Period Piece Fashion

The release of period pieces, like Bridgerton, has sparked a trend of period fashion with a modern twist

Beatrice Kinskey, a junior at Paly, is a super- featured in the show are especially feminine fan of Bridgerton. She binged the show in 48 with lace, frills and pastel colors. hours, and is an expert on all things period “I loved the fashion, I think it was super infashion. Kinskey has watched many period pieces teresting to see that much color,” Kinskey said. in the past, and particularly loves the Regency Era As period pieces rise in popularity, style trends when Bridgerton is set. in everyday life mirror the After watching the show, she immediately convert- “After I saw styles exhibited in these shows. Tate Hardy, a fashion ed her style to mimic its elegant fashion, through Bridgerton, I was enthusiast and freshman at Paly, knows all too well how beautifully detailed corsets and extravagant puffy like, ‘oh, I want to be teens constantly search for new styles and follow popuskirts. Kinskey is not the only one inspired by the a princess so bad.’” lar trends. “Most of what people period fashion featured in wear is really impacted by Bridgerton; period fash- Beatrice Kinskey, junior the shows that come out, ion is a surging trend fol- movies and how other people lowing the release of period TV shows and movies. are dressing,” Hardy said. Bridgerton focuses on a Following the release of Bridgerton, clothing young woman growing items that resemble the Regency Era, like corsets and up during the Regency bustier tops, immediately trended on social media Era, in the year 1813. apps like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest. Viewers A significant element of of the show craved to be a part of the royal glamour the show is the fashion; showcased in Bridgerton, and echoing the style is the the Regency Era is known easiest way to do so. for its stunning royal style, “After I saw [Bridgerton], I was like, ‘oh, I want complete with ballgowns to be a princess so bad,’” Kinskey said. “My first imand corsets. The costumes pulse was to make myself a princess, so of course I bought corsets and a big puffy skirt.” Kinskey wasn’t the only one that splurged on new items for her closet just Lace up corsets after her Bridgerton binge. “I had a few reached peak corsets before, but I ordered another one after I watched [Bridgerton] that was more popularity in the Mid19th Century

Hoop skirts were invented in 1846 and unlike previous shaping undergarments, were worn by all social classes

old timey with lace, like the ones that they had in the show,” Hardy said. “I really liked the elegant, frilly style they had and I really want to get back into that, like the big poofy ballgowns.”

Every show has some sort of influence on its viewers, but what is unique about period pieces is that the viewers did not live through that time and those fashion trends, so they tend to resurface in a new generation. Junior Elizabeth Wong is another fan of period pieces, some of her favorites being classic Jane Austen adaptations like Pride and Prejudice.

“Period shows are so cool because I get to watch them as a form of escapism,” Wong said. “It’s kind of like escaping to another realm when I watch shows that are dated back.”

A key difference in the revival of these old fashion trends is the reasoning behind the style. The storyline of Bridgerton follows a young debutante as she tries to find a husband in an upper class society, which involves dressing in lavish attire and attending balls. However, the meaning behind wearing corsets and other attire like that has changed now. “I feel like now when women wear corsets, it’s [more] for themselves and for their own image of themselves, rather than for what [others] want,” Hardy said.

Like all trends, this return of period fashion will likely die down. However, upcoming fashion will most likely continue this elegant, royal style and adapt as it becomes more popular.

“These shows are going to influence fashion trends, not just for me, but for our entire generation,” Wong said. “Even over the past year, I’ve seen a lot of people try to bring back vintage trends, which I think is super cool. So I hope that these shows stimulate that more, and influence vintage clothing to be brought back to our generation.”

“These shows are going to influence fashion trends, not just for me, but for our entire generation.”