Dearest gentle reader, part two of the Bridgerton series was released on June 13, ushering even more fanfare and, once again, proving that the Bridgerton series is a gift that keeps giving. From ear-worming classical music renditions of our favourite pop songs and grand love confessions that have us shipping characters, and wishing we could be in the show, to the delightful Regency-era fashion, Bridgerton is easily one of the top 5 shows of the year.
The styles unique to each character, adopted by them to feel like esteemed members of the ton, just like the music played at their ballroom parties, are very 21st-century fashion-coded. From Francesca Bridgerton’s quiet luxury aesthetic to Cressida Cowper’s tacky maximalism, find out what your favourite female characters are wearing in 2024 to secure double taps on Instagram and be known as the ultimate fashion influencer.
1. Penelope Bridgerton (nee Featherington)
Penelope Featherington wears two hats in Bridgerton. As a nod to how she evolved in Season 3 and her secret second identity as Lady Whistledown, this ex-wallflower will be known for wearing the most gorgeous slip dresses. She favours the citrus colour code associated with her family and shades of green.
I can vividly envision Penelope being more of a white sneakers girl when it comes to her choice of footwear, but for those days when she’s super in tune with her divine feminine, she won’t be afraid to throw in a pair of sensible heels.
2. Eloise Bridgerton
Brilliant, brazen, and rebellious, Eloise’s 2024 lookbook will be defined by preppy chic outfits. Watch her make a statement that screams “old money” with a neutral and warm-toned color palette and tailored jeans, button-down shirts, Mary Jane shoes, and headbands. Her favorite places to shop will be Chanel, Tony Burch, and Ralph Lauren.
In true Gen-Z fashion, Eloise might even keep a mood board where you will find pictures of Blair Waldorf (even though Eloise will absolutely hate Blair’s character), Yara Shahidi, Victoria Beckham, and the red Maison Margiela tabi shoes she hopes Daphne will get her for Christmas.
3. Lady Danbury
If the rich aunty aesthetic were a person, it would be Lady Danbury. One thing is for sure, while her style will be more contemporary, the impeccability and luxuriousness of it all will never change. It will be difficult to find Western brands that can capture Lady Danbury’s steeze, so fashion juggernauts, like Lanre Da Silva and Deola Sagoe, known for making women look expensive, will be her very own modistes.
In 2024, spot Lady Danbury tastefully wearing lustrous bou bous or elegant dresses tailored with rich fabrics, with one-of-a-kind head gear and statement accessories.
4. Cressida Cowper
This uncouth debutante loves to gossip and compete aggressively with other women, and her maximalist style—flamboyant, colourful ballroom gowns worn to overcompensate for her (unfortunate) lack of valuable jewellery—will also overcompensate with her fashion choices in 2024.
In other words, Cressisa’s wardrobe will be curated to distract her Instagram followers from the fact that she’s going broke and living a fake life. Wherever she goes, her goal will be to be the centre of attention so that she can pepper her haters and keep the general conversation on her avant-garde fashion rather than her dwindling fortunes.
On a night out, you can spot her looking tacky in a head-to-toe designer logo outfit (think Louis Vuttion). If she were to be a 21 MAG cover star, she would tell you she can’t live without ruffles, feathers, huge shoulder pads, oversized bells, and balloon-type sleeves and colours.
Cressida will EAT on themed red carpets like the MET GALA (with Tiannah Empire as one of her stylists), but for shows that don’t require attendees to do that much, she will be a regular on the worst-dressed list.
5. Francesca Bridgerton
Soft-spoken and witty Francesca is very Temi Otedola coded. If she were to be alive in 2024, she would be a quiet luxury fashionista. I’m talking sleek buns, a soft color clothing palette, modest yet stylish fashion, understated jewelry, exquisite purses with no logo, etc.
6. Kate Bridgerton (nee Sharma)
While Kate Sharma might be married to one of the hottest white men on earth, she constantly misses India, where she lived her whole life before stealing her sister’s man meeting the love of her life. I would like to believe my assertion is correct because in the Bridgerton show, Kate is always wearing shawls, and it gives the same energy as a dupatta/ chunni, which Indian women wear.
It’s 2024, and Kate, now married into a predominantly white family, wants to stay connected to her Indian culture, so she opts for flowy, sari-inspired dresses. Her family is loaded, so expect her to have the world’s best designers at her fingertips, who will help her attain the most stylish ethnic wardrobe.
When Kate travels to Nigeria for a baecation, trust that she will be spotted in pieces from Dye Lab, Eki Kere, Banke Kuku and Kilentar.
7. Daphne Basset (nee Bridgerton)
Our beloved Duchess of Hastings will certainly carry her regency core fashion into 2024. I simply cannot envision her in anything else. For brunches with her best friends or a simple day tending to her estate, she will choose a pastel-coloured puff-sleeved or milkmaid dress from her closet filled with dresses from House of CB. Daphne will absolutely adore the cottage-core trend—timeless slip dresses, dainty florals, flowing dresses, corsets, feminine aesthetics, bows etc.
8. Alice Mondrich
When it comes to 2024 fashion, Alice will be a patron saint for baddies. With her whip-smart and confident persona, her style is guaranteed to be very tasteful—I mean, did you see the gold gown with red accents she wore at the second ball of the season as soon as she came across some money?
Catch this gorgeous woman in well-tailored power suits, bold jewellery, exquisite street style, and pieces from Desiree Iyamah.
