Disclaimer: I have never seen Bridgerton. There's something about a period drama that makes me feel a bit unusual, like when people go to open air reenactments of World War II and dress up and pretend everything was just oh-so-jolly as bombs rained down on every major city. Except, with Bridgerton, I can't suspend myself in the disbelief as these handsome, clear-skinned beauties waltz with one another free from the ravages of smallpox and a life expectancy of 31. But handsome they are, and the Netflix bodice ripper has done numbers: a record 82 million households streamed Bridgerton in its first 28 days, making proper stars of its cast. Jonathan Bailey, a British actor that has caused much Twitter thirst, is one of them – and he's taking a bit of Bridgerton into real life.
But not "good day to you, sir" Bridgerton; not breathless kisses against a burning sky of fireworks in pastel jodhpurs Bridgerton. This was the hermitic viscount of Bridgerton, the one who locks himself away in a high, crumbling castle because his wife did actually succumb to the smallpox. And it looks good, this old-but-new mourning suit.
With all the flourishes one would expect at a slightly posher-than-average wedding – cummerbund, bowtie, some sort of strange family heirloom brooch – the mourning suit is all-black, and thus, slightly moody, and a Regency sort of update to the sexy, sexy, sexy sort of tailoring you see in Milan. Despite coming from a very French place called Dior, Bailey's turn feels slightly British, and thus, slightly more staid, and a lot more moody. If The Secret Garden was rebooted for today, that widowed, weird goth uncle who only speaks when next to a single, flickering candle would wear this.
He, like Bailey, would look great. It's also further proof that the diktats of red carpet dressing are dissolving. But five years ago, the Baftas – arguably the most conservative of the awards ceremonies – would be filled with badly-fitted black tie, and not much else. Now, people are doing as they please. Daniel Kaluuya went for PRADA, BABY, and put fat strips of mohair on an overcoat. Sebastian Stan put eyelets on a big white collar. And Bailey went for a black and brooding mourning suit.
Of course, the inbred courtiers of the Regency era would never allow such a thing – but this is the sort of make believe I can (and will) buy into.
