A Bridgerton Ball, Part 1
Bridgerton comes for us all, in the end… While I am not the biggest fan of the show itself, and sometimes quite frustrated with costumes I see (it’s not even inaccuracy - it’s inconsistent workmanship), I will never begrudge the opportunity to play dress up and do Regency-era activities. A local events company is holding a Bridgerton-inspired event with dancing and presentation to the Queen, and how could I pass up the chance to join the frivolity?
Let me make the disclaimer that I am never an acolyte of the historical accuracy police - especially for hobbyists but honestly even from professionals in Hollywood. I think riffing on Regency-inspired with lots of modern adaptations for a contemporary audience is wonderful. I remember watching and loving the show Reign - not a single thing about it was accurate but it certainly was entertaining, and captured the teen drama vibe it sought to embody. On a scale of Reign to… let’s say Autumn de Wilde’s 2020 adaptation of Emma, any level of accuracy can be immersive given the role of the costumes in the story. Sometimes historical costumers will be driven to madness by forgotten details (like Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, which had such an overall great look in terms of costumes and character choices, and then made stupid mistakes of all sorts). And sometimes historical costumers nod to the Bridgerton phenomenon: we know it’s not accurate, but it’s not trying to be, and it’s driving a renewed love for garment history and potentially acting as a gateway to new historical costumers joining the community.
My dress for this event is made from a modern Regency costume pattern (that is, it’s cut to wear with a modern bra and not stays - plus it has a zipper) that looks relatively accurate from afar with a bit of care. I am Bridgerton-ifying it by using special occasion fabrics (crepe back satin and embroidered tulle) and by nixing the sleeves entirely. There’s a Daphne dress in Season 1 that I quite like (nearly sleeveless) and I personally don’t love the look of a puff sleeve on me, so I think since accuracy isn’t important, the sleeves have got to go.
I have made this pattern before but I wanted to make sure the size I’d cut out last time still fit, so I made a mock-up with some poly-cotton poplin (Kaufman Perfecto Poplin, I believe - one of my last purchases from fabric.com before it died, RIP). Rather than following the darts on the pattern, I did slash-and-spread from the top to add fabric to be gathered along the neckline but NOT at the waistline. This needs to be refined but I don’t hate it.
I finished it out properly and I’m quite happy with it, either as a slightly inaccurate option on its own, or combined with a spencer or round gown with sleeves, it will be a lovely, accurate-looking base. In these photos, the hat is a crafting creation (Dollar Tree sunhat makeover with cheap flowers and ribbon) and the gloves are from a shop called Austenation (I hope to feature them in more detail soon but probably won’t wear them to the ball, as they are very daytime).
Next, I cut out and began to assemble my final garment pieces. The top two layers (one of tulle, one of satin) were basted together so they could function as one piece, and then a second layer of satin for the lining. I did this so that the turned-in seam allowances wouldn’t be visible through the tulle. I also added in a bust gather feature, but instead spread this evenly and gathered at the bust and waistlines. I lined everything the sleeveless way (back pieces to front pieces at the shoulder seam rather than the side seam, sew outer to inner along neckline and armholes, pull back pieces through front pieces right ways, then sew up the side seams inside out). Then I pleated and attached the two-layered skirt.
As of writing this, I only have the zipper and hem left to do, plus I’ll need to figure out my hair. I plan to wear flats (a la Regency slippers). I have a hand fan and a reticule, and won’t worry about a shawl or gloves since the event is in late July and sure to be extremely warm.
Stay tuned for Part 2 later this month to see the finished product!
