Visions of ‘Bridgerton’
Colonial Willamsburg puts together a suggested itinerary for fans of the show
WILLIAMSBURG — Dearest readers,
As the ton is aflutter with the newest iteration of Bridgerton, many remain unawares of what exists here in our own backyard. For fans of the Netflix hit, the second season of which debuted last month, there’s plenty to admire about the lifestyle of the families living in a fictional version of 19th-century London. From the sumptuous scenery to the enviable wardrobes, the Bridgerton aesthetic is one that many aspire to — and it may be closer than you think.
Colonial Williamsburg recently put together a suggested itinerary for fans of the show, describing how to “live out your Bridgerton daydreams.” In the Bridgertons’ world, “the ton” refers to upper-crust society.
Though there are plenty of differences between 18th-century Virginia and 19th-century London, Colonial Williamsburg would seem a familiar backdrop to the Bridgertons and their neighbors in many ways.
On a warm springtime day, take a promenade around the Palace Green, ensuring to stop periodically to admire the view of the Governor’s Palace in the distance.
One may continue one’s stroll down bustling Duke of Gloucester Street, stopping at the printing office, where pamphlets like Lady Whistledown’s own would have been produced for faithful readers like yourselves. Then, one may make one’s way down to the Capitol Building, admiring the historic homes along the way.
Just a stone’s throw away is the musket range, to prepare for any upcoming duels, and the most committed among us might stay a night in one of Colonial Williamsburg’s authentic colonial houses to feel just like Kate Sharma for the evening. If it’s music and dancing you like, look no further than an evening at the Palace for a concert of 17th- and 18th-century chamber music.
As many might agree, the most essential part of the show’s enviable glitz and glamor is its eye-popping costumes.
In a 2020 interview with Vogue Magazine, Bridgerton costume designer Ellen Mirojnick explained how she put together the massive wardrobe for the show using influences from period-accurate clothing while still maintaining the more modern feel.
“I looked at the Regency period in London through drawings
and paintings,” she said. “We got a flavor of it, and then it was about looking at the different silhouettes and shapes while knowing that this had to be aspirational, as opposed to historically accurate.”
Here in Williamsburg, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s collection of historical costumes and textiles contains about 15,000 items — a closet to rival even the size of Queen Charlotte’s own.
Some of the collection is on display at The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum in “The Textile Arts of Britain” exhibition. The exhibition tells “the story of the most important industry in 18th century Great Britain,” as described on the Colonial Williamsburg website.
It’s “hard to say” how authentic
Bridgerton’s costuming is, said Neal Hurst, who serves as the associate curator of costumes and textiles for Colonial Williamsburg’s Department of Collections.
Unlike the clothing in the real regency era, which largely was inspired by neoclassical influences and included plenty of white garments as well as a draping effect to mimic something like a toga, Bridgerton utilizes a very modern color palette — especially with characters like the Featheringtons, who favor bright colors and bold patterns.
Some of the best looks in the show, at least from an authenticity standpoint, were worn by Daphne Bridgerton, Hurst said. Still, the majority of costuming for period dramas has to be taken with a grain of salt, as costume
designers modernize looks for their 21st century audience.
For an expert like Hurst, “fit always stands out.”
During the regency era, when Bridgerton is set, clothing was largely custom-made for each wearer. If, say, Daphne needed a new gown for an upcoming ball, she would go to the store, pick out one of the many fabrics available and then take her fabric to a mantua maker, or dressmaker, who would design and put together the clothing based on the customer’s desires.
Because textiles were so expensive and viewed as an investment, most families would reuse fabric several times over to make new items over the course of many years, meaning that the younger Bridgertons would have worn plenty of hand-me-downs.
At the Tarpley, Thompson & Company store on Duke of Gloucester Street, another suggested destination in the Bridgerton itinerary, one can purchase ready-made short gowns, coats, petticoats and more attire to capture some of the on-screen style magic for oneself.
No matter what, dear readers, when it comes to feeling like a diamond, Colonial Williamsburg has you covered. Until next time!
Tickets are available on Colonial Williamsburg’s website. Check out the itinerary at www. colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/ trip-planning/ bridger ton-itinerary.