This is the most common sense and level-headed analysis of Penelope's costumes that I've seen! I was so frustrated with people claiming that the creators of Bridgerton hate fat people, or acting like they just don't understand different body sizes, when it was obviously a choice for her character! I also LOVED the Featheringtons' costumes the best--they were so creative and outrageous and hilarious!
I guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account..? I somehow forgot the login password. I love any assistance you can offer me!
@Aarav Clark i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
The other things I noticed about Pen being drawn to pink dresses is that Marina often wore light pink dresses which perhaps made Pen want to wear similar colours in hopes that Colin would notice her. Great video btw! I love the costumes but hate the lack of undergarments 😂
Even thought I have not read the books, I got a strong sense about Penelope’s wardrobe that it was made to serve as a metaphor for how her mother was trying to control and force Penelope into a certain mold. I’m excited to see where her character goes next season!
Her story is actually my favorite. I can relate to her so much. I was an ugly duckling as well, especially compared to very petty cousins. Some girls just take a little longer to settle into themselves. I also had a mother who tried to dress me in a certain way, like a sufer girl, to help me fit in more... again, especially with my model cousins. She did this out of love and because that's how she dressed. That's what she knew, but her style did not work on me. Eventually we figured it out. Turns out my style is much more eclectic and vintage inspired than my mom's. Once I figured out what worked for me, I felt better about myself and blossomed. I feel like a lot of people can relate to this kind of thing, which makes her so darn relatable. Can't wait for Penelope to break out. You just know it's in her. A timid girl doesn't become Mrs. Whistledown.
In the books penelope is dressed in ill fitting and unflattering colors. So I am hoping that the costumes are going to reflect this very important part of the plot.
They are definitely part of the plot. Reading the books helps to understand this. I actually think they could have made her look worse at certain moments.
I'm actually hoping we get the scene at Penelope's house, with her family, and Colin finally realizing how little they value her, and how they don't even think of the possibility of some man actually wanting HER, for any reason, whatsoever, including if she suddenly came into a personal fortune. Her mother INSISTS on her dressing so badly, then chides her for doing poorly, socially, when everyone teases her about her appearance. She's the scapegoat of the family, and her family literally sets her up for failure, just to ensure that they can bully her about her failure. And yet, she works so hard to support them and love them, and I LOVE PENELOPE SO MUUUUUCH! And they avoid the "I'm not like other girls" trope. She's obviously NOT like the other women of her social circle, but she doesn't dwell on it, or point it out, or anything. She just IS. She simply exists, as her glorious self, and that's all. In fact, she wishes she COULD be more like the other girls, at least in her appearance.
I agree with your analysis of Penelope's costumes. She knows she looks terrible and that the colors and fit aren't for her. And this is how she's portrayed in several of the books. She's often overlooked and ignored. What better way to gather information.
100% agree. Nobody takes her really seriously even though she is very intelligent (and she is naturally a smiley person)... so she is the perfect candidate to gather the intel!
Potential spoilers below, but here’s another thought on the color... I know nothing about how fabric was dyed, but I noticed that the Featheringtons colors (yellow, orange, green, pink) were very floral or plant based, and might have been less expensive compared to blue, purple, or bright white. This, along with the textured fabric may have been a more financial decision as opposed to being “family colors”. With what we learn about Lord Featherington, it would make sense for them to have more affordable fabrics.
It's a good thought, but I don't think so. The actual shade they use is pretty unnatural and would take a lot of dye to produce. Also, the featheringtons have new money. Something they want to show off. They might not have a title like duke, but they have money. In a society that valued such things immensely, that was big. A big part of that fortune is spent on wardrobe. Think of a Victorian house with all the woodwork, colors, wallpapers, etc.. all those extras cost money, which everyone knows, so they are used as status symbols. Look at how many expensive colors my house has!! I must be rich!! Accept me in society!!! All the extras that she puts on everything would actually make it cost more than something more simple and plain. I think their wardrobe is actually one of the reasons they have financial issues, in addition to other things.
Love your theory! I totally thought Pens clothes were made to look her look younger with a smaller bust but does make sense that the dresses were not made for her
Thanks so much for the new perspective, it makes total sense that 17yo Pen has no power yet in her wardrobe. But things will change for her as time goes on! I hope Netflix will be able to film her & Eloise's stories !!!
Pens' dresses are ill fitting and bright colors are bad, and in the book she knows it and suffers the embarrassment of it. hence why lady whistledown so critical of her family. hopefully to get the mother to think again about color. and Pen isn't big in the books. pen looked stunning when presented to the queen the dress and color fit her well. next season i bet her dresses will fit her better making her looks smaller. I am going on the book. I had the whole series but since i have so many books i sadly purged years ago.
I don't know how much i will say that Penelope is absolutely one of the gorgeouest woman in this drama. Her beautiful face and sweet nature is everything
I had thought Pen's costumes had been designed to make her appear younger and less well endowed (allowing a chance for the character to um... ..."blossom" in later stories), but the fact that she does appear in two outfits that actually fit her and make her look more mature/curvy, lends weight to maternal sabotage. But combine these ideas and it could be that Lady Featherington might not be solely fat shaming her daughter, but infantilizing her, not willing to admit that her youngest child is old enough to have curves and forcing her into a straight up and down silhouette.
