![1995 Sense & Sensibility](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1995-SS1.jpg?fit=800%2C536&ssl=1)
Well, we’re exhausted around here from Snark Week, so to make getting back to the grind slightly less painful, I offer you a Man Candy Monday round up of some fiiiiine examples of one of my favorite trends in historical menswear: Big Regency Collars. I thought about including Edwardian too, but realized that’s a different look/thing for me, and I want to save that for another time. Okay, some late 18th century and early-mid-Victorian ones slipped in.
There’s just SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I can’t put my finger on it, but if the guy looks like he can’t swallow or turn his head, I’m just all “rrrrRRRRRrrrr.”
Without further ado, and sadly without too much content because all I’m doing is panting, I give you:
![Pride & Prejudice (1980)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1980-PP.jpg?resize=533%2C800&ssl=1)
![Anthony Andrews, Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/AnthonyAndrews-1982-ScarletPimpernel2.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
![Anthony Andrews, Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/AnthonyAndrews-1982-ScarletPimpernel1.jpg?resize=460%2C600&ssl=1)
![The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Leslie-Howard_ScarletPimpernel1-600x801.jpg?resize=600%2C801&ssl=1)
![Rufus Sewell, Middlemarch](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/rufussewell-Middlemarch2.jpg?resize=600%2C450&ssl=1)
![Middlemarch (1994)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Middlemarch-1994-Ladislaw.jpg?resize=425%2C600&ssl=1)
![Rufus Sewell, Middlemarch](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/rufussewell-Middlemarch1.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
![1995 Pride and Prejudice](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/1995-Pride-and-Prejudice.jpg?resize=476%2C800&ssl=1)
![Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice (1995)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1995-PridePrejudice.jpg?resize=475%2C600&ssl=1)
![Pride and Prejudice (1995)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/972841872.jpg?resize=640%2C695&ssl=1)
![Pride and Prejudice (1995)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/554766988.jpg?resize=640%2C424&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/01da309cdbcc4abd1325dba8128d1016-703x1024.jpg?resize=600%2C874&ssl=1)
![Colin Firth in "Pride & Prejudice," 1995](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/colin-firth-as-mr-darcy-in-pride-and-prejudice-bbc-adaptation-1995-1024x601.jpg?resize=600%2C352&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1996-Sense-and-Sensibility1.jpg?resize=531%2C800&ssl=1)
![1995 Sense & Sensibility](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1995-SS.jpg?resize=600%2C416&ssl=1)
![1995 Sense & Sensibility](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1995-SS2.jpg?resize=600%2C401&ssl=1)
![Emma (1996)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/de70aa9ec7f5d158d7c6fcf737de5dad.jpg?resize=600%2C438&ssl=1)
![Emma (1996)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/88d39a42e37579c8b78d56a38d904a5b-jeremy-northam-emma-by-jane-austen.jpg?resize=461%2C700&ssl=1)
![1996 Emma](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/1996-Emma3.jpg?resize=419%2C419&ssl=1)
![Richard Armitage, North and South (2004)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RichardArmitage-preview-600x415.jpg?resize=600%2C415&ssl=1)
![Richard Armitage, North and South (2004)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RichardArmitage-2005NorthSouth10-600x338.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
![Richard Armitage, North and South (2004)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/RichardArmitage-2005NorthSouth8.jpg?resize=398%2C600&ssl=1)
![2004 Vanity Fair](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2004-Vanity-Fair1.jpeg?resize=600%2C399&ssl=1)
![Vanity Fair (2004)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2004-Vanity-Fair1.jpg?resize=640%2C424&ssl=1)
![2005 Pride & Prejudice](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2005-PP.jpg?resize=600%2C402&ssl=1)
![2005 Pride & Prejudice](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2005-PP1.jpg?resize=600%2C393&ssl=1)
![2006 Amazing Grace](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2006-Amazing-Grace.jpg?resize=600%2C324&ssl=1)
![Amazing Grace (2006)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Benedict-Cumberbatch-Amazing-Grace.jpg?resize=500%2C562&ssl=1)
![2006 Beau Brummell- This Charming Man](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/2006-Beau-Brummell-This-Charming-Man.jpeg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
![This Charming Man: Beau Brummell (2008)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/This-Charming-Man-Beau-Brummell2.jpg?resize=445%2C600&ssl=1)
![This Charming Man: Beau Brummell (2008)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/This-Charming-Man-Beau-Brummell3.jpg?resize=445%2C600&ssl=1)
![2007 Becoming Jane](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2007-Becoming-Jane.jpg?resize=535%2C800&ssl=1)
![2007 Becoming Jane](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2007-Becoming-Jane1.jpg?resize=600%2C401&ssl=1)
![Tom Hiddleston, Miss Austen Regrets (2008)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/TomHiddleston-2008-MissAustenRegrets.jpg?resize=500%2C500&ssl=1)
![Lost in Austen (2008)](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/311680_361729133898107_463360359_n_0.jpg?resize=321%2C482&ssl=1)
![2007 War & Peace](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2007-War-Peace1.jpeg?resize=414%2C500&ssl=1)
![2007 War & Peace](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2007-War-Peace14.jpeg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
![2008 Sense & Sensibility](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2008-SS.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
![2008 The Duchess](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2008-The-Duchess1.jpg?resize=500%2C677&ssl=1)
![2011 Great Expectations](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2011-Great-Expectations2-600x796.jpg?resize=600%2C796&ssl=1)
![2013 Death Comes to Pemberley](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2013-Death-Comes-to-Pemberley5.jpeg?resize=333%2C500&ssl=1)
![2012 Les Miserables](https://i0.wp.com/frockflicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2012-Les-Miserables.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1)
Is there anything hotter than Big Regency Collars on men? Discuss!
