A former Costume Design graduate reviews Bridgerton’s costumes | all 3 seasons breakdown & analysis

[@maybebre]

Just to clarify bc I did NOT explain myself well, I don’t actually think the designer bought fabric from Joann’s, the fabric just looks like it COULD have come from Joann’s! Also sorry for the Joann’s slander in the video, I’ve passed it down from my college professors lol.

[@hockeygrrlmuse]

It's a perfectly respectable store for a wide variety of craft needs! But professional designers would presumably have more industry contacts & better sources for bulk fabrics.... so it's a fair dig to throw out there! Edited to add lol I could've held my tongue, you said almost this exact thing about 5 minutes in. (I was skimming the comments during your intro)

[@therewillbecatswithgwenhwyfar]

@@hockeygrrlmuseLol I do the same. But I also like it when I find my comments are the same as the video creators. ❤😂

[@theduke5355]

Yeah Daphnes costumes in season 1 were very underwhelming. Cresidas designs in season 3 were UNHINGED.

[@maybebre]

Right?! Sometimes i think they work, and others... Cressida is another 50/50 for me

[@HereIAm247]

I actually liked Daphnes costumes - there was a simplicity and an 'innocence' about the dresses and hair/makeup. I like Eloise season 3 style as well - yes, her season 1 dresses were bad, but it was kind of meant to be, I think. My least favourite Bridgerton style was Francescas. The actor is beautiful, don't get me wrong. But compared to both Daphne and Eloise, she looks way more mature, in both makeup and dress style. Her dresses seem to be more 'silky, but plain', whereas both Daphne and Eloise were more about embroidery, but less 'shiny' fabrics. Daphne and Eloise also tend towards more dainty and feminine shilouettes, and youthful as well. Whereas they desssed Francesca slightly more bulky around the shoulders, and made her dresses more figure hugging. It felt a bit like a strange combo - maybe more of an 80'es shilouette, but Bridgerton style?

[@breensprout]

totally unhinged but i think they kind of work for her character, like she is someone who is always trying very hard to be noticed

[@starshipslala]

@@breensproutagreed, their explanation of why they made her costumes so outside the box made sense

[@OsloTime]

Hahaha, I don't remember where I read it but someone said that Cressida was "peacocking" since she was looking for a husband and was desperate. I agree with you, it was too damn much! 😂😂😂

[@Kiki-cs8xv]

Apparently, Eloise's S3 costume with the coat and the muff was done to hide the fact that the actress had broken her wrist, and she was in a cast.

[@maybebre]

I saw that too! i wondered why the muffs stood out to me lol

[@missanne2908]

The muff and the coat make the lack of a bonnet all the more glaring.

[@lavenderdblasio1578]

I cant believe people like kate's costumes in s3 better. As a brown girl, she looked WAYYY better in s2. I almost felt like her s3 costumes were a hatecrime. The "indian" inspiration was a joke. Her s2 sleeves and colour palette were way more in line with south indian clothing

[@ArgoBargo]

Damn I’m people. I just like the color pallet they used in season 3 ig. She looked more comfortable and regal. But i don’t know what I’m talking about really

[@starshipslala]

respectfully the all blue sari esque dress was beautiful on her !!

[@erinandthe1580]

Yea I think their “attempts” of a cultural dress just looked like a caricature. I wish they could just stick to the nods from S2 or if they want to do sari inspired, just have her wear a sari. She s from India, I think she can describe what one looks like to the modiste 😂

[@Jazillia007]

I think with Penelope the difference (to Kate) is that she is supposed to look like that her mother doesn't put much effort in spending money on her, in a daughter without any prospect for marriage. And then s3 happens in which Penelope is actually spending her own money on her dresses. Overall it's purposeful. And while I don't always like the fashion in Bridgerton, I think they go for a look which is rarely seen in other shows. Also: thank you for the great analysis. :D

[@Sarcasmhime]

The fit of these dresses was bugging me and I couldn't put my finger on it until I realized it's the bust construction. The reason the nightgowns look better is that they have the historically accurate gathered bodices that give a much softer and more pleasing bust shape. For some reason they made all the outer dresses with a modern princess seam and barely any shaping; it flattens their boobs and also makes them look like they all came from David's Bridal. It's so disappointing.

[@HereIAm247]

I actually think the less defined bust in the first seasons gave them a more youthful appearance, which fit well since they are supposed to be very young and innocent. I think this is why I didn't like the way they dressed Francesca - they gave her an 80'es shilouette with fairly figure hugging dresses, but bulky around the shoulders, and much more bold makeup. It made the actress seem much older and more mature than she is supposed to be. Beautiful actress - but the outfits seemed way off for the character she was portraying.

[@missanne2908]

In regards to Eloise's hair styles - historically hair was worn up at maturity, which for the ton meant when a young woman was presented at court. Hair would be worn long before that.

