Season two of Bridgerton is now streaming on Netflix, and it’s even better than season one! While the first season focused on the love affair between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Bassett, Duke of Hastings, season two tells the story of Daphne’s big brother, Anthony, who must choose between the sweet and gentle Edwina Sharma and her thorny, older sister, Kate. The story has lots of twists, turns, and surprises, but today, we’re going to dive into something just as important. Nay, more important to the story-telling of this show. Something so crucial to Bridgerton, and honestly, all of TV, that the medium simply could not exist otherwise. That’s right. We’re going to rank all of Queen Charlotte’s amazing wigs.
Regency Fashion in Bridgerton
One of the most fun aspects of Bridgerton is the costuming. Bridgerton takes place in the regency period of England, during which the huge, opulent gowns and powdered wigs of the 18th century suddenly gave way to simpler empire-waisted dresses—which became the signature look of the era. However, Bridgerton shows the two fashion sensibilities existing side by side, with most of the ladies of the ton wearing empire waits and simple hairstyles, but some still sporting the 18th-century look. It’s notable that Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), being royalty instead of mere aristocracy, has opted to keep a more opulent and old-fashioned style. This visual difference heightens the sense of conflict in her ongoing efforts to control the unruly ton and sniff out the identity of Lady Whistledown.
The queen’s style means, of course, a variety of lavish powdered wigs. Bridgerton season one established Queen Charlotte’s wigs as legendary. In a 2021 interview with Glamour, Rosheuvel said that, “Every single scene that I am in, I have a different wig and a different dress.” Her wig for one scene was even spliced together from two wigs. “It’s a wig on top of the wig,” she said. “And then three feathers, which are real hair and crafted by hand.”
As if the drama onscreen wasn’t enough, the wigs in season one led to some tension off-screen. In an interview with Insider, Rosheuvel said that one wig heated up so much that it felt like it was “burning” her scalp, and she needed to put metal combs inside it to cool herself down. “I was like, ‘it’s burning, it’s burning!’,” she said. “And then I just grabbed this thing off of Adam and then I just pushed it in. Because it’s made of metal, it’s cold. So I was like, ‘Get me one of those!'”
We thank you, Rosheuvel, for your hard work and sacrifice in helping to bring us these amazing creations! And now, without further adieu, the wigs.
13. The Wedding Wig
To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of this wig. Each component part is gorgeous, with various diamonds nestled in amongst large pin curls, but overall, the wig doesn’t have enough of a definable shape to it for me to really love it. It looks like a nebulous, awkwardly-balanced mass on her head that might tip over at any second. I was worried for her safety!
Of course, it’s still amazing, since all of Queen Charlotte’s wigs are amazing. Let’s face it, her very worst is better than anyone else’s very best, and we’re just going to have to live with it.
12. The Lucille Ball
This is another wig where I can appreciate the artistry, but it just didn’t work for me. Although many of her wigs are shaped like bouffants, the bangs on this wig give it a 60’s housewife vibe that just isn’t as flattering. The tiara and jewels are nice touches, but they don’t redeem this look for me.
11. Pink Ribbons
This wig is perfectly nice. The powder has the very faintest tinge of pink to it, and that color is brought out more by the cinched ribbon running in a zigzag up the side. Although there are no visible pearls in the wig itself, the pearls around Queen Charlotte’s neck are pink—which does pull the whole look together. Overall, there’s nothing showstopping about this wig, but it’s elegant.
10. Tribute to Aphrodite
The theme of this ensemble is seafoam, apparently, and I’m here for it. Queen Charlotte is wearing a wig that’s been dyed to match her dress and it just screams, ‘Under the Sea’ vibes to me. And to heighten the association with the ocean, the wig has pearls strung across the front and sides. The feather on the back and the single lock hung over her shoulder are also nice touches. The one problem with this wig is that if you look at it too long, it starts to look like Marge Simpson’s hair, but that’s only if you’re ruthlessly scrutinizing it. I’m sorry if I put the idea into your head. Forget I said anything!
