklines, straight cuts, and puffed sleeves reminiscent of your favorite Bridgerton character.
Left to Right: Ulla Johnson Dress; Armani Collezioni Dress