[@DimaRakesah]

A lot of the costumes give me "Highschool Prom but Regency"

[@reading1713]

Yeah they spoke about how Audrey Hepburn was apart of the inspiration for Eloise so its cool you clocked it. Also the actress looks so great in seafoam green, wildly enough so does Penelope when she also wears the seafoam green

[@susanjeffries5108]

Completely agree with you about Violet and Kate's dresses! So many gorgeous details and flattering colors and cuts on them. Love the tulip sleeve, love the richness of the fabrics and the velvets. They definitely had their color theory down with these two. That dress that Violet wears with the birds on it is outstanding. Something about it is so delightful. I think the whimsy of it is what really caught my attention. Love little nature details in apparel.

[@KatJonesCrochet]

Season 1 feels like a bunch of dresses were made, strictly by patterns, and then maybe tried to tailor to the actor

[@maybebre]

that is SUCH a good point!

[@ultramarinetoo]

Some of the costumes are a little bit hit-or-miss I do like the over-the-topness which contributes to the overall frothy spirit. And at least the Featherington fabrics are supposed to look cheap, there's a reference somewhere of the modiste hinting that these are the left-over fabrics (that no-one wanted). 36:45 usually the "greeny blues" are considered the cool blues, and the red-leaning ones as the warm blues.

[@samsontheladle]

I have been HOPING for more costume opinions, thank you for making this video! I kind of like that Eloise has just piles of stuff around her face in season 1 - its like shes hiding, and she doesn't feel like she belongs in that world, and doesnt want to be noticed. And I loved the tweedy jacket thing on Francesca (but not really anyone else). They sort of felt like armor, as opposed to the wispy fabric that other characters wore, which is in line with her character seeking peace and solitude and calm away from the crowd. Also I think Penelope's wedding dress was beautiful, but to me it just didn't feel right. There's a dress she wore early in season 3 (I think when Varley compliments her), with the dark blue floral embroidery in lovely sections, and a tiny little sheer jacket, and something about that look feels so in harmony with Nicola's beauty in a way that Penelope's wedding dress didn't. The satin and structure of the wedding dress felt harsh and stiff and made her seem like she was trying to be older than she was, whereas those softer sheer fabrics just make her look so stunning and natural and mature. I wish we could have saved that wedding dress style for another actress and given Penelope/Nicola something more ethereal and light. Also am in full agreement about Kate, I love her costumes, am sad we don't get to see more haha Would love to hear your thoughts on the Extras throughout the series, especially on s3 - the mains get to have their fun, but I feel like the extras and minor characters really impact the vibe of each season, especially this latest one (where everyone looks like a featherington?)

[@maybebre]

ooooo totally get your point about Eloise, & i will have to check out that costume for Penelope from season 1!

[@erinandthe1580]

About the wedding dress, I think they didn’t really display her age well through her dress. Shes in a dress that the actress, who is in her 30s would wear, very mature, no lace or floral detail. Daphnes wedding dress felt more age appropriate because of the princess sleeves and the floral detail. They should’ve gone with something that really leaned into the girlishness Penelope has showed off before, not a dress you’d wear to your second wedding

[@mele9952]

I loved your take on the costumes. Definitely hope theres more color in the mens costumes in the future

[@maybebre]

thank you! & me too, they feel so disconnected imo!

[@TIFFANYDlAS]

Okay I so so agree about loving the costuming on the older ladies!!! Sadly the often overlook older women in costume dramas but they really do so well in Bridgeton

[@detektiveconanfreak]

I agree with you on almost all points, except that I really liked the simplicity of season 1 and think that they went a bit too far with the minor cast and background actors in season 3 (to a point that I was like...wait...should I know their names??). My favorite season is definitely season 2 and I love that that seems to be the general consensus so really I have no notes on that one, just very good all around including the Anthony glow up. For Penelope in season 3 I have some good, some bad. I really really liked the color choices for her transformation, with how they went bold with that deep green at first and then let her find herself with the softer tones. The embroidery detailing was also really really nice! However...I personally have a big issue with the underthings. Like...as someone who is closer to Penelope in plumpness than the any of the other actresses in the show I was so excited that she would get to show the world that you can be bigger and still look beautiful and sexy, and like..she did look beautiful (bc how can you not with that face). But with the way they specifically gave her a corset, that was more a modern fashion corset than anything historical I have ever seen and was clearly made to make her look slimmer and more "hourglass shaped," I was just so disappointed. It just reads to me like "yes you can be beautiful and sexy if you are bigger, but only if you are shaped correctly." They didn't even let her body breathe in the nightgown scenes...she is still wearing that corset underneath the damn nightgown...why?? Your have a leading lady with a great natural body and absolutely gorgeous large boobs (and she is very proud about that) and you confine her in a tight corset at all times??? In the historical sexy times show??? Booooo!! Sry for the rambling but man that aspect really disappointed me so much I had to get it off my chest lol

[@gothic_llama]

I agree on the simplicity. s3 costumes just felt too much, I actually didn't like that basically every gown had embroidery or lots of ruffles and 3D flowers sewn on the sleeves (I would love to see just a ribbon or a lace rim around the sleeves). Also, please stop putting the actresses in corsets, which many of them complained about, and let them wear well-fitted stays!