But what I really love in some of the earlier versions are those padded shoulders! Yeah. Right. The thing about Brummel was “quiet good taste.” He preferred simple and well executed to fancy and over-adorned.
A friend once described Colin Firth as “the thinking woman’s crumpet.” Yes, please.
Perfect!
If you need more Ioan Gruffudd high collar action (and who doesn’t, really?) there’s always the Hornblower series. Those made me feel feelings.
Ooo yes!
My cat LOVES Hornblower. Adores him. I’m not allowed to fidget while it’s on, or she gets very cross. However, she hates Sharpe which I just can’t figure out.
Mmm… Captain Wentworth… drool
For reals!
Ioan Gruffudd had some pretty hot collar action in Horatio Hornblower, too!
My favorite MCM ever! Thank you for the effort and all the great photos!
thank you…your mcm never disappoints
Mmmm. A post that starts with David Rintoul’s Mr. Darcy and Anthony Andrews’ Sir Percy Then Ciaran Hinds as Captain Wentworth — be still my heart. As Marliese suggested, Ioan Gryffudd as Horatio Hornblower is also worthy of this company.
I think if James Purefoy had ever played Mr. Darcy the universe would have just exploded from the sheer sexiness of it all.
YES. Ditto Richard Armitage.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Looking at all those high collars, I can’t help but wonder if it’s even possible to slouch in one. Good posture does improve appearance.
My other half assures you that no, it’s not possible to slouch. But it’s not only the collars: it’s the cut of the coat, with the armscye right high up into the armpit.
In a properly cut Regency coat, if you stand and move as a gentleman should the thing can be absolutely skin tight (both of my beloved’s red coats are so tight that after fighting a battle on a hot day he can’t actually get his coat off till he has cooled down and the coat dried off a bit) and still it is not only comfortable, but you can execute the entire range of sword moves without it restricting you at all.
If on the other hand you insist on standing like a chimpanzee, the coat will be crucifyingly uncomfortable.
“There’s just SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I can’t put my finger on it, but if the guy looks like he can’t swallow or turn his head, I’m just all “rrrrRRRRRrrrr.”
Dang. That description makes Big Regency Collars sound like the “gateway drug” to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posture_collar
and:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neck_corset
;-)
I may have had to fan myself a couple of times while scrolling through this post.
I feel like there’s a Baby Got Back parody in here, my brain just hasn’t evolved enough to write it.
Oh my paws and whiskers! It really IS something isn’t it! I was going to suggest that Alan Rickman should be in this but checked him out in S&S and really, he is at his best with his shirt undone so I forgive you lolz.
SO MANY HOTTIES. Maybe it’s because they would have to look you in the eye not randomly gaze at something to the left, or the idea that any man would willingly wear something uncomfortable for fashion that levels the playing field of empathy. Intriguing!
If I might suggest another. Christopher Plummer as the Duke of Wellington in Waterloo.
Thank you! My era in historical costuming! (Yep, the collar prevents slouching. No wonder you look insufferably proud.)
I just slipped in my own pile of drool and concussed myself and now all I can make are guttural “rawwr” noises.
Belter of a MCM (* going to need a lie down now *). Thank you for the sacrifices you make, putting these things together for us!
Mmm, so many of my darlings here. It makes me especially happy to see Rufus Sewell represented here in full romantic glory, because it feels like the world has forgotten the perfection of his Will Ladislaw since he’s been cast in so many villainous roles.
I’m still drooling since I saw this waiting for my supervisor to arrive at work and open up. I’m going to take a leaf from Catherine II and choose them all to shag (excluding JRM).
This is pretty much what I needed today. Who knew high collars make men hot? Oh wait I did! Throw in proper period sideburns and rowr!
This entire post was one extended WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF.
These are some very handsome fellows. Bring back regency collars! Actually quite a bit of good menswear in this period.
Also, I’ve seen Amazing Grace a few times. My prof spotted rubber on the shoes but otherwise lots of delightful to look at people (which is a weird thing to say about a movie with such a serious topic!).
I need no more than Leslie Howard.
sink me
This post made me check that my IUD was still in place.
BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
Wonderful post! You’ve made a lot of us happy with so many of our favourites all in the one post! I don’t know if that’s ever happened before… :)
Better them than me! I can’t stand lots fabric or anything around my neck. Northam and Armitage are delicious. Well, ok, most of this list is full of yummy treats. sighs
Oh, gosh, I see what you mean about Them Collars. But Hugh Laurie in S&S? No, his one real failure. On the other hand, “Because, Rufus Sewell.”–yes; Richard Armitage as well.
Push dat collar HIGHERRRR! Yes. It is… a Thing.
Definitely if it’s a snooty, fey piece of Fair Folk:
http://images.amcnetworks.com/bbcamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/jsmn-marc-warren-bio1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aiEr0Rt.png
http://images.amcnetworks.com/bbcamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/JSMN_107_nobug.jpg
Be he ever so clueless about relationships, still sir Walter Pole is dapper in his outfits:
https://sfbluestocking.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/vlcsnap-2015-07-26-14h11m13s249.png
Self-assured Jonathan Strange is really… well, I mean… oh my. My kind of magician:
http://images.amcnetworks.com/bbcamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/strange-howtodress.jpg
And, possibly, the smartest of them all in that series – Stephen Black
https://thevelvetonion.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/8334372-high-jonathan-strange-mr-norrell.jpg
Alas, too few good photos were found of ruggedly handsome Childermass, but… I think no one will miss it, since the post above is filled with goodies to last for a while.