By Jennifer Odell
5:50am PDT, May 10, 2024
_
"Bridgerton" returns to Netflix with a much buzzed-about third season on May 16 along with a brand new crop of stunning, over-the-top Regency era-inspired dresses.
This season's plot focuses on the blossoming relationship between Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton — and the costumes are "blossom"-appropriate, too. As designer Jonathan Glaser recently told Woman's World, his team had a flower garden in mind while creating the looks for Season 3. Think gowns that pop with delicate flower embellishments, layered sheer fabrics in colors from pale pastels to deep purples and rich, silky textures galore.
Of course, "Bridgerton" wouldn't be "Bridgerton" without catty characters, social climbing sneaks and outfits that warrant more side-eye than style points. That's why we're ranking the new season's dresses, from the beyond-bad to the oh-so-ravishing.
Let's get started…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
No. 18
On "Bridgerton," even the worst looks are so bad they're ah-mazing. That's certainly the case for Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen, right) and her mother, Lady Cowper (Joanna Bobin), whose dress sleeves seem to be channeling hot air balloons in this mother-daughter ensemble moment. Lady Cowper's voluminous midnight blue situation is doing her no favors, but if you ask us, it's Cressida's golden brocade, burlap sack-shaped gown that takes first place in season 3's worst dresses.
From the semi-sheer to collar to her sky high-piled coif to the teeny tiny purse that only makes the gown look even bigger, this is giving Regency-era-meets-'80s prom gone wrong.
MORE: See this year's Met Gala hits and misses from every angle
No. 17
Lady Cowper's not the only fashion-challenged mom in the new season of "Bridgerton." Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), seen here with a few of her children in a scene from season 3, is also short on strong style moments, as evidenced by this silver and blue number. While it could be a robe or housecoat — and the different layers of embellished fabric are pretty enough on their own — the matronly cut is far from our fave.
MORE: The best and worst films of 2024 ranked
No. 16
Once again, we find Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), struggling to make the right kind of fashion splash — and once again, Mama Cowper (Joanna Bobin) has managed to offset her daughter's dress in all the wrong ways here. This time, we're giving Cressida's gown points for the delicate black lace flower overlay and the fun angle of the black bow at her neckline. But we're not feeling the black feather fluff accessory — is that a purse, part of the dress or a pet ostrich? — or the curled edition of the same '80s prom hair we just saw. The whole outfit might have worked for Andie Walsh in 1986's "Pretty Pink." Circa 1815, it's a little much.
No. 15
"Bridgerton" costume designer John Glaser has said flower gardens and paintings inspired the dresses we see in season 3. That clearly includes this somewhat jumbled flower-forward look Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker) wears in the first episode. The dark gray-blue base of the dress makes a nice background for the Van Gogh-esque floral imagery. Unfortunately, once you toss in those multi-colored neck ruffles, everything else on the way down becomes a messy flower pile.
No. 14
Nicola Coughlan's rare ability to pull off red hair with yellow and pink anything as Penelope Featherington has impressed us since season 1 debuted in 2020. We're still into her daring redhead color combo in this scene from season 3, with a caveat or two. Mostly, we're not sold on the red fishnet covering that bold marigold dress, but judging from the intrigued look on Penelope's face here, she might be onto something by introducing the rich lavender fabric draped over her shoulder. It could definitely help tie everything else together.
No. 13
Like Penelope Featherington, "Bridgerton" character Prudence Featherington (Bessie Carter) has been known to take shade risks when it comes to dresses that work well with her red hair. This sherbet colored frock is among those risks — and she looks just lovely. We could do without the drapey sleeves, but the understated embroidered flowers and layered, light fabrics give this spring-ready look a welcome romantic feel.
No. 12
Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh), right, often pops up in menswear-esque designs on "Bridgerton," so this rich velvet gown is a nice change of pace. We're loving the low-key use of embroidery and embellishments, too — including the look-softening sash that falls down the front of the dress. While Lady Danbury gets a bit lost among all the red in Queen Charlotte's palace here, the rich color and texture both suit her character.
No. 11
Too much or not enough? We're on the fence with this shiny peacock blue dress for Lady Agatha Danbury (Adjoa Andoh). The color looks incredible on her and it's much more vibrant than her usual shades. But we're not totally sold on this level of shine. Maybe once we see it in action onscreen…
No. 10
Now, that's more like it, Lady Portia Featherington! This more sophisticated take on Lady Featherington's love of blue-gray dresses and ruffled edges features a sumptuous silky fabric and a flattering cut. Compared to the last look we saw her in, these ruffles feel more like accents — flirty and fun, not confusing and heavy-handed. Gold star!
No. 9
Cressida Cowper (Jessica Marsden) just turned a style corner for us here, too. Sure, she's wearing pom-poms for sleeves, but they're interesting and fun, especially alongside this subdued, pale pink bodice and flowing, layered bottom. Cressida's hair is also working for her with this dress, now that she's traded the stacked hard angles of her prom-ready looks for softer curls and a more elegant updo, accented with pink and white firecracker barrettes. Extra points for the simple, palest of pale pink necklace and earrings she's paired with it all.
No. 8
We have to give even higher marks to this unexpected Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) look, though. Sure, it's a little solid compared to all those soft and layered looks, but who would have expected a pattern straight out of the '70s to work in the Regency era? Alice's fashionable "Punch and Judy" scene number even looks comfortable on.
No. 7
Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) ties the knot twice in the book series "Bridgerton" is based on. That likely explains this bridal look early on in the third season, although this gorgeous, gold-embellished train makes for a pretty fabulous piano playing ensemble, too. Keep reading to see the front…
_
Here's a peek at the pretty front view of Francesca Bridgerton's flowing white gown. We're all for it!
No. 6
There's a lot to love about this look for Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), from the mix of dusty blues to the soft gray and blue flowers and petals stitched into the skirt. Those pearl buttons on her sheer gloves and the cornflower blue bow are all lovely, too, although we're less in love with the ruffled sleeve-tops.
No. 5
Here's another high scoring look for Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), right. Everything from the brocade and pearlescent cream to the smattering of flowers that changes on the way down the dress to the cut is winning our hearts with this one.
No. 4
Finally, a great dress from the light blue-obsessed Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie)! With its ethereal layers of white petal and blue flower puff embroidery, its barely-there sheer sleeves and the delicately stitching on the other gauzey layer of softness, it would be hard to love this dress more, especially for Eloise's bookworm character.
No. 3
At the end of the day, we can barely stop gazing at most of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel)'s wardrobe, including this intense combination of blues, textures and embellishments. Keep reading for a full-length look…
_
Here's another look at Queen Charlotte in her all her over-the-top fabulousness, pictured here with Lady Violet Bridgerton, Lady Agatha Danbury, Francesca Bridgerton and Lord Samadani.
No. 2
There's something majestic about the floating floral bits and pieces lightly topping off this sunny frock for our season 3 star, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). It doesn't hurt that the colors on the top seem made for her alabaster complexion. Gentle readers, do we have a winner?!
No: 1
Penelope Featherington, is that you? Nicola Coughlan, seen here with her onscreen love interest Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), gets a major boost in her glam quotient with this sea foam gown. From the sunrise stitching on the bodice to the light-as-air cap sleeves to the increasingly elaborate and sparkly bottom, we are 100 percent on this unexpected look for Penelope. No wonder Colin can't help but stare!
