It’s hard to pick my absolute favorite color, but purple is certainly right up there. I painted two of the rooms in my house purple, my hair is dyed purple, and I have purple eyeglasses, not to mention tons of purple clothes and costumes. So of course I gravitate towards purple in historical costume movies and TV shows. Here are five faves, though I’m trying not to repeat from my previous lists of Top 5 Dresses I’d Wear the Shit Out of (which includes my very favorite purple bustle gown from The Age of Innocence) or Top 5 Regency Gowns (which has both a stunning purple dress from Immortal Beloved and two purple outfits worn by Lady Danbury in Bridgerton). I’d wear any and all of these ones…
Downton Abbey (2010)
Let’s start simple with this dress worn by Sybil Crawley (Jessica Brown Findlay) in season one, episode one of Downton Abbey. The dress is actually recycled from another production, but it looks so perfect here. Sybil is sweet, fresh, tailored, ‘teens, and well coordinated with her family.
Victoria (2016)
This is my exception for the death of fashion — I love the fan-pleated bodices of the 1840s, and done here in rich purple, by costume designer James Keast, it looks elegant. Even if it’s in season one, episode three, of an otherwise boring show, worn by Jenna Coleman as Queen Victoria.
Doctor Who, “Vampires of Venice” (2010)
OK, this is more obviously my style, even if (or maybe because?) it’s less historically accurate! I love 16th-century fashion and I love vampires, so of course, I love this vampiric alien masquerading as Rosanna Calvierri (Helen McCrory) in a Venetian-themed Doctor Who episode. The gold standing ruff is recycled from Shakespeare in Love, but it appears the gown was created for this show by costume designer Ray Holman.
The Borgias (2011-13)
There may be more purple dresses in this series, with costumes designed by Gabriella Pescucci, but here are two worn by Vanozza Cattaneo (Joanne Whalley) that stand out. The first is vividly purple, and I think the damask is a purple and silver, plus the trim is probably silver — a combo I adore because it looks so sparkly and ethereal. The second one I included, even though it looks more blue onscreen, but pix of it on display show it’s a cool lilac tone. Both are stunning!
Belle (2013)
I couldn’t pick just one because this movie, with costumes designed by Anushia Nieradzik, features at least three wonderful purple dresses, and all on older characters, which I appreciate! First, there’s Elizabeth Murray, Countess of Mansfield (Emily Watson), wearing a purple gown with self-trimmings. Then Lady Mary Murray (Penelope Wilton) has a dark reddish plum gown, also with ruched self-trimming. Lastly is Lady Ashford (Miranda Richardson) in a lavender print gown trimmed in dark plum. They’re all wonderful!
What purple historical movie & TV dresses would you wear?
Purple and lavender were transitional shades for women coming out of mourning, so I’d expect to see some gorgeous Victorian dresses in those shades!
Theoretically yes, but none from movies/TV shows came to mind.
I must admit to having a weakness for purple and a particular weakness for beautiful ladies in purple – that first dress from THE BORGIAS!
Chef’s kiss –
An excellent list! Only other one I would have included is May’s purple embroidered evening dress from “Age of Innocence” swooooon
That was the first purple dress I thought of too!
As I said above, I didn’t want to repeat myself :)
These are all beautiful choices!! I would add the dress worn by Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Zoe Kravitz would look beautiful even in a burlap sack, but even so, that particular dress is gorgeous.