I have wanted to do a deep-dive review of Daniel Deronda (2002) because it’s an interesting story that’s well acted and has AMAZE-BALLS early 1870s costumes. But there are so many of those amaze-balls costumes that I’ve been daunted! I finally decided to get off my butt and do this, but the only way I’m going to be able to do it is to split things up into each of the four episodes, because there are Just That Many Costumes and they are almost all That Fabulous.
Yay, we are back to the shiny!
Redheaded friend has a boringly colored dress but I love the fringed skirting.
Gwendolen’s hair continues to rock, and the ruched neckline trim is great.
Sadly the only full shots of this dress are from far away. I love that she’s doing the sideways lean sit that’s proper for a bustle.
A dumpy rando still gets great details on her collar/sleeve/sash.
A red evening gown with great pleated trim. There’s a whole power struggle over which necklace she will wear.
A great line up for the grand march, although I question the old-fashioned 1860s look on the far left.
I wish I could see more of the green dress on the left, it looks like it has some great detailing. Also that actress is a minor character in everything!
Back to Gwendolen. Dim lighting made it hard to get good shots of this dress.
The pleated trim is echoed on the sleeve.
Mirah continues to wear dark, slightly dated dresses. At least this one has a subtle stripe!
Figured purple taffeta with black trim. This is only on screen for a moment.
I think it will be worn again, because here’s a promo pic where you can see it a bit better.
A dream sequence, suddenly Greta Scacchi’s character is looking more 1860s than ’70s, although cute hat!!
Mirah performs for an elegant party and gets to dress up! Sadly this is all we get to see, but check out the hair comb and THAT NECKLACE. Also I love the sheer black tucker!
A bitchy older lady gets some very Indian-looking bling … But that pleated neckline trim!!
Gwendolen rewears her green evening dress from the last episode.
Another rando with AMAZING hair!
And I’m sad to say this show now falls prey to corset chafing (no chemise). WHY? Why is this such a trope??
Strap in, because this is one of my favorite dresses of all time. THE STRIPES, the darker velvet accent on the collar and buttons and cuffs! The white chemisette layering!!!
Her hair, with that gorgeous silver accent!
The drama of the skirt drape!
The hat!! The velvet ribbon, which trails down her back!
SOOOO GOOD
I love it so much, I made my own version, although with a striped skirt because you can never have enough stripes!
Stay tuned next week for the final episode!
Argh on the red gown, too.
Thanks again for the deep dive of an amazing costumed series.
I love your version of the stripes! (You’re right- you can never have too many stripes!)
Yay money
shotstripes!That minor actress was also in Anna & the King, I believe. No idea of her name.
Is the rando with amazing hair the lady in the crinoline on the left of the polonaise line-up? That looks like a big lace bertha, and a similar green under it.
I can just about get the idea that this lady is old enough to have stopped updating her look. That may not have been a thing in the late 19th century as it had been in previous generations, but even if so, I think it’s forgivable.
And yes, the corset-next-the-skin trope – yech! But the fact that these actresses must really suffer in those scenes apparently doesn’t cause anyone to wonder ‘if wearing a corset next the skin is that painful, perhaps they just didn’t do it?’ Instead, the actresses just give interviews telling everyone how uncomfortable period costumes were, but that they were willing to suffer for the sake of giving the public true authenticity!
Your gown is lovely!
I love this miniseries so much, mostly for the costumes!