9. Rubies and Curls
Sometimes, I have to imagine Queen Charlotte needs to give her neck a rest, so she goes for a simpler look. This wig is really classy, focusing mainly on pin curls, and although it’s not the most eye-catching of all her wigs, I think it’s a really nice look for going about her day. This casual wig says, “Stars: they’re just like us!” While the row of rubies, swooping across her head (which match her earrings and necklace), reminds us that the queen is, most certainly, not like us.
8. Bedazzled
Here, Queen Charlotte goes for a more natural look, while still making sure she has the volume and bling of her other wigs. I absolutely adore the brooches in this wig. They’re more complex than some of her other jewels, each with a central gem surrounded by beads and filigree, and the color scheme is gorgeous on her. As always, the jewels in her hair match her other jewelry. I should just stop even mentioning it.
7. Crown on a Cloud
This wig is so ethereal! So classy! So shiny! Here, the hair in the wig has been supplemented by strands of feathers, making it hard to tell where the wig begins and the ornaments end. There’s also some netting in the front, giving the wig some structure and visual focus, along with a single row of pin curls down the side. To top it off, her tiara sits front and center so that you don’t forget who’s boss. I love the way this wig looks with the epaulets on her dress. Feminine and regal.
6. The Wave
This wig is a lot of fun. Large curls are interspersed with white roses, creating a similar effect to the previous wig, which takes the concept of a powdered wig and mixes it up a bit. Also, like the previous wig, Queen Charlotte’s crown is clearly visible, nestled inside her hair. This wig looks unbalanced but in a purposeful way. Like you better be careful not to get on her bad side, she’s a loose cannon. Her hair alone could kill you with a glance.
5. A Muted Arrangement
On one level, this wig looks like the type of flower arrangement you might find in Michael’s. The hair color is a sort of nondescript beige, studded with fabric flowers with some blond curls thrown in. Weirdly, I can’t find one positive thing to say about the individual elements in this wig, yet, when you put them all together, they just work. Bridgerton is known for its almost blindingly bright pastels, so the more dusty tones of the colors in this wig, complementing the queen’s dress, stand out in contrast.
4. Understated Ombre
I know this isn’t the flashiest wig in season two, but the more I look at it, the more I fall in love. I love the gentle ombre from her roots to the top of the wig, the effect of which is heightened by the gentle waves in her hair. I’ll never get tired of a lock or two draped over a graceful neck. The jewels in this wig are beautiful too, powder blue stones set in delicate gold brooches. As always, the wig matches the rest of her ensemble.
3. Peacock Feathers!
Any wig that involves peacock feathers automatically has my love. This wig guides your eye from Queen Charlotte’s face up to the swoop of red hair, then focuses you in on the two large, jewel-studded bows on the front and side, and finally, the feathers in a row in the very back. It’s playful and elegant at the same time.
2. The Season 1 Callback
One of Queen Charlotte’s most stunning wigs in season one was the afro, and the style makes an appearance again. And I love this look as much as I did the first time around. The series was already groundbreaking in its reimagining of British history to allow for more diversity, and the afro wig made that explicit by celebrating Black hair. It’s nice to get an homage to season one’s wig, even if this one is more understated. The tiny pearls on the side are a nice touch, though, and pairing this wig with a large jeweled necklace ties everything together.
1. The Wig That Has My Heart
This wig took my breath away! It’s incredibly detailed, with curls of different sizes nestled against roses, a pearl tiara, and jewels popped in here and there like Easter eggs. The color variations among all the different elements of the wig are subtle, but it’s like looking at a painting—with lots of muted pinks, purples, and whites blended together seamlessly, creating a visual effect that’s complex without being overwhelming. Best of all, the whole wig is shaped like a giant heart! What a perfect wig for the ethereal yet complicated romance series that is Bridgerton.
What’s your favorite of Queen Charlotte’s wigs? Let us know in the comments, and in the meantime, check out season two of Bridgerton, which is now streaming on Netflix!
(image: Netflix)
Published: Mar 29, 2022 08:31 pm