The Bridgerton effect! John Lewis leads retailers reporting a surge in sales of croquet sets, corsets and tiaras as Netflix viewers recreate the magic of the Regency drama at home
- Regency period drama Bridgerton is set in London and takes place in the 1800s
- The second series was recently released by streaming service Netflix
- Since the launch, UK searches and sales have spiked for Regency style items
- These include tiaras, corsets, croquet sets, and other items from the show
After its second series racked up a staggering 193 million hours of views over its release weekend, it’s fair to say Bridgerton is a major success.
And now, as well as getting stuck into the love lives of their favourite characters, many UK viewers seem keen to recreate the looks sported by the cast of Netflix’s programme.
Retailers have reported spikes in sales of some of the fashionable pieces seen worn by characters on the show, including tiaras, empire line dresses, and corsets.
Even lifestyle items like croquet sets have seen increased interest, as people try to recreate the programme’s pomp in their own homes.
The love of Regency cosplay is unlikely to come to an end any time soon, a stylist has told FEMAIL, with people looking to embrace the epoch’s romantic style after two years of pared down pandemic life.
Regency romp Bridgerton (pictured), which has been a smash hit for streaming service Netflix, has caused an spike in searches and purchases of Regency-related items (Pictures L-R) Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Shelley Conn as Mary Sharma, Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma
Among the items shoppers have been searching for since the release of the show’s second series are corsets and statement jewellery
Searches for tiaras, which are a style staple on the programme, have increased by 32% on John Lewis’ website
‘Regency core’ is not only limited to clothing and accessories: lifestyle options like British Summer game croquet (pictured) have also benefited from the Bridgerton effect
According to John Lewis, sales of croquet are up 90 per cent week-on-week. It credits soaring sales of British perennial garden game to the programme, in which it features heavily.
When it comes to style, the British high street giant has seen increases in searches for a number of period-appropriate outfits, including silk dresses (up 63 per cent) and corsets, which have seen a 20 per cent rise.
Accessories have also benefited from the Bridgerton effect, with tiara searches growing by 32 per cent since the release of the show’s second series.
And jewellery has also been part of the trend: according to Accessorize, it has seen a staggering 49 per cent sales increase in statement earrings, which it credits to the programme.
This growing interest in ‘Regency core’ is unlikely to end any time soon, according to TV and celebrity fashion expert Miranda Holder, who cited several reasons she believes the trend will continue.
She told FEMAIL: ‘The release of Bridgerton series 2 has coincided perfectly with Spring fever, and following those few days of sunshine a week or so ago, the nation is feeling inspired and ready to mark the changing of the seasons with a little much-needed frivolity.
‘In the sartorial world, things were already heading that way, with pearls, 90’s-inspired chokers, and corsets already trending, and the success of the new series has simply added fuel to the fashion fire.’
Bridgerton also seems to have had an impact on consumer interest in croquet, as the characters are seen playing the British Summer game
According to the stylist, the second of the series coinciding with life starting to return to normal post-pandemic, could also maintain the trend.
‘As we are finally reclaiming our lives following the two year suppression of the pandemic, there is a palpable air of living for the moment, and this has filtered through to the high streets with fashionistas taking every opportunity to express themselves, whether this is colour blocking with neon brights, or embracing the flowing maxi-skirts that we will be seeing so much more of as the year progresses,’ she explained.
‘Enter Bridgerton maximalism stage left, and the willing can lose themselves in Regency romance.’
People are not only obsessed with the love lives of their favourite Bridgerton characters, but also with their aesthetic (Pictured L-R) Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma, Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Hugh Sachs as Brimsley, Charithra Chandran as Edwina Sharma, Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury
Elegant statement jewellery, as well as tiaras, has seen a surge in interest after being spotted on the small screen in Bridgerton (Pictured L-R) Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury, Simone Ashley as Kate Sharma
While puff shoulders and statement sleeves have already been carried over from S/S 2021, according to Miranda, we can now ‘expect added flourishes, with Featherington-inspired adornments, such as ruffles, embellishments, opera gloves and rhinestones’.
She added: ‘Pearls are already on trend, but expect statement necklaces to have a moment all of their own, as will hair accessories, which are nothing short of spectacular in the show.
‘Whether it’s a rhinestone-encrusted headband, a feathered fascinator or simply an ornate hair clip, Bridgerton has gripped the nation and swept us away from all the bad news with its breathtaking costumes and we want ‘in’.’
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