The countdown to Bridgerton is on. With just days to go before Shondaland's highly anticipated period drama makes its Netflix debut on December 25 — and with a gorgeous full-length trailer recently released for your viewing pleasure — people are already buzzing about the show’s elaborate, over-the-top costuming, which is an absolute feast for the eyes. The series’ costume designer, Ellen Mirojnick, brought to life the fashion of 19th century England through a gratuitous use of pattern, texture, and color.
If you’re looking to add some of these elements to your own wardrobe, we’ve rounded up dozens of options that will help you capture and convey that signature high society Bridgerton look. Tea and crumpets not included.
The lace
No material evokes romance quite like lace. It’s delicate, intricate, and just a little can go a very long way. According to the National Museum of American History, which is home to an extensive lace collection, “decorated nets” have been around for thousands of years, but lace as we’ve come to know it didn’t become popular until the early 16th century.
“Members of royalty, the aristocracy, and the Catholic Church were the main consumers for fine laces,” the museum explains on its website. “Men and women competed to display the most exquisite lace on their fashionable clothes — King Charles I of Great Britain, for example, bought 1600 yards of lace to ornament his shirts.”
It’s not surprising, then, that the Bridgerton cast wears a whole lot of lace. While back then it may have made for a typical head-to-toe look — like a lace gown paired with lace gloves — doing so today might be a bit much. To effectively modernize this centuries-old fabric, the key is balancing it out with other textures so it doesn’t overwhelm your ensemble. Think a lace dress juxtaposed with a distressed denim jacket or a tailored camel blazer, or a lace top paired with sleek black trousers.
Designer Labels
Super Eight High-Rise Lace Trousers
Everyday labels
The brocade
Even if you’re not familiar with the term, odds are you’ve come across all sorts of brocade throughout your life. The ubiquitous pattern is usually associated with anything antique, like old furniture upholstered with brocade fabric or floor-sweeping curtains made from similar material. Brocade is somewhat of an optical illusion — it features elaborate designs that appear to be embroidered or embossed. When in reality, it’s the weft technique, which essentially layers weaves one on top of the other, that creates the appearance of embroidery or embossment.
Brocade was first produced in China, and iterations of the fabric made their way around the world, from India to Persia to Europe. Back in the early 19th century in Regency London, it was commonly used for the dresses of high society women because of its gorgeous, ornate detailing. While wearing a brocade ball gown is probably not on your sartorial horizon anytime soon, you can still find ways to incorporate this intricate material into your everyday wardrobe.
Like lace, moderation is important to keep in mind. Balance brocade trousers with a classic white button-up and nude heels for an elevated office look. Or for date night, step out in your favorite little black dress or jumpsuit, accessorized with a brocade headband or a pair of heels.
Designer Labels
Everyday Labels
Be Brocade, Be Very Brocade A-Line Dress
Jeffrey Campbell Brocade Slingback Kitten Heels
Jeffrey Campbell Brocade Slingback Kitten Heels
The jewel tones
‘Tis the season for jewel tones. There’s something about winter that brings out an inner desire to wear rich hues like emerald, sapphire, and ruby. In the Bridgerton era, wearing these colors signaled your societal status. In the 21st century, while these shades can (and should) be rocked year-round, it’s just a nice way to add some much-needed depth to the otherwise gray, dreary days of winter.
One of the greatest — and perhaps most convenient — aspects of wearing jewel tones is that they generally work quite well together. (It’s not a coincidence that traditional Christmas colors are green and red.) Still, it’s probably best to avoid mixing too many shades — no one wants to be a walking kaleidoscope. A ruby sweater with dark denim jeans, topped off with a matching red lip, is a relaxed-but-elevated look you can’t go wrong with. Another go-to outfit? An emerald skirt paired with a chic, neutral turtleneck. Going monochrome is a styling trick that favors jewel tones — head-to-toe sapphire is sure to be a showstopper no matter where you’re headed.
And if these colors aren’t your favorite, you can still rock jewel tones by going a little brighter with options like amethyst, citrine, and turquoise.
Designer Labels
Floral-Print Velvet Midi Skirt
Everyday Labels
Satin Pleated Midi Skirt
The pastel hues
Aristocratic fashion isn’t just limited to deep jewel tones. In Regency London, soft pastel hues were also prominent among the high society set. If it’s giving you not-so-subtle Easter vibes, it’s probably something folks back then, especially the girls and women, were likely to wear. Some of the more common pastel shades are blush pink, goldenrod yellow, powder blue, and seafoam green. If you’ve seen it on a cupcake, it can probably be considered pastel.
These colors are often combined in romantic floral patterns, which make them ideal for more traditionally feminine attire. But to avoid channeling a little too much Easter bunny energy, balance is essential. A floor-length maxi dress can be toughened up with an edgy leather jacket and hard metal accessories. A playful sweater can be elevated with wide-leg trousers and sky-high stilettos.
Pastels can be used to soften a look, too. If your usual outfit is head-to-toe black, gray, or white, try swapping out those common neutrals for lighter, airier hues. Even something as simple as a pastel-colored scarf or scrunchie (yes, those are back in style!) can add a little visual interest to an otherwise understated ensemble.
Designer Labels
Ruffled Tiered Tie-Dyed Silk-Chiffon Mini Dress
Everyday Labels
The empire waist dresses
If the style of the Regency era had to be boiled down to a single item, it would have to be the empire waist dress, which drapes out just beneath the bustline instead of at the natural waistline. This silhouette was quite literally everywhere at the time, in part because of its perceived ability to lengthen the wearer’s frame, making it leaner and more elongated.
While the empire waist dress was arguably in its peak during the 19th century, its popularity has remained constant ever since. In the 1960s, the item saw a resurgence, although at that point in time, the hemlines were much shorter than they had been 150 years prior. Fast forward to the present day: You can walk into just about any major retailer and pick out at least a handful of empire waist dresses in varying lengths and styles.
Just like many of these other sartorial themes, an empire waist denotes romance, femininity, and ease. To modernize it, choose unexpected pairings, like a floor-length gown and a fitted blazer. For a more relaxed look, opt for a mini dress with white sneakers and a cropped hoodie.
Designer Labels
Cold-Shoulder Floral Printed Chiffon Gown
The sweeping skirts
You can’t have an entire period romance set in 19th century England without some serious drama. And we’re not just talking about love triangles and torrid affairs. On the costuming front, that’s going to look like a lot of ultra-dramatic, floor-length silhouettes. Because there’s nothing quite like making an entrance with a giant train of fabric literally following you in your footsteps.
That still holds true in the modern-day, even though opportunities to get that dressed up are now mostly limited to weddings and galas. Still, you can find ways to incorporate those head-turning looks into your everyday wardrobe. Maxi skirts are an obvious go-to, perfect for when you really need to take an outfit to the next level. They pair seamlessly with classic staples, like button-up blouses and fitted crewnecks.
On the accessories front, given the grandiose nature of these designs, less is definitely more. Opt for minimalist pieces like a single statement ring, simple chain necklaces and bracelets, or no jewelry at all. For footwear, ballet flats are an elegant — and comfortable — choice, unless the occasion calls for a dressier option. In that case, closed-toe heels are probably going to be your best bet, though some open-toe styles could work as well.
Designer Labels
Valentino Pleated High-Rise Maxi Skirt
Everyday Labels
Anthropologie Textured Maxi Skirt
Floral-Print Woven Maxi Skirt
Mekita Rivas is a contributing writer at Refinery29. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Architectural Digest, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Glamour, Brides, Self, and others. She currently lives in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter.
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