You may be quite familiar with this phrase, especially if you’ve been keeping up with the over-the-top Baroque Netflix show Bridgerton. Famous for its intense romantic drama that never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat, Bridgerton has captured the hearts of viewers everywhere. The numerous intersecting plots and relationships between characters during the show's debut season sent viewers into a frenzy. Now, the show is back for its’ heavily awaited second season.

But let’s take a step back for a second. While the show’s plot itself does have  such a tight grip on its audience, this is certainly not the only reason for this show's popularity. If you’ve ever watched Bridgerton, the overall aesthetic is something that is  hard to ignore, and is especially evident in the costume design. We knew the Baroque-esque era in which the drama takes place was nothing short of gaudy, but you could say Bridgerton takes this period and multiplies it by a thousand. Think intricate, satin gowns accompanied by countless embroidered sequins and gems, completed with extravagant jewelry to match. The wigs in this show extend a person’s height by over a foot, and it’s safe to say there are pretty much no limits. Are you starting to get the picture? 

But, how extreme these costumes seem should not come as too much of a surprise if you know your history. To be specific, the exact era which Bridgerton takes place in is the Regency era of 17th century London: a time where this extravagant look was simply the norm– anything else was underachieving. If you happen to be into fashion, you may notice these same elements making a grand return centuries later in the industry. 

Take a look around and you might take notice of things like satin, pearls, gloves,  lace, and poofy garments all surfacing on the forefront of what’s trending. Not only are  these resurfacing individually, but in combinations as well, really emphasizing the effect  this era has on fashion right now. For example, putting a satin gown and luxurious  elbow length gloves together has become the new, trendy formalwear. You also may  have heard the term “ballet core” circulating around on Tok Tok; this is the name given  to this precise vibe of somewhat dressing like a modernized aristocrat from the 1800s,  clad in satin and tulle.

So, why is this resurfacing now? After all, we always hear that “trends will  always come back around sooner or later”, but this is hundreds of years later. However when you think about it, shows like Bridgerton are so gripping because they are so entrancing to look at. You can debate much, but no one can disagree that its’ visuals are so pleasing to look at because of the apparent grandeur. High fashion would seem to agree to this statement as well; Moschino has had two recent shows heavily inspired  by this sort of “Rococo” period. Their ready-to-wear 2020 collection included massive  satin dresses with dramatic silhouettes along with massive wigs reminiscent of the  time. Their fall/winter 2022 collection is especially relevant, with the set itself seeming  like it could have been ripped straight from an aristocrat’s portrait. Fendi recently  depicted what these styles look like modernized in their most recent fall/winter  collection which was rich with sheer and satin fabrics in the pastel range. However, this  collection did not feature multi-foot tall wigs and hoop skirts.

In short, this feeling of wanting to dress like a princess is nothing short of  irrelevant, and if anything adds a little enchantment to our life. Who doesn’t want to act like a member of high society at least a little bit? Maybe the next time you pick up a tee from Urban Outfitters with a cherub printed on the front, you will remember you’re actually bringing back Baroque into the modern era. Perhaps it all makes the point that we can embody luxury without having to buy a pricey gown; we can embed it into an ensemble in many different ways. That can look like a simple touch of satin and lace, or some romantic pearls. However maybe we can leave the powdered wig in the past, at least for right now.

Written by Aubrey Matson, Photography: Angel Frando, Social Media: London Marchman