...That explains so much. The wrong cut of the bodice irked me so much but now it makes perfect sense. Very helpful for the journey of working through my own love/hate relationship with the series XD
Nail on the head. It's surprising how many critics have not picked up on the fact that the choices for Penelope were part of the narrative, especially as there are enough verbal references to it in the dialogue. I haven't even read the books (yet) but it's pretty obvious. TFS:)
Historical accuracy especially at the start was...lacking but the costumes are beautiful. Its more of a mix of fantasy and regency. Pen's costumes are adorable and I am a sucker for florals/embroidery. BTW you look amazing!!! The curls and tiara with those gloves and that thrifted/transformed gown. Stunning!!
I appreciate your view, it is refreshing amongst the extreme love hate relationship analysis of the series. And i appreciate even more the detail view explanation behind the costume designs. Because sometimes we get lost in historical accuracy that we forget the importance of design narrative visuals.
I really think this a very clever way of putting it. I hadn't thought of the aspect of the dresses not being made for her, but of course that makes perfect sense.
Her costumes had me baffled the most while watching the show. the mid bust gowns were so in your face! i thought multiple times "how could the designers and dress makers NOT have noticed this and yet still put the dress on her?" now I see why. you have made a very compelling argument and I whole heartedly agree with you.
I love Bridgerton a lot (I binge watched the whole series in one day so Im definitely committed to it) and I definitely have quite a love hate moment with some of the looks, makeup and hair, and the undergarments in this show. Since this is Regency, I always ask why are they lacing the girls in 1830s-ish corsets when the waist is hidden because its and empire waistline and the stays worn back then would have been the same length as the bodice. I do intend on becoming Eloise or Daphne despite being a plus size person but I personally find Regency dresses to really flatter me in the sense it makes me appear taller despite being 5’11 already, slimmer because it hides my tummy, and way more comfortable than all my historical costumes since I only have to wear one layer of petticoat and my maternity binder at my chest to prevent me from becoming perky (for lack of a better word) in undesirable places since my Regency dresses are made of spandex. I do agree that Pen’s dresses are really unflattering and Yellow isnt really her color....at all since the shade doesnt suit red heads. Some yellows may work for red heads but not a mustardy yellow with a brown undertone. She would probably suit a more pink palette with more corals and baby pinks and powdery dusty pinks as opposed to a fuchsia or hot pink as she is seen wearing.
I haven’t watched Bridgerton yet because of the extremely mixed reviews but the way you describe the costuming is just mesmerizing 🤩 And you look so beautiful!
My thought is that Pen's clothes fit her so poorly so she can have a glow up moment in the future. She will have a weight loss, better fitting clothes, and suddenly be desirable.
Finally, someone who recognizes that the costuming is addressing storytelling elements. I've had very unpleasant things to say to some of the whiners on other channels. Kudos to you for recognizing that.
Though I can also understand their frustrations in regards to not seeing other plus size characters and their clothing fitting correctly- it would have been good to see more variety of body types - even in the background at the very least - so it wasn’t a token plus size character AND part of their character (setting up for further character development) was Ill fitting costumes.
@Charisma Girl Sorry, I'm uncertain which "they have to exist" you are referring to. I think you might mean storytelling elements, but that didn't quite make sense as you then follow up saying they had to make sense in reality and here, as if those are different places, and ignoring all together that the topic is a historical fantasy. I'm also sorry that you feel the need to project your insecurities on to the show runners. I wish you felt better about both yourself and Penn. Personally, I thought Penn was one of the most interesting characters in the show with some of the strongest character development, and that was well before they suggested her as Lady W. But, I'm sure you are right the show runners must hate that character and therefore gave her strong motivations and morals, their disgust is flamboyant in how they gave her dimension through her concern for others, where her counter point ---Eloise--- is horrifically one dimensional in her selfish and dogmatic, token feminism; or how they demonstrated her quick and snarky mind on several occasions. I'm sure you are right, they must have hated that character, because Julia Quinn specified in the source material that Penn's clothes were ill-fitting. (All snark kept to an absolute minimum in order to stave off your "terrror".)
Hi Kindredecho - I'm sorry you had to deal with that level of unkindness. I believe in open and respectful debate in this space and as such, the comment and user has been removed.
@@KirileeCosplay First thank you for monitoring your feed, many don't. I recognize that you absolutely have the right, and I would dare say consider it your duty, to protect the tone you wish this channel to maintain. That said, and to misquote Prince Friederich, I'm made of sterner stuff than that. Please, don't feel you need to expurgate anyone on my account. I'm old school and if I can't hold my own in the sandbox I should go play on the swings. :D
I think that Penelope's dresses are intent to make her look biger than she is. She goes through an ugly duckling transformation in third book. She gets a bit slimmer though she stays full figured and curvy. Nicola Coughlan is chubby but in those gowns she looks 20 pounds hevier than she actually is. The costumes will save her from going throug any crazy body transformation to look the part later on.
I couldn’t agree more ^_^ I’ve not read the books but my friend and I have had long discussions about it and she told me that too since she has read them
HAHA I am currently rewatching it and am noticing the same thing!! However, I do want to note, that later in the books she loses weight, I do feel like they are doing her wrong in her dresses to also show that big sudden change in the future seasons. Her dresses look the way they do to dramatize that. Just a thought?
I think that would also be played into the design choice as well :) My friend and I had this discussion as she has read all of the books - it makes sense.
I had not heard of this series until I saw you start posting about it. I don't think it is one that would normally draw my interest, but after watching this video, I really kind of curious about it. I'm going to have to give it a watch.
Oh I love this video! I completely agree, I loved the show, and the costume were frivolous and fun, I feel the point wasn't to be historically accurate. Thank you for another fabulous video! 💖💖💖
One of the few times that I would think about getting Netflix. Not quite, but close. It's so interesting when costumes become a character of their own. Thanks for the comments, it was very interesting. Take care.
