Shine bright like a Featherington: All the costume colour symbolism in Bridgerton, explained

Bridgerton is known for its dazzling dresses, glittery heels and historically inaccurate hairstyles, but its colour schemes actually hold vital information about each of the characters. The series, set in the Regency era, uses colour theory to foreshadow important plot points in subtle ways that you’d probably miss on a first watch. So from the citrus frocks of the Featheringtons to the cool blues of the Bridgertons, here’s a rundown of the hidden symbolism behind the Bridgerton clothes colour schemes.

Blue

Blue, the colour of clarity, calmness and security, is sported mostly by the show’s namesake family, the Bridgertons. The Bridgerton boys wear a rich navy whilst Eloise and Violet wear lighter shades of blue, with some viewers suggesting it’s a play on their watered-down status as women. The family may have staked their claim on the colour, including within their prestigious house, but there are a few exceptions to this rule.

Of course, the iconic Bridgerton blue isn’t lost on Kate. Her coat is a darker shade like the Bridgerton boys, implying a defiance of the gender stereotypes already established through clothing. Kate’s style in season two begins with deep jewel tones, and unlike her sister, she is considered a spinster who no longer needs to appease the ton. As she spends more time with Anthony, their colour palettes merge, and they are spotted wearing each other’s colours on several occasions. As if I needed another reason to love them.

Teal

Thanks to her season three glow-up, Penelope dazzled the ton in a beautiful teal dress, just a few shades away from matching the family she loves so dearly. People think this new colour symbols a welcome stability of life with Lord Debling, or much more likely, a foreshadow of a Polin marriage in the second part season three.

You may have already noticed in season three that Pen seems to cling to these shades of green. While they definitely enhance her natural beauty, viewers have already made the connection between Colin’s blue and Penelope’s yellow merging to become green. Even their clothes know that they’re meant to be. The Bridgerton clothes colour schemes have a subtle way of foreshadowing what’s to come, if you look closely enough.

Citrus

The eye-aching citrus tones paraded by the Featherington family are associated with optimism, enthusiasm and warmth, despite leaving a sour taste in your mouth. Penelope typically wore yellow throughout season one and two, a colour that usually suggests a bright and cheery nature, although this may only be an exterior as she hides a scandalous secret. Yellow has also been known to reflect deceit and envy, which obviously refers to Lady Whistledown, Penelope’s alter ego.

Keeping it historically accurate, citrus colours were worn by marriage-seeking women in the Regency era, showing the Featherington sisters’ desires, or more likely their mother’s desire, to be married off. It was also claimed by the Jane Austen Centre that yellow was considered one of the most popular colours among the higher class, highlighting how important social standing was to Mrs Featherington.

Deep Red

Both the Duke and Lady Danbury wear darker reds, crimsons and which signify their association with royalty. At times they’re even spotted wearing purple, a combination of royal red and Bridgerton blue. Also, you might have noticed that Simon doesn’t start wearing colour until he falls in love with Daphne – if that isn’t classed as wearing your heart on your sleeve, I don’t know what is. I will never be over them!

White and pink

Soft whites and pinks are often reserved for more romantic characters throughout Bridgerton, such as Daphne and Edwina. A seemingly random pairing, these two have more in common than you may realise, despite their stories being seasons apart. Both girls are stunning diamonds of the season, valued on their looks and set to be married. However, they are also both deceived by their family, with Daphne being left in the dark about her marital duties by her mother, and Edwina lied to by Kate about her feelings for Anthony.

Surprisingly, another huge fan of pink is Cressida Cowper, although she usually dons a much bolder shade. Viewers have wondered if she flaunts the colour in a Regina George kind of way, or maybe it’s a hint to how she softens as a character in season three. Only the end of season three will tell…

Part one of Bridgerton season three is available on Netflix now. For more like this explainer on Bridgerton clothes colour schemes and all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

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Featured image via Netflix