Bridgerton took viewers by storm when it debuted in December 2020 on Netflix (it was the top series before Squid Games snagged the spot), and the power of the show’s influence even reached fashion, inspiring a “regencycore” renaissance after season 1. The show is returning for season 2 on March 25, and bringing with it a revival of this sought-after trend. If you’re wondering what exactly is regencycore, we are breaking it all down, with shoppable links to help you score the look yourself.
The style of regencycore dressing brings back all the glamour and exaggerated silhouettes seen within the Regency era of 1811 to 1820 (which, you guessed it, just so happens to be the setting of Bridgerton‘s storyline). The style of that time was defined by an emphasis on society’s sexual liberation, with cinched corsetry, plus maximalist ballgowns that featured intricate embroidery, worn with opulent evening gloves, pearls, feathers and folding hand fans.
What regencycore does is give the high-drama corseted look a modern twist, and it sure does have an avid fan base — the hashtag #regencycore has 19.5 million viewers alone on TikTok! It’s also inspiring designers who are tapping into the desire for puff-sleeve, high-neck, empire-waist dresses in delicate floral-print designs. There’s a new pop-up shop, The Carousel @ Bloomingdale’s, featuring Bridgerton-themed merchandise that exudes the regencycore aesthetic from brands like Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese and Malone Souliers.
Even makeup guru, Dame Pat McGrath, is bringing the trend to the world of beauty with Pat McGrath Labs’ latest collection of body shimmer, a lipstick, eye palette and eyeliner made in partnership with Shondaland and Netflix. (She also tapped no other than Nicola Coughlin, a.k.a. Lady Whistledown herself, to star as the face of the campaign.)
We’ve been noticing that TV shows have a way of sparking “core” fashion (just take a look at “grandmacore” which popped up during the airing of …And Just Like That). We have Bridgerton’s season 1 protagonist Daphne to thank for making regencycore happen, and we have a feeling with season 2’s focus on Kate Sharma (played by Sex Education‘s Simone Ashley) more dreamy dresses are in store.
As we eagerly await the return of Bridgeton (set a reminder for March 25), grab a bottle of ratafia and Lady Whistledown’s latest society papers and shop GRAZIA‘s oh-so regencycore edit ahead of season 2’s big debut.