They were not trying to be absolutely accurate and the costumers knew it. The costumes were used as part of the storytelling, to tell us something about the characters and the society. They created a visual feast!
Let’s be real, shall we? Nothing about Bridgerton is historically accurate. I have nothing against the production choices. I love all of Julia Quinn’s romance books and Netflix is doing a great job. However being historically accurate would mean an entire white cast, no modern music hidden in classical orchestration, costumes made of era correct fabric, and jewelry actually from that time. This is a fantasy meant to inspire putting the modern person into the romance. It works. As for Penelope, in the books she says her mother likes to dress her up like a pumpkin. It does get better.
FINALLY!!! Someone who got it right about why the costume was that way. Its all about the mothers choices. Its a running gag in the books about how bad the dresses are and poor pen who gets the worst of it. Its not the costumers. Its the writing of the author who the script and costumers are staying true to her idea and words. Ive been so frustrated watching the reviews because they don't get that it is on purpose. Her mother is written exactly like a evil stepmother and the evil sisters with her meaness and horrible dress choices. Thank you for getting it. She is one of my favorite characters of the whole series because shes the underdog. Along with lady Danbury who is a feisty lady she ends up being such a good character too.
I also think it gives opportunity for Penelope to grow as a character.. if you read the book about her and Colin further along in the series.. It indicates that her mother gives up on her marrying and because she's an old maid she can wear what she likes... Along with the fact that she looses 2 Stone along the way
Gonna be honest, the only reason I watched Bridgerton was because I found out Clare from Derry Girls was in it. And speaking of which, if any of y'all are interested in another period piece that has Nicola Coughlan as one of the leads, watch Derry Girls.
Agree with the grown up costumes for her love story with Colin! I hope they put her in alot of blues to match Colin. Bright Blues! Do you think they will put her in Blues or another color like Green for Season 4?
@@KirileeCosplay while she may have worn the modern style in private and in her portraits, the protocol for public appearances demanded the older style. It's no different than today where the protocols for modern royals are decades behind current fashion and the press goes ape shit when one of the women (almost always more harshly judged) violates that.
I'm completely with you... haha. I loved the show and it made me just dive into another "quick" project, which in the end will probably be more elaborate than originally thought. Not that I still have two other cosplay projects unfinished... *cough*
Hahaha I feel this in my soul. So far I've dedicated 4 days to a "quick" Penelope Featherington inspired cosplay... I should be able to wrap it up tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
@@KirileeCosplay oh can’t wait to see it. I saw a glimpse on Instagram. Mine will not be a screen seen, just something I’m whipping up myself. 🤞 So far the stays are done.
Watch my video I released after this one where I made one ;) Honestly, have a massive amount of fun with it. If you need a decent and easy pattern the simplicity pattern I used was good- just extend the front shoulder panel by about 2ish inches I found- just do a quick mock up :)
I am reading one of the sequel books, and I agree that the colors, and a bit of the styling are on point with how the characters are written. I however think there are a number of areas where the costumes cross the line an jar us out of the world, and are lazy choices on the part of the costuming/design team. We can always demand better when it can be done.
I must have terrible taste because I loved all her dresses, especially the yellow ones. Thank you for the a perspective, because I think the costume choices were purposeful. Maybe if we see more of the series, we'll see Pen getting her own clothes as she becomes her own woman
Its really obvious that you shouldn't take Bridgerton as a realistic period drama. The dialogue, the incredible score, and the use of colour is all there to highlight that this is our world in their time. It reminds me of the anachronisms in Sex Education.
Comes to what I experienced. Hand me downs never fit me right. I just thought the mother was awful to her because she’s prettier than the older two and she doesn’t want the youngest to marry first.
perhaps I am the only one but I love the yellow butterfly dress she has in th very first episode. perhaps because I like butterflies.... or perhaps because it feels totally from another world xD
Oh thanks you darling for this vidéo! I am in thé processe of filming and sewing (one i recievd thé pattern) a dress giving an omage to Penelope, and this vidéo helps me so mutch ♥️ !
I believe that one of the reasons Penelope's dresses are so flat on her it's kind of to make her more childlike in a way, because if think about it, she wears what her mother wants, and her mother doesn't really believe she's marryable enough, because in her eyes she's not really a full woman, not a little girl but not really a woman (like Britney's song), and that's kinda her plot with the Bridgeton's younger brother Collin she's wants to be seen by him less as a little sister to him but more as a young woman that she is, when she dresses something that fit her body properly (that is growing is maturing), is actually she's trying to mature herself and be the young woman that she is, and also pink have this meaning of youthful love, femininity and flirtiness really a color that represents her state of mind deeper and brighter the pink, deeper her wanting to be loved and desired.
The Modiest in the second season says the last thing a lady would do is wear something that makes her look bad. That's why no one suspects Penn as Lady Whissledown.
