The world of Bridgerton burst onto our screens four years ago in a cloud of glitter, sex, and sequins, like a heteronormative version of The Rocky Horror Show. As someone who dabbles in historical costume, I would happily wear a full regency-style ballgown to lectures every day. However, Cambridge weather considered, here are some more realistic ideas of how to add a little bit of Bridgerton to your 21st-century outfits.

The empire waist

The most notable feature of regency fashion is its incredibly high waistlines that sit just underneath the bust. If someone invented this style in 2024, it might be called “classic-core”, or “the Greek Aesthetic”, since the inspiration for the look is rooted in classical Greek and Roman styles. Humans clearly have an ongoing fascination with placing the waist of dresses anywhere other than the natural waist, with revivals of this style cropping up repeatedly throughout the past century. I suspect the main reason for this is just how damn comfortable the dresses are; as someone who has worn regency dresses at multiple historical re-enactments, I can confirm that they are incredible for ease of movement, airflow, and general comfort.

“I can confirm that regency dresses are incredible for ease of movement, airflow, and general comfort”

The high waist remains popular to this day, popping up in dresses, tops and tunics. Finding modern items with this waistline is a great way to add a subtle touch of the Bridgerton world to your wardrobe. If you’re into feminine styles, 1970s prairie dresses (or more recent replicas) bring the regency silhouette into sundress form. For more casual wear, the resurgence of the empire waist in the tops and tunics of the 2000s means that thousands of options can now be found simply by searching “empire waist top” in Vinted or Depop.

Have a signature motif

Eagle-eyed watchers may have noticed that plot-relevant motifs pop up frequently in the Bridgerton universe. For example, Penelope Featherington frequently wears butterfly motifs throughout all three seasons of the show, to hint at her transformation from wallflower to the emerald of the season. The meaning behind this particular motif is not new; Cinderella (2015), is another transformation story, that also features butterflies in its now-famous blue ballgown worn by Lily James.

If you want to add a little bit of hidden detail to your wardrobe, why not find a motif that expresses your inner self? Perhaps stars, to indicate that you are destined for future fame, or moustaches, to indicate that you’re emotionally stuck in 2012?

Hair accessories- sparkles and flowers

The hairstyles of Bridgerton are not denied their share of fun – we see ribbons, flowers, jewellery, feathers, and even miniature swans get lodged in people’s hair throughout the show. These accessories bring the outfits to a higher level – and can bring your outfits to a higher level too.

“Decorative hairpins are relatively inexpensive and simple to add to an updo for a touch of shine”

Adding a bit of bling to your hair is perfect for a formal or a ball – decorative hairpins are relatively inexpensive and simple to add to an updo for a touch of shine.

Sleeves – bigger is better

My favourite character of season three was undoubtedly Cressida Cowper’s sleeves. Scene by scene, episode by episode, they grew in size, making it difficult for me to concentrate on anything else. Are they practical? Of course not. Could you wear a raincoat over that? It’s a definite no. But do I wish that I could steal one of her dresses to wear to lectures? Absolutely.

Humans have invented so many fun and interesting sleeves – puffed, bell, Juliet, leg-of-mutton, buttery, trumpet, tulip. Now that I type it out, this list sounds an awful lot like the phonetic alphabet.

The season of Cambridge Winter Balls is only a few months away – if you are considering going to one, might I suggest finding a dress with statement sleeves? A large sleeve can add the perfect touch of drama to an ensemble, as well as help to assert your dominance over a room of slowly freezing debutantes.

Wear the same colour as your family

Bridgerton took a leaf out of secondary school productions of Romeo and Juliet everywhere, by helpfully colour-coding the different families of the ton for our convenience. Like two rival football teams, the Bridgertons have their blue, and the Featheringtons have their painfully sour shades of citrus, and never the two shall meet. When watching a scene set in Bridgerton House, which is also decked in the family colours, the characters are so well-camouflaged that it took me all of season one to realise that Francesa had disappeared.

Looking for the ultimate way to pay homage to Bridgerton? Desperate for a bit of family unity? Get your parents, siblings, estranged aunts, distant cousins, anyone you share a scrap of DNA or an ounce of love with – to colour-coordinate with you. But make sure to keep it subtle – if your entire family unit starts wearing head-to-toe purple, it might make people worry that you’ve joined a cult.