5 ‘Bridgerton’ Fashion Trends You Can Actually Wear in 2021
If you’re like me and have been working from home this past year, you may have experienced a Groundhog’s Day type of situation with your stuck-at-home wardrobe. Much-needed outfit inspiration has been in short supply, but thankfully the Bridgerton costumes—with all of their fanciful and over-the-top looks—have given me a sweet respite from the doldrums of pandemic dressing.
Bridgerton, based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling series of romance novels and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, contains copious amounts of eye candy, from the sets to the actors (hello, Regé-Jean Page)—but the fashion is as irresistible as Lady Whistledown’s papers. While the characters scheme, fall in love, and engage in other gossip-making activities, they don empire-waist gowns, dresses with ruffled lace sleeves, and decadent jewels, making Bridgerton attire a source of inspiration for modern fashion lovers. The outfits seen in the show easily go hand-in-hand with the romantic cottagecore aesthetics and Savage x Fenty–inspired boudoir dressing we’re seeing all over Instagram.
Fashion historians may complain about the costumes’ not being accurate for the era, but neither are the glorious string renditions of modern pop songs like Ariana Grande’s breakup anthem “Thank U, Next” and Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” which soundtrack the series. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnic is behind the opulent gowns and headpieces seen on the Bridgerton clan and their cohorts in this alternate-universe version of 19th-century high society London. Because the show is meant to be a fantasy version of the Regency period, Mirojnick was able to take liberties with the clothing, changing the color palette and fabrics, and refraining from bonnets. Mirojnic, whose work spans such films as Showgirls, Behind the Candelabra, and The Greatest Showman, created 5,000 costumes with her team—7,500 pieces in total—for the eight-episode first season.
Corsets, an element of cottagecore dressing that’s already been trending, will no doubt get another boost from the show—but there’s so much more sumptuous Regency-eqsue inspiration you can incorporate into your wardrobe. Ahead, five shoppable Bridgerton fashion trends Daphne and her crew would easily wear today.
Fancy house dresses
If empire-waist Bridgerton dresses aren’t really your thing, you can still invoke the show’s vibe by wearing a dress that has puff sleeves. It’s ideal because puff sleeves are typically seen on comfy casual garments, such as the nap dress that was everywhere last year. While a house dress usually consists of a breezy fabric and a silhouette that’s easy to move around in, the puff elevates it to something special. Think of these as Bridgerton light.
$125.00, Hill House Home
$320.00, Shopbop
Smocked Bodice Ruffle Day Dress
$100.00, Eloquii
Mint Green Linen Dress with Embroidery
$269.00, Fanm Mon Datcha
Faithfull the Brand + Net Sustain Bette Shirred Floral-Print Crepe Midi Dress
$189.00, Net-a-Porter
LoveShackFancy Clemence Floral-Print Maxi Dress
$610.00, Farfetch
Elaborate hair adornments
Mirojnick may not have allowed any of the characters to wear bonnets, but there is rarely a bare head seen in the show. From the Bridgertons to the Featheringtons to every high-society lady in between, bejeweled tiaras, ribbon headbands, feather headpieces, and floral hair decor are the accessories of choice.
Gold-Tone Crystal & Imitation-Pearl Wrap Headband
$49.5.00, INC International Concepts
DesignB London Double-Row Headband in Pearl
$9.5.00, ASOS
$435.00, Farfetch
Lele Sadoughi Faux-Pearl-Embellished Velvet Bow Barrette
$125.00, Saks Fifth Avenue
Elegant necklaces
Like hair accessories, jewelry is another important element of Bridgerton fashion, and it comes with just as much variety. While Daphne usually wears more understated necklaces like ribbon chokers and delicate crystals, the other characters, like Lady Danbury and the Featheringtons, tend to wear more opulent, statement pieces. The only rule for necklaces is that they should be choker length or close to it. No long chains here!
Betsey Johnson Gold-Tone Glitter-Rose Frontal Necklace
$68.00, Nordstrom
Baublebar Supernova Braided Crystal Collar Necklace
$68.00, Nordstrom
Florence Round-Gemstone Necklace in Silver and Blue Topaz
$159.00, Wolf & Badger
$79.00, Vanessa Mooney
Choker Necklace in Graduating Pearls
$9.00, ASOS
Swarovski Women’s Angelic Jewelry Collection
$229.00, Amazon
Dainty flats
If you have an aversion to high heels or your feet have just gotten used to wearing house slippers all day, you’ll appreciate this Bridgerton-inspired shoe trend: flats! Regency-era shoes were usually reminiscent of ballet slippers, so a pair of leather ballerina flats (embellished or not) is the perfect tribute in the form of footwear.
Lanvin Round-Toe Ballerina Shoes
$440.00, Farfetch
$118.00, Everlane
Wide-Fit Lolly Mary Jane Ballet Flats
$26.00, ASOS
Simone Rocha Pink Satin Crisscross Ballerina Flats
$625.00, Ssense
Extravagant gloves
Gloves are usually restricted to being a wintertime necessity, but this old-school accessory is long overdue for some time in the spotlight. The high-society ladies of Bridgerton are seen in a wide variety of glove styles, from wrist-length lace to opera-length satin. It may be the most far-flung trend of the bunch, but if you’re looking to make a statement at your next picnic, look no further.
$180.00, Sleeper
$10.00, Savage X Fenty
Ivory Crave the Feeling Rhinestone Gloves
$15.00, Dolls Kill
Tender and Dangerous Embroidered Sheer Gloves
$155.00, Farfetch
Lacey Vintage Pink Floral Overlay Lace Gloves
$24.00, Etsy
$7.00, Amazon
Originally Appeared on Glamour