Each season of Bridgerton is highly anticipated not only for the season’s plot, but also its elaborate costumes. While in season three most eyes have centred on Penelope Featherington’s (Nicola Coughlan) glow-up and transformation – a plot line that effectively argues for the power of clothing – another character’s unusual accessory has caught the attention of the period drama’s fans.
Though anything is possible in the fantasy-Regency world of Bridgerton and the question of the show’s historical accuracy is by now a moot point, this season has stumbled upon a happy case of accidental accuracy.
As Eloise (Claudia Jessie) and Cressida (Jessica Madsen) promenade in the park in the first episode, Eloise’s forearms are encased in a fuzzy, lilac muff. The unusual decision to have Eloise wear a muff in high summer was made to conceal Jessie’s broken wrist. However, this sartorial twist of fate is actually true to one of the 18th century’s lesser-known accessories – the silk muff.
