Bridgerton Costume Review
In coincidence with this year’s ever-popular corset trend, the costumes in Netflix’s new period drama, Bridgerton, put a modern twist on Regency-era fashion. The Regency-set drama is a romantic, steamy, and fun exploration of high society in London and the love lives of those entering the marriage market. The story follows Daphne, the eldest daughter of the highly respected Bridgerton family, who enters the marriage market. The drama starts when she fails to find a suitor but then catches the eye of a duke who swears he will never marry.
Renowned costume designer Ellen Mirojnick accomplished an amazing feat by creating around 7,500 bespoke pieces for the show. Out of the entire wardrobe, around 5,000 costumes made it on screen, and leading-lady, Daphne Bridgerton had a total of 104 costume changes throughout the season. While the Bridgerton costumes were historically inaccurate (which, for period-fashion loving enthusiasts like me, was a little disappointing), they were gorgeous and unique. In an interview, Mirojnick said she strayed away from traditional Regency-era fashion on purpose to create a more modern feel for the show. She made several contemporary changes to the costumes such as extending the typical color range of light pastels to include bright and loud colors. Mirojnick also over-embellished the gowns with rhinestones, feathers, ruffles, and crystals. There was also more glitter than gowns in the 19th century would typically have.
While the extravagant embroidery she includes in her gowns is not at all historically accurate, I think it’s a useful tool in showing the characters’ status and personalities. For several of Daphne’s ball gowns, there was a lot of complex embroidery used. This would have never happened during the early 19th century because the fabrics and labor were too expensive to make anything so elaborate. However, I think the over-embellishments and extensive embroidery of her ball gowns helped portray Daphne’s wealth, status, and desirability amongst the people at court. While all of Daphne’s gowns were gorgeous, I do wish they changed up her look a little more. All of her gowns are in a similar color and the same silhouette, which got boring throughout the season.
Bridgerton S1E2 (Netflix)
The embroidered jewels on Daphne's gown normally wouldn't be this elaborate nor in this area of the dress in the regency era.
Bridgerton S1E1 (Netflix)
Another example of over-embroidery.
Daphne’s lavish gowns also helped show the unification with her family. The Bridgerton family costumes were some of my favorites in the show. They were mostly dressed in powdery, pastel colors to indicate stability and prosperity. I loved the dark blue waistcoats Anthony wore because they helped signify that he was the head of the household. In my opinion, Eloise had the best costumes in the show. She wears gorgeous chemisettes throughout the series which fits because it shows her youth and matches her character to be modest. I also loved how the details of the chemisette were tied at the neck. It gives a more masculine feel to the costumes and matches her desire to stray away from female gender norms.
Bridgerton S1E1 (Netflix)
Anthony Bridgerton's blue velvet waistcoat and green shirt establishes him as head of the Bridgerton family
Bridgerton S1E1 & S1E2 (Netflix)
The over-embellishments also helped make the Featherington family stand out. In the show and the novels, the Featherington’s are portrayed as an ugly, tacky family who come from new money. Mirojnick portrayed this in their costumes by using extremely bright colors and an ungodly amount of floral motifs. However, I do think they took Lady Featherington’s costume design a little too far. Her costumes are the most period inaccurate and look more like they are from the 2010s. The only thing in the gowns that is reminiscent of the 19th century is the empire line distinction. However, her dresses’ empire lines are completely unnecessary because all of her gowns are cinched at the natural waistline. I think the addition of the empire line just made the whole look awkward, and the over-modernization of her clothes took me out of the period. Her gowns also have an angular sweetheart neckline to accentuate her breasts, unlike the other characters’ squared necklines and tight corsets. While I understand that they sexualized Lady Featherington to indicate poor taste, I think they missed an opportunity to create outrageous and period-accurate costumes.
Bridgerton S1E6 & S1E2 (Netflix)
PORTRAIT OF FÉLICITÉ-LOUISE-JULIE-CONSTANCE DE DURFORT, MARÉCHALE DE BEURNONVILLE
by Mary-Joseph Blondel (Matthiesen Gallery)
Ultimately, while these costumes are a historical mess, I think Mirojnick did an amazing job synthesizing Regency-era fashion with current trends. The costumes helped strengthen the storytelling and transported us to a fantasy version of 1813 London. Her attention to detail and extravagant costuming were beautiful and I’m looking forward to seeing her work next season!
Check out how FASTatUCLA created the infamous Bridgerton look below!
Photography Kayla Cambell
Models: Chizaram Iwuanyanwu & Queena Chu
-Nicole Tan