The Tiny Daphne Detail That Has Bridgerton Fans Divided
You should be excited for Netflix's Bridgerton. The buzzy new series based on the novels by Julia Quinn has solidified itself as a new point of cultural fascination. Filmed across England, it transports its audience back to a different time: the early 19th century, when the high society families of the British Regency period still wore outfits that took half an hour to put on. Lords and ladies of the upper crust rub elbows against a backdrop that's almost alien in its gilded splendor.
Reviews, in large part, have been kind – Rotten Tomatoes calculates a 92% critical approval rating, with an 87% audience score to boot. Their consensus: "Sumptuous design, soapy drama, and a sterling cast make Bridgerton a delightful treat." But there's no such thing as universal acclaim, and even the most beloved of stories can lay claim to notable imperfections. Often, they are glaring flaws – The Empire Strikes Back might be a masterpiece, but it does feature siblings going to mouth town on one another. In many cases, historical dramas find themselves in the unenviable position of presenting uncomfortable truths about the state of society at the point in time depicted.
In the case of Bridgerton, it is neither secret siblings nor history itself that tarnishes the series' reputation. It is, at least according to the frequenters of Reddit's /r/BridgertonNetflix forum, a sin far more mortal — a blemish in worldbuilding from which the otherwise delightful program may struggle to recover. Difficult though it is to describe, the issue is perhaps summed up best by the original user, who put it plainly, positing "Ok it's a really petty concern but ... was anyone else bothered by Daphne's micro fringe?"
Daphne Bridgerton's bangs have regrettably been totes burnt
Yes, the micro fringe, perhaps better known as "baby bangs" or "that look you thought you could pull off for a second before realizing you'd made a terrible mistake." This, according to some vocal fans of the series, was the Achilles' heel of Bridgerton's watchability. "It actually took over some of the scenes for me, making them less enjoyable than say if her hair was styled differently," the author of the post in question stated. "It also looked like fake hair in some of the scenes, dry and brittle and kind of just smacked on like a pretend moustache but on the forehead (lol)."
One reader took slight umbrage at the slight against the honor of Daphne's forehead accoutrements, retorting, "I actually like the hairstyle myself. Sure, it's not in style anymore and doesn't fit every face shape but it fits into the early 1800s (although it was curly more often than not). And I think maybe it's made to look a bit childish to reflect Daphne's innocence and ignorance?" Another user, echoing regard for historically accurate cosmetology, wrote, "I read somewhere that it was a popular aspect of hair in the early 1800s and if you Google it, quite a few pictures include those mini-bangs or fringe. Personally though — I agree! Glad it is not in style anymore!"
A scandal worthy of the Featheringtons? Perhaps not. But a welcome reminder to be really, really sure before you make a bold haircut decision.