Take starring role in ‘Bridgerton’-inspired spring gala dresses
As spring ushers in the first wave of in-person black-tie events since March 2020, a new era of celebrations and gatherings of every kind is in bloom. And that means getting dressed to shine has never been more exciting.
One of my favorite additions has been the extravagant and flawless dressing that’s been inspired by the second season of “Bridgerton.”
It started with this year’s Met Gala, with fashion moments like Billie Eilish’s red carpet look: a Gucci highcorset green and gold dress, that nodded to Georgian-era sophistication with a modern twist.
In a life-imitates-art moment, this year “Bridgerton” stars Simone Ashley, Nicola Coughlan and Phoebe Dynevor took the event’s “Gilded Glamour and White Tie” dress code and ran with it: Ashley (who plays Kate Sharma) showed up in a midriffbaring gold top and floorlength black skirt. Coughlan (who plays Penelope Featherington) killed in a pink-and-black frock festooned with feathers and a long train. And Dynevor (Daphne Bridgerton) riffed on the show’s aesthetic by giving it a black, semisheer makeover.
Here, Boston is welcoming the return of stunning spring events, and a similar celebratory dress code. April’s Boston Ballet Ball in at Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport was a harbinger of great sartorial things to come.
Last week saw the fabulous Horizons for Homeless Children Gala and the ICA Gala.
And this week ushered in the return of Party in the Park to benefit The Emerald Necklace Conservancy.
Boston’s big events of this season range from black-tie evening galas to afternoon luncheons — but all of them can take some inspiration from “Bridgerton’s” Georgian lines, colors and silhouettes. Here are a few ideas:
For upcoming Boston galas: There are few choices better than Sachin & Babi’s Simone Metallic Gown ($795 on saksfifthavenue. com) in peony metallic, with a waist buckle belt, a low-V neck and lots of sparkle.
For galas that don’t require actual gowns, find a perfect landing in Marchesa Notte’s Tiered Chiffon Gown with a 3D floral corsage ($716 on neimanmarcus.com). The floor-length, gorgeously tiered number evokes both the sea and florals in its hypnotizing pattern.
And for casual-pretty dinner parties, empirewaisted designs like the Gilvery Floral Maxi Dress by Loveshackfancy ($595 on bergdorfgoodman.com) are easy to wear and flattering. Its A-line silhouette and floral pattern are the just the thing to make a lady feel pretty.
Even better, you can look dreamy and ladylike at the family reunion’s fancypants picnic this year in Alice and Olivia’s Mckenna Empire Waist Gown ($1,077 on bloomingdales. com). With its dreamy, allover embroidery and gathered bust, Empire waist and laced hem, it seems like something from another era.
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