Somebody in British costume-making has a thing for one particular collar style. I’m calling it a “falling collar,” if you’ve got a better name for it, let me know! But this particular style of folded collar keeps coming up in late 18th century-set films and TV shows, including Poldark, Love and Friendship, and The Scandalous Lady W.
Now, I think it’s a pretty design element! But it’s one I’ve never seen in the period, in either extant garments, fashion plates, or portraits, so I’d be VERY interested to know if anyone has seen it before. And it Just Keeps Coming Up!
I first noted it when watching The Scandalous Lady W (2015), when I, 1) admired Natalie Dormer‘s fabulous stripey redingote, and 2) thought she was rewearing the same dress as worn by Harriet Ballard in Poldark and Lyndsey Marshal in Garrow’s Law:
Natalie Dormer as Seymour Dorothy Fleming, Lady Worsley wearing a fabulous striped redingote with folded? falling? collar. Costumes designed by James Keast.
I thought “Hey, that reminds me of Ruth’s jacket in Poldark (2015- )!” Season one costumes designed by Marianne Agertoft.
So I looked on RecycledMovieCostumes.com, as one does, and saw what looked like the same thing worn by Lyndsey Marshal on Garrow’s Law (2009-11)! Costumes designed by Andrea Galer.
And RecycledMoveiCostumes noted it was also worn by Maria Gale in the small part of Mrs. Younge in Death Comes to Pemberley (2013)! Costumes designed by Marianne Agertoft.
Then we were incredibly chuffed, to use the British term, to have The Scandalous Lady W‘s costume designer — the faaaabulous James Keast — pop up in the comments of our review to sort us out:
I would like to let you all know that the striped moire costume Lady W wears in the courtroom is NOT the same as the costume in Poldark or Gallows Law [he means Garrow’s Law], it was made especially for Natalie for the courtroom scenes, The fabric is from the same company but a different colour, The hat was made especially to match the hat. (I will say the costume maker also made the other costume for Gallows Law).
SO! Different garments — I originally thought the Poldark dress was a jacket, but now I’m not so sure:
I’m having a hard time spotting the color difference versus The Scandalous Lady W — maybe it’s slightly darker?
THEN, I started spotting the collar on totally different costumes! Like on another, solid redingote on Garrow’s Law:
I’d call that navy, wouldn’t you?
With a stripey petticoat.
And then remembered there’s ANOTHER redingote-type costume with the same collar style in The Scandalous Lady W:
Pale blue with a pink lining!
And then I discovered this had been reworn by Chloe Sevigny as Alicia in Love and Friendship:
Costumes designed by Eimer ni Mhaoldomhnaigh.
And on Poldark, by Heida Reed as Elizabeth:
So, what I want to know is, who is the costume maker out there that is in love with this collar, and do they have a period source? Are there any other examples of this collar style out there in movies or TV?
And, since this is a Who Wore It Best post, let us answer the incredibly vital question:
UPDATE!
Someone on FB reminded me that Lily James wears a redingote with this collar as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice & Zombies! Costumes designed by Julian Day.
Natalie Dormer wears anything better than anyone else, IMHO.
I feel a smack-down between Natalie Dormer and Romola Garai coming…
I love Romola Garai but I cannot remember her in any Tudor/Renaissance piece and I feel she was the perfect Gwendolyn Harcourt.
Oh, I hope there is a period source, because I really like the falling collar. :-)
It’s 100% a thing. I work in a costume shop and we’re all on the hunt for where we have seen it!
ooh report back please!
It’s so distinctive that when I saw it in an historical film, it made the film seem more historical and accurate. So if we discover that it’s a modern invention, I’m going to feel dumb.
The two-tone pink and blue number also pops up in Garrow’s Law
The only thing I know of referred to as a Falling Collar or Falling Band is the white linen detachable collars from the 16th-17th century that one associated decorated or not depending on one’s status or religious position. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/222474 https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130591/falling-collar-unknown/
It may instead be a “cascade collar” type https://www.designersnexus.com/fashion-design-portfolio/cascade-collar-ruffle-hem-blazer-v24-illustrator-flat-fashion-sketch-template/
And none of those are 18th-c. fashion things, alas!
FYI, I made up the term “falling collar”! I don’t mean I invented it, just, I randomly decided to call this style that.
I wonder, if it’s not a period thing for the fashions, if it is inspired by some curtains seen in the 18thc (and in use to this day). I’m sure they have a name. Carefully folded into usually 3 folds
, sewn, and draped over the sides of windows in a fashion similar to those collars.
It also reminds me of the skirt back drape on Mina’s green bustle dress in Dracula:
I never noticed this until you pointed it out. I think it is a stylized modern take on the riding coat look. This was the closest portrait that I could find that kind of looks like…but not really.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-squires-door-george-morland.html
Another example of collar that is close but not quite.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/charlotte-mrs-thomas-raikes-george-romney.html
Yeah, both of those are typical collars where the fabric has a fold over from the bodice. It may have an additional layer added on top, but it’s not the waterfall ruffly thing these movie/TV ones do. Different cut!