Bridgerton dresses: the best regency-style dresses from the high street

When Bridgerton dropped on Netflix four years ago, we were ob-sessed with the dresses, costumes and ahem, maybe a bit of Regé-Jean Page (don't lie, you were too). Now, the latest season of Bridgerton, season three, is here (with part two releasing this week), and the internet has gone absolutely bonkers. Especially for Luke Newton's glow-up - huh? Who said that? 👀 ...

Although we're still having flashbacks of the enemies-to-lovers development of Anthony Bridgerton and Kate Sharma (not to mention that garden scene...), season three is now our favourite yet. Polin is here to stay, and boy, are we hot under the collar. *Proceeds to watch the carriage scene for the hundredth time*

So, we've got a bunch of new fabulous Bridgerton characters and costumes to feast our eyes on, and our Regencycore senses are tingling with excitement. Do we wish we could parade about in crowns and long dresses? Absolutely.

Corsets, big skirts and gloves, sign us up.

As much as we love the characters, we are simply obsessed with living in this traditional-slash-fantastical world and we only want to get our hands on those dresses and corsets ourselves.

We've hunted down the best affordable Bridgerton dresses you could possibly want to get your hands on. Puff sleeves, we're coming for you.

SHOP: Bridgerton dresses for every Regency-era girl

What style of dresses are in Bridgerton?

Known overall as "Regency-era dresses", the frocks worn in the show, as described by fashion historian Raissa Bretaña in an interview with Netflix, are made up of a "really, really high waistline right under the bust, and that really columnar skirt." Overall, the costume designers for Bridgerton nailed the look of the time. And yes - they really did hike the bosoms up that high on the chest. Let's bring that back in 2024.

What should I wear to a Bridgerton party?

The crucial piece of clothing one must wear to a Bridgerton party is that classic Regency dress, as described by Bretaña. With plenty listed in our shopping guide above, it's important to attend in that high waistline (called an "Empire waistline"), and columnar skirt dress - you'll be instantly recognisable. Pair it with kitten heels, silk gloves and a pearl necklace, and you're ready to be wooed by a Bridgerton brother at any soiree.

What is the cut of dresses in Bridgerton?

The Regency era dresses of Bridgerton are defined by their Empire waistline cut (right below the bosom), and long straight-line skirt. The sleeves are usually of the puffed variety, and the materials are silk or satin. In the period, and on the show, they wore corsets underneath their dresses to create that snatched waistline, although if you're looking to modernise the look - wearing a corset over your dress or a corset top is very fashion-forward. Paris Fashion Week worthy.

What does Bridgerton style mean?

As well as the classic Bridgerton dresses, which have become synonymous with the show, the corsets, elaborate pearled jewellery and tightly curled hair of the show are also mostly historically accurate. However, it's important to remember, because of the fictionised, fantasy nature of the show, that the traditional Regency dresses may be altered slightly to make them more appealing to the modern eye, such as modern manufactured fabrics and colours that certain classes may not have worn.

Ruby Barry is a Product Writer for Closer, specialising in fashion and beauty. The team has nicknamed her “dupe queen”, as there’s not a product in the world she can’t find a cheaper alternative for. She is a Bridgerton fanatic, having binge-watched every episode multiple times, and is a big fan of Jonathan Bailey's talent. And face.