I'm no costumer or expert, but I am a Regency afficionado. The first time I watched Bridgerton, I kept annoying everyone in the household, with my yells of "WRONG! They got it SO WRONG! That would NEVER happen in that culture. WRONG!" Then, I realized something amazing. Bridgerton is set in AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. This is, of course, absolutely VITAL to the Queen Charlotte spin-off, and I am THRILLED that they actually say so, right up front, at the beginning of the first episode. I WISH they had done the same for the series, at large. Anyway, once I stopped looking at Bridgerton as "a Regency romance," and just saw it as a romance, set in an alternate universe, where a certain land mass was called, "England," and the current king was mad, and his son was regent, well, I was able to lap up the show with relish. As for the costumes, I know they are WRONG! Oh, so very WRONG! However, they are also GORGEOUS. So, my head-canon is that they are spot-on correct for that alternate universe, and they are GORGEOUS. Except for poor Penelope's dresses, of course. But then again, that's actually important to the plot of the series. The books (yeah, I had to read them after watching the first season, and falling in love (platonically!) with Eloise and Penelope. I adored them both. The big reveal at the end of Season 1 didn't surprise me on bit, because it just MADE SENSE for her, so much. I will avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say that, in the books and in the show, Lady Featherington insisted on dressing all of her daughters in citrus colors, and always chose lemon or tangerine for Penelope, despite her complexion, and it looked hideous on her, and Penelope knew it, and bemoaned it very much. And many people teased her for it. So, yeah. Her dresses are not gorgeous. Well, not on her. I think that if those same dresses were worn by someone with the complexion to wear those colors, they'd be gorgeous, too.
I'm normally a stickler for perfectly HA film costuming, but...that wouldn't have suited this show one bit, and (with the exception of the dumb tightlacing scene, which isn't inherently the clothes' fault) I LOVED the costume design and the show as a whole.
No... She had the best costumes. I love how you brought out the visual stories. Ive watched the new Marry Poppins Movie a few times.. I love looking at the costumes.. I had never noticed (other movies) some of the costumes look painted.. Thanks for posting.
This is the first review of this that has made me even remotely want to watch it because you came at this from such a different angle seeing the fabric and costume design and story driving not atrocious inaccurate costumes. 🙏
I don't want to alarm you but your background in am dram is showing! 😨....good analysis though. There is no mistake in how the costumes are selected / created.
Okay hear me out I think they look terrible on her everybody can agree on that but I think it's more of a trying to convince the audience that she's younger than what she is isnt she supposed to be 13 years old. They make her outfits more bust appropriate when she is going places with out her mom at least what i thought
@Charisma Girl ok 🤷♀️it was just a guess no need to be pushy with your explaining someone already told me in the above comment she is 17 in the story being told. Have a great rest of your day.
This is the most common sense and level-headed analysis of Penelope's costumes that I've seen! I was so frustrated with people claiming that the creators of Bridgerton hate fat people, or acting like they just don't understand different body sizes, when it was obviously a choice for her character! I also LOVED the Featheringtons' costumes the best--they were so creative and outrageous and hilarious!
I’m glad that you enjoyed the video. I look forward to when Penelope has her own money and makes her own dresses
I hate people making shotgun assumptions like that. All of the featheringtons look terrible lol, clearly there is a reason for that.
I guess Im asking randomly but does any of you know a trick to get back into an Instagram account..?
I somehow forgot the login password. I love any assistance you can offer me!
@Tate Martin Instablaster =)
@Aarav Clark i really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
The other things I noticed about Pen being drawn to pink dresses is that Marina often wore light pink dresses which perhaps made Pen want to wear similar colours in hopes that Colin would notice her. Great video btw! I love the costumes but hate the lack of undergarments 😂
Hahaha I certainly feel ALL of your comment. I do like that idea that she was trying to wear more flattering colours to attract colin
Even thought I have not read the books, I got a strong sense about Penelope’s wardrobe that it was made to serve as a metaphor for how her mother was trying to control and force Penelope into a certain mold. I’m excited to see where her character goes next season!
You and me both!
Her story is actually my favorite. I can relate to her so much. I was an ugly duckling as well, especially compared to very petty cousins. Some girls just take a little longer to settle into themselves. I also had a mother who tried to dress me in a certain way, like a sufer girl, to help me fit in more... again, especially with my model cousins. She did this out of love and because that's how she dressed. That's what she knew, but her style did not work on me. Eventually we figured it out. Turns out my style is much more eclectic and vintage inspired than my mom's. Once I figured out what worked for me, I felt better about myself and blossomed. I feel like a lot of people can relate to this kind of thing, which makes her so darn relatable. Can't wait for Penelope to break out. You just know it's in her. A timid girl doesn't become Mrs. Whistledown.
In the books penelope is dressed in ill fitting and unflattering colors. So I am hoping that the costumes are going to reflect this very important part of the plot.
I think they do so brilliantly
They are definitely part of the plot. Reading the books helps to understand this. I actually think they could have made her look worse at certain moments.
I'm actually hoping we get the scene at Penelope's house, with her family, and Colin finally realizing how little they value her, and how they don't even think of the possibility of some man actually wanting HER, for any reason, whatsoever, including if she suddenly came into a personal fortune.
Her mother INSISTS on her dressing so badly, then chides her for doing poorly, socially, when everyone teases her about her appearance. She's the scapegoat of the family, and her family literally sets her up for failure, just to ensure that they can bully her about her failure.
And yet, she works so hard to support them and love them, and I LOVE PENELOPE SO MUUUUUCH!
And they avoid the "I'm not like other girls" trope. She's obviously NOT like the other women of her social circle, but she doesn't dwell on it, or point it out, or anything. She just IS. She simply exists, as her glorious self, and that's all. In fact, she wishes she COULD be more like the other girls, at least in her appearance.
I agree with your analysis of Penelope's costumes. She knows she looks terrible and that the colors and fit aren't for her. And this is how she's portrayed in several of the books. She's often overlooked and ignored. What better way to gather information.
100% agree. Nobody takes her really seriously even though she is very intelligent (and she is naturally a smiley person)... so she is the perfect candidate to gather the intel!
Potential spoilers below, but here’s another thought on the color...
