Bridgerton Season 3’s Shocking Penelope Costume Change Pays Off A Huge Tease From 2 Years Ago

The