[@erinandthe1580]

Agree on the corset, it feels like being catfished or even gaslight. When I saw Penelope in S1 and S2 I didn’t wish she had an hourglass figure, I just thought she was gorgeous. They need to trust their audience more to find the main leads attractive. Nicola and Luke were too “yassified” this season

[@Pr0fessorScience]

The corsets... I've seen a lot of costumers and historical fashion experts complain about how stupid and unnecessary the use of long-line corsets for regency style dress is, but can we also take a moment to discuss how *bad* it looks? Almost every f-ing scene, we are seeing a hard ridge of something poking out from underneath the dresses across the upper hip and it looks like utter garbage. 11:36 when you're discussing how bad the bustline looks on Phoebe/Daphne, wtf is that ridge poking out across her abdomen?!? WHY?!? It's bad enough that the actors are being forced into apparently ill-fitted undergarments (based on their complaints of how uncomfortable they were), but undergarments that don't even make sense with the clothes on top of them and make the clothes look *worse*? Who tf thought this was a good idea?

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I am hoping costume designers and their teams dod not have a rushed deadline to get the costumes done. That could explain why so many were uncomfortable.

[@leilanyx_]

ik ppl have mentioned it already and you briefly referenced the fact it's supposed to look a bit tacky, but penelope is supposed to stand out w her dresses and look garish and tacky - for one, the featherington's like you mentioned, are new money and esp in s2, they're struggling financially after lord featherington's death. but for the most part, lady featherington intentionally dressed her daughters in yellow, green, orange, pink etc aka citrus colours (it's an intentional colour palette for the featherington's) bc she wants her daughters to be seen - she genuinely thinks they look beautiful.

[@leilanyx_]

personally i think penelope would actually suit a more golden or warmer yellow - i think kate wear's a really pretty peachy orange dress that i think might suit penelope more - rather than the citrus

[@micheledix2616]

In the books Pen's mother insists on dressing Pen in yellows as she ( Lady Featherington ) thinks 'yellow' is a 'happy' colour that will attract men!!!!! In book 1 Pen & Eloise are only 17 and Lady Featherington insists that all 3 of the Featherington girls make their debut as it was less expensive. Which is why Eloise ( then 18) makes her debut 12 months later in book 2

[@alwaysrootingfortheantihero123]

i thought the spencer’s were often ugly but i loved that eloise wore them. her higher neckline post debut prevented anyone from seeing cleavage. it was like her modesty was an intentional protest against being seen as an object.

[@starshipslala]

Ik season 3 costumes for background characters are being hated on her being too “bright and bold” but personally I LOVE IT! I just love that the costuming department brought COLOR! The vibrancy, the details and embroidery of all the dresses and men’s costumes were 10/10 for me!! Personally, S1 and S2 was cute and I get people loved the simplicity of the costumes but idkkkk S3 ate in the costumes for me

[@lynn2574]

The awful colors and tacky look of the Featherington’s is a big plot point of the books. Penelope hated the colors she was forced to wear, but it was always at her mother’s insistence.

[@kindalegendary-mh4wk]

this was so fun!!! love seeing your costume analysis

[@maybebre]

aw thank you!!!

[@mirandajewell23]

7:04 I believe that purple dress of Daphne is from season 2.

[@saltyfrog3339]

I’d love to see you review the outfits of the borgias

[@caterinapicco7316]

Maybe an unpopular opinion herw but i didn't like kate's costumes in s3. She looks so beautiful but with the hair and makeup is just too much, especially the one she wore at the engagement party(??) with the sheer high neck overlay

[@HereIAm247]

Yes, they definitely turned up the makeup (and acrylic nails) in season 3. Felt way off.

[@erinandthe1580]

Agree. And trust it’s not unpopular, at least in the places I’ve seen people talk about the costumes. I miss her teals and purples, they blended perfectly with her skin tone

[@genaattwood5688]

Simons green pin that he wears was his mothers.

[@mlove.1376]

You keep saying teal. I either see green or blue, but not teal.

[@hockeygrrlmuse]

This is an ongoing debate with my parents. My sister & I both see certain teals as more blue than green and our parents both see them as more green than blue. It's very interesting to debate where the line is.

[@leilanyx_]

i'd say it's more of a pastel turquoise than teal anyway.

[@lizette2840]

Have you seen the video where the costume designer explains the costumes?, he knows it's not "accurate" and he doesn't give a crap, algo he hates bonets thats why we don't see any in the series.

[@firstchoice7761]

The fabric in the first season was printed not embroidered. At least that's what it looked like to me. Horrible costumes in all. Usually I love the men's costumes, but again very, very boring.

[@islandelafleur7727]

I hated the green dress she wears in season two. The ugliest dress ever