I know nothing about how fabric was dyed, but I noticed that the Featheringtons colors (yellow, orange, green, pink) were very floral or plant based, and might have been less expensive compared to blue, purple, or bright white. This, along with the textured fabric may have been a more financial decision as opposed to being “family colors”. With what we learn about Lord Featherington, it would make sense for them to have more affordable fabrics.
Hmmm true!
It's a good thought, but I don't think so. The actual shade they use is pretty unnatural and would take a lot of dye to produce. Also, the featheringtons have new money. Something they want to show off. They might not have a title like duke, but they have money. In a society that valued such things immensely, that was big. A big part of that fortune is spent on wardrobe. Think of a Victorian house with all the woodwork, colors, wallpapers, etc.. all those extras cost money, which everyone knows, so they are used as status symbols. Look at how many expensive colors my house has!! I must be rich!! Accept me in society!!! All the extras that she puts on everything would actually make it cost more than something more simple and plain. I think their wardrobe is actually one of the reasons they have financial issues, in addition to other things.
Yellow gowns are beautiful on redheads though? It's one of my favourite colour pairings
I agree! I think if you have the confidence, it is a great pairing.
Mustard yellow especially looks good
I’m glad that you liked it :)
It depends on the skin tone.
Love your theory! I totally thought Pens clothes were made to look her look younger with a smaller bust but does make sense that the dresses were not made for her
I wouldn’t be surprised if that was also taken into consideration
Thanks so much for the new perspective, it makes total sense that 17yo Pen has no power yet in her wardrobe. But things will change for her as time goes on! I hope Netflix will be able to film her & Eloise's stories !!!
They should do! I think we will be more of Pen and her development over the next two-three seasons for sure- and Eloise’s story will be soon after
I love the Featherington costumes. They say sooooo much about the characters without a single word of dialog.
I couldn’t agree more
@@KirileeCosplay I want to make a lady featherington cosplay. Put it on my list of things to make someday. 😄
Indeed!
Pens' dresses are ill fitting and bright colors are bad, and in the book she knows it and suffers the embarrassment of it. hence why lady whistledown so critical of her family. hopefully to get the mother to think again about color. and Pen isn't big in the books. pen looked stunning when presented to the queen the dress and color fit her well. next season i bet her dresses will fit her better making her looks smaller. I am going on the book. I had the whole series but since i have so many books i sadly purged years ago.
I am glad they included the featheringtons more than what the books gave. They are great characters.
I don't know how much i will say that Penelope is absolutely one of the gorgeouest woman in this drama. Her beautiful face and sweet nature is everything
She is portrayed beautifully
IRL she is 34!
Indeed
I had thought Pen's costumes had been designed to make her appear younger and less well endowed (allowing a chance for the character to um... ..."blossom" in later stories), but the fact that she does appear in two outfits that actually fit her and make her look more mature/curvy, lends weight to maternal sabotage. But combine these ideas and it could be that Lady Featherington might not be solely fat shaming her daughter, but infantilizing her, not willing to admit that her youngest child is old enough to have curves and forcing her into a straight up and down silhouette.
An interesting notion!
...That explains so much. The wrong cut of the bodice irked me so much but now it makes perfect sense. Very helpful for the journey of working through my own love/hate relationship with the series XD
Hahahaha thank you! And this is supported in the books as well
Nail on the head. It's surprising how many critics have not picked up on the fact that the choices for Penelope were part of the narrative, especially as there are enough verbal references to it in the dialogue. I haven't even read the books (yet) but it's pretty obvious. TFS:)
I’m glad you also found that :)
Historical accuracy especially at the start was...lacking but the costumes are beautiful. Its more of a mix of fantasy and regency. Pen's costumes are adorable and I am a sucker for florals/embroidery.
BTW you look amazing!!! The curls and tiara with those gloves and that thrifted/transformed gown. Stunning!!
Thank you so much! It was a fun excuse to pull it out of my closet :)
I am a sucker for over the top crazy looking costumes.
I appreciate your view, it is refreshing amongst the extreme love hate relationship analysis of the series. And i appreciate even more the detail view explanation behind the costume designs. Because sometimes we get lost in historical accuracy that we forget the importance of design narrative visuals.
Thank you! I’m glad that you enjoyed the notion of costuming as a narrative storytelling device!
I really think this a very clever way of putting it. I hadn't thought of the aspect of the dresses not being made for her, but of course that makes perfect sense.
Thank you. I think it is more of a story telling technique rather than a seamstress’ ability to fit a costume
Spot on! All the other reviews I have watched missed the entire plot of the series.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it
Her costumes had me baffled the most while watching the show. the mid bust gowns were so in your face! i thought multiple times "how could the designers and dress makers NOT have noticed this and yet still put the dress on her?" now I see why. you have made a very compelling argument and I whole heartedly agree with you.
Thank you so much! I look forward what they do with her in the future seasons!
I love Bridgerton a lot (I binge watched the whole series in one day so Im definitely committed to it) and I definitely have quite a love hate moment with some of the looks, makeup and hair, and the undergarments in this show. Since this is Regency, I always ask why are they lacing the girls in 1830s-ish corsets when the waist is hidden because its and empire waistline and the stays worn back then would have been the same length as the bodice. I do intend on becoming Eloise or Daphne despite being a plus size person but I personally find Regency dresses to really flatter me in the sense it makes me appear taller despite being 5’11 already, slimmer because it hides my tummy, and way more comfortable than all my historical costumes since I only have to wear one layer of petticoat and my maternity binder at my chest to prevent me from becoming perky (for lack of a better word) in undesirable places since my Regency dresses are made of spandex. I do agree that Pen’s dresses are really unflattering and Yellow isnt really her color....at all since the shade doesnt suit red heads. Some yellows may work for red heads but not a mustardy yellow with a brown undertone. She would probably suit a more pink palette with more corals and baby pinks and powdery dusty pinks as opposed to a fuchsia or hot pink as she is seen wearing.
