“Bridgeton”
The empire dresses come with pep
Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) wants to marry her sister Edwina.
© 2022 Netflix, Inc.
Romance, glamor and a hint of the exotic are the pillars on which the second season of “Bridgerton” is based. Fashionistas, look here!
Fans have been eagerly awaiting the second season of the historical series “Bridgerton”. New love affairs à la Jane Austen (1775-1817) turn the characters Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley, 26), Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran, 25) and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey, 33) heads. But not only the interpersonal feelings make this series. The elegant fashion and sophisticated costumes also make fashionistas gasp. In the sequel, Empire dresses from the Regency era (roughly 1811 to 1820) are given a new and exotic twist.
Empire dresses with sari moments
The new episodes focus on the eldest son of the Bridgerton family, Lord Anthony. The viscount wants to find the right woman for the new ball season and ends up in a tricky love triangle with sisters Kate and Edwina Sharma. Both characters have Indian roots, which the costume designers literally woven into their clothes. Although her empire dresses are still defined by an underbust cut, they are less reminiscent of Greek antiquity, like the models that Phoebe Dynevor (26) wears as Daphne Bridgerton.
The series’ costume designer, Ellen Mirojnick, took great liberties with the designs. If you stick strictly to the original look, Daphne, Kate and Edwina would come in chaste hoods. Even the day dresses would be a lot more demure than we get to see in the second season of the Netflix hit. In fact, the Sharma sisters’ styles are inspired by saris – traditional wrap skirts with a one-shoulder throw.
The perfect occasion for an empire dress
With the elaborate patterns and embroidery, Ellen Mirojnick has given the empire dresses an exciting and unusual touch that seems to go down well with the viewers: An investigation by Stylight has revealed that 24 hours after the series’ release, the demand for purple evening dresses, which Kate Sharma wears regularly, has risen by 34 percent.
Of course, the South Asian-inspired dresses are not intended for everyday use. For a festive occasion such as a wedding, they are just right. Admittedly – it doesn’t have to be an opulent headdress made of feathers like the daughters of high society present at the beginning of the second season. But a statement necklace, choker or XXL earrings à la Lady Danbury are just the thing to celebrate aesthetically and chicly.