Absolutely agree :)
I haven’t watched Bridgerton yet because of the extremely mixed reviews but the way you describe the costuming is just mesmerizing 🤩 And you look so beautiful!
Thank you so much! I always say give it a go. For me it is a guilty pleasure.
My thought is that Pen's clothes fit her so poorly so she can have a glow up moment in the future. She will have a weight loss, better fitting clothes, and suddenly be desirable.
I think that is worked into the storyline a little as a bit of a development
Finally, someone who recognizes that the costuming is addressing storytelling elements. I've had very unpleasant things to say to some of the whiners on other channels. Kudos to you for recognizing that.
Though I can also understand their frustrations in regards to not seeing other plus size characters and their clothing fitting correctly- it would have been good to see more variety of body types - even in the background at the very least - so it wasn’t a token plus size character AND part of their character (setting up for further character development) was Ill fitting costumes.
@Charisma Girl Sorry, I'm uncertain which "they have to exist" you are referring to. I think you might mean storytelling elements, but that didn't quite make sense as you then follow up saying they had to make sense in reality and here, as if those are different places, and ignoring all together that the topic is a historical fantasy. I'm also sorry that you feel the need to project your insecurities on to the show runners. I wish you felt better about both yourself and Penn. Personally, I thought Penn was one of the most interesting characters in the show with some of the strongest character development, and that was well before they suggested her as Lady W. But, I'm sure you are right the show runners must hate that character and therefore gave her strong motivations and morals, their disgust is flamboyant in how they gave her dimension through her concern for others, where her counter point ---Eloise--- is horrifically one dimensional in her selfish and dogmatic, token feminism; or how they demonstrated her quick and snarky mind on several occasions. I'm sure you are right, they must have hated that character, because Julia Quinn specified in the source material that Penn's clothes were ill-fitting. (All snark kept to an absolute minimum in order to stave off your "terrror".)
Hi Kindredecho - I'm sorry you had to deal with that level of unkindness. I believe in open and respectful debate in this space and as such, the comment and user has been removed.
@@KirileeCosplay First thank you for monitoring your feed, many don't. I recognize that you absolutely have the right, and I would dare say consider it your duty, to protect the tone you wish this channel to maintain. That said, and to misquote Prince Friederich, I'm made of sterner stuff than that. Please, don't feel you need to expurgate anyone on my account. I'm old school and if I can't hold my own in the sandbox I should go play on the swings. :D
Good for you! :) it wasn’t just you- they also posted on about 15 other comments on this video - all just as nasty.
Nope, not on my channel.
I think that Penelope's dresses are intent to make her look biger than she is. She goes through an ugly duckling transformation in third book. She gets a bit slimmer though she stays full figured and curvy. Nicola Coughlan is chubby but in those gowns she looks 20 pounds hevier than she actually is. The costumes will save her from going throug any crazy body transformation to look the part later on.
I couldn’t agree more ^_^ I’ve not read the books but my friend and I have had long discussions about it and she told me that too since she has read them
HAHA I am currently rewatching it and am noticing the same thing!! However, I do want to note, that later in the books she loses weight, I do feel like they are doing her wrong in her dresses to also show that big sudden change in the future seasons. Her dresses look the way they do to dramatize that. Just a thought?
I think that would also be played into the design choice as well :) My friend and I had this discussion as she has read all of the books - it makes sense.
Brilliant character analysis!!!! This was well spoken and organized!
Thank you so much!
I had not heard of this series until I saw you start posting about it. I don't think it is one that would normally draw my interest, but after watching this video, I really kind of curious about it. I'm going to have to give it a watch.
It is a fun show to watch!
Oh I love this video! I completely agree, I loved the show, and the costume were frivolous and fun, I feel the point wasn't to be historically accurate. Thank you for another fabulous video! 💖💖💖
Exactly how I feel too- a bit of guilty pleasure and a whole lot of fun :)
Thank you for the video. You are a boss for wearing your gloves and keeping them for the whole video!
Hahaha a lady always keeps her gloves on
One of the few times that I would think about getting Netflix. Not quite, but close. It's so interesting when costumes become a character of their own. Thanks for the comments, it was very interesting. Take care.
Thank you so much for watching Nancy :)
They were not trying to be absolutely accurate and the costumers knew it. The costumes were used as part of the storytelling, to tell us something about the characters and the society. They created a visual feast!
I agree :)
Great perspective!
Thank you!
I love your thoughts on this.
Thank you
Let’s be real, shall we? Nothing about Bridgerton is historically accurate. I have nothing against the production choices. I love all of Julia Quinn’s romance books and Netflix is doing a great job.
However being historically accurate would mean an entire white cast, no modern music hidden in classical orchestration, costumes made of era correct fabric, and jewelry actually from that time.
This is a fantasy meant to inspire putting the modern person into the romance. It works.
As for Penelope, in the books she says her mother likes to dress her up like a pumpkin. It does get better.
Thank you for weighing in with your thoughts on the matter :)
FINALLY!!! Someone who got it right about why the costume was that way. Its all about the mothers choices. Its a running gag in the books about how bad the dresses are and poor pen who gets the worst of it. Its not the costumers. Its the writing of the author who the script and costumers are staying true to her idea and words. Ive been so frustrated watching the reviews because they don't get that it is on purpose. Her mother is written exactly like a evil stepmother and the evil sisters with her meaness and horrible dress choices. Thank you for getting it. She is one of my favorite characters of the whole series because shes the underdog. Along with lady Danbury who is a feisty lady she ends up being such a good character too.
Glad we are on the same page!
ITA about Penelope’s costumes! It’s intended to inform us about her character and how she is viewed.
Indeed!
I also think it gives opportunity for Penelope to grow as a character.. if you read the book about her and Colin further along in the series.. It indicates that her mother gives up on her marrying and because she's an old maid she can wear what she likes... Along with the fact that she looses 2 Stone along the way
I can’t wait to see her journey
Gonna be honest, the only reason I watched Bridgerton was because I found out Clare from Derry Girls was in it. And speaking of which, if any of y'all are interested in another period piece that has Nicola Coughlan as one of the leads, watch Derry Girls.
She a fabulous actress :)
I love it so much too. COSPLAY GOALS
I am currently working on my Penelope Featherington inspired cosplay ^_^ Should be all complete tomorrow.
@@KirileeCosplay I have a stash of shiny trims and was planning to make pens court gown. : ) It's soooooo shiny!
Give it a crack! Why not! It is a gorgeous gown
Agree with the grown up costumes for her love story with Colin! I hope they put her in alot of blues to match Colin. Bright Blues! Do you think they will put her in Blues or another color like Green for Season 4?
I do hope so. I would love to see her in lavender I think :)
About the queen - IRL Queen Charlotte was noted for not changing her personal fashion. So it's more or less accurate. Plus those wigs!!!
I’m not sure if I completed agree with that as there are portraits of her in regency dress
@@KirileeCosplay fair enough
@@KirileeCosplay while she may have worn the modern style in private and in her portraits, the protocol for public appearances demanded the older style. It's no different than today where the protocols for modern royals are decades behind current fashion and the press goes ape shit when one of the women (almost always more harshly judged) violates that.
A theory is that she wore the older costumes bc of her husbands dementia or delusions (he ask where their daughter is and she died years ago)
I'm completely with you... haha. I loved the show and it made me just dive into another "quick" project, which in the end will probably be more elaborate than originally thought.
Not that I still have two other cosplay projects unfinished... *cough*
Hahaha I feel this in my soul. So far I've dedicated 4 days to a "quick" Penelope Featherington inspired cosplay... I should be able to wrap it up tomorrow. Fingers crossed!
@@KirileeCosplay oh can’t wait to see it. I saw a glimpse on Instagram.
Mine will not be a screen seen, just something I’m whipping up myself. 🤞
So far the stays are done.
Fair enough! I hope it turns out as wonderfully colourful as the show’s
I really want to Cosplay Penelope! Any suggestions on how to do so ?
Watch my video I released after this one where I made one ;)
Honestly, have a massive amount of fun with it. If you need a decent and easy pattern the simplicity pattern I used was good- just extend the front shoulder panel by about 2ish inches I found- just do a quick mock up :)
I am reading one of the sequel books, and I agree that the colors, and a bit of the styling are on point with how the characters are written. I however think there are a number of areas where the costumes cross the line an jar us out of the world, and are lazy choices on the part of the costuming/design team. We can always demand better when it can be done.
A fair point to raise indeed!
I must have terrible taste because I loved all her dresses, especially the yellow ones.
Thank you for the a perspective, because I think the costume choices were purposeful. Maybe if we see more of the series, we'll see Pen getting her own clothes as she becomes her own woman
Exactly! And with her own money ;)
I think that it will be a story telling device that will be used as she matures into her own individual person
What a wonderful analysis !
Thank you so much!
I knew it when Eloise said the witer had to be in high sociuty but probaly a widow. By then i knew it was her.
Good on you! I was surprised but happy
ok, interesting theory about the fit.. it will be interesting to see if this unfolds through her costumes next season..
Indeed. I think it will. Especially when she breaks away from her family more and uses her own money :)
Its really obvious that you shouldn't take Bridgerton as a realistic period drama. The dialogue, the incredible score, and the use of colour is all there to highlight that this is our world in their time.
It reminds me of the anachronisms in Sex Education.
Nicely put!
More bridgington! Cospaly dresses!! Plzzzz😭😭😭😭😍😍🥰🥰 they look so gorgeous!!❤❤❤❤
You are in luck! I am currently finishing off a Penelope Featherington inspired cosplay- wig and all! Check it out over on my Instagram :)
@@KirileeCosplay what's your Instagram!😊
@kirileecosplay :)
I completely thought that and I’ve only seen the first two episodes. I don’t mind spoilers though.
Hahaha excellent!
Comes to what I experienced. Hand me downs never fit me right. I just thought the mother was awful to her because she’s prettier than the older two and she doesn’t want the youngest to marry first.
That’s interesting!
perhaps I am the only one but I love the yellow butterfly dress she has in th very first episode. perhaps because I like butterflies.... or perhaps because it feels totally from another world xD
The butterfly dress is very VERY darn cute
I'm now going to watch Bridgerton due to this video. I really love Downton Abbey, so I'm sure I'll enjoy Bridgerton too.
It’s a fair bit more raunchy than downton ^_^ enjoy!
Oh thanks you darling for this vidéo! I am in thé processe of filming and sewing (one i recievd thé pattern) a dress giving an omage to Penelope, and this vidéo helps me so mutch ♥️ !
I’m so glad! I am currently do the same as well!
Pen mentions her outfits a LOT in the book. This would make a lot of sense
Indeed :)
I believe that one of the reasons Penelope's dresses are so flat on her it's kind of to make her more childlike in a way, because if think about it, she wears what her mother wants, and her mother doesn't really believe she's marryable enough, because in her eyes she's not really a full woman, not a little girl but not really a woman (like Britney's song), and that's kinda her plot with the Bridgeton's younger brother Collin she's wants to be seen by him less as a little sister to him but more as a young woman that she is, when she dresses something that fit her body properly (that is growing is maturing), is actually she's trying to mature herself and be the young woman that she is, and also pink have this meaning of youthful love, femininity and flirtiness really a color that represents her state of mind deeper and brighter the pink, deeper her wanting to be loved and desired.
Interesting!
OK now I do have to watch it again :D
Hehehe it is great. Little subtle facial expressions that now have new meaning. Placement of Pen when there is the voice over... it is all gorgeous
The Modiest in the second season says the last thing a lady would do is wear something that makes her look bad. That's why no one suspects Penn as Lady Whissledown.
Interesting
In the third season of Bridgerton Penelope has improved her style. Will you be making any of Penelope dresses from the season?
I’ve already made the carriage dress a year ago from some blurry images :p
I do want to make another :)
I feel like her clothes, because of the poor fit, gives the idea of an unmature woman. Like that she's a child
Lol I didn't finish the video so I didn't realize you made that point
All good :)
Great Video!!!
Thanks!
On the side note: love your dress, at least what i can see😌❤️
Thanks!
I'm no costumer or expert, but I am a Regency afficionado.
The first time I watched Bridgerton, I kept annoying everyone in the household, with my yells of "WRONG! They got it SO WRONG! That would NEVER happen in that culture. WRONG!"
Then, I realized something amazing. Bridgerton is set in AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. This is, of course, absolutely VITAL to the Queen Charlotte spin-off, and I am THRILLED that they actually say so, right up front, at the beginning of the first episode. I WISH they had done the same for the series, at large.
Anyway, once I stopped looking at Bridgerton as "a Regency romance," and just saw it as a romance, set in an alternate universe, where a certain land mass was called, "England," and the current king was mad, and his son was regent, well, I was able to lap up the show with relish.
As for the costumes, I know they are WRONG! Oh, so very WRONG! However, they are also GORGEOUS. So, my head-canon is that they are spot-on correct for that alternate universe, and they are GORGEOUS.
Except for poor Penelope's dresses, of course. But then again, that's actually important to the plot of the series. The books (yeah, I had to read them after watching the first season, and falling in love (platonically!) with Eloise and Penelope. I adored them both. The big reveal at the end of Season 1 didn't surprise me on bit, because it just MADE SENSE for her, so much. I will avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say that, in the books and in the show, Lady Featherington insisted on dressing all of her daughters in citrus colors, and always chose lemon or tangerine for Penelope, despite her complexion, and it looked hideous on her, and Penelope knew it, and bemoaned it very much. And many people teased her for it. So, yeah. Her dresses are not gorgeous. Well, not on her.
I think that if those same dresses were worn by someone with the complexion to wear those colors, they'd be gorgeous, too.
Well said
I said this on another video but I feel the queen and king still wearing old-style clothing shows how stale their marriage is. How fragile she feels.
That is an interesting theory! I like it
I hate the storyline and love the costume appearances despite the inaccuracy.
Fair enough!
I'm normally a stickler for perfectly HA film costuming, but...that wouldn't have suited this show one bit, and (with the exception of the dumb tightlacing scene, which isn't inherently the clothes' fault) I LOVED the costume design and the show as a whole.
I agree with everything that you have said! Tight lacing was silly but the rest I can live with and enjoy
No... She had the best costumes. I love how you brought out the visual stories. Ive watched the new Marry Poppins Movie a few times.. I love looking at the costumes.. I had never noticed (other movies) some of the costumes look painted.. Thanks for posting.
That’s a good example too of the costumes telling a particular story!
You look like a Bridgerton so pretty ❤️❤️
Thank you!
This is the first review of this that has made me even remotely want to watch it because you came at this from such a different angle seeing the fabric and costume design and story driving not atrocious inaccurate costumes. 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it! I think Bridgerton did a wonderful job with the story telling aspect through costume :)
it's a good theory, but since there are so many characters with ill-fitted gowns I doubt the design team made this effort for Pen and not the others.
I do disagree it was for other characters to to the same degree
Sorry. I am part of the not existent group: „it’s okay - having its pros and cons“
Absolutely it is!
I don't want to alarm you but your background in am dram is showing! 😨....good analysis though. There is no mistake in how the costumes are selected / created.
Hahaha you don't say ;)
Lol feelings. Absolutely, feelings that needed alone time. With myself.... LOL
Ok?
Penelope's poor waistline. I see why the designers did that to her, but it was a step too far
It was improved in season 2 :)
Okay hear me out I think they look terrible on her everybody can agree on that but I think it's more of a trying to convince the audience that she's younger than what she is isnt she supposed to be 13 years old. They make her outfits more bust appropriate when she is going places with out her mom at least what i thought
Interesting point! And I hope to see more of Pen being more individual... I wonder what she is doing with the money.
Probably saving it all up so she help her family 🤦♀️ gambling is terrible
Or saving it up so she can escape!
She is meant to be 17 years the same age as Eloise.
@Charisma Girl ok 🤷♀️it was just a guess no need to be pushy with your explaining someone already told me in the above comment she is 17 in the story being told. Have a great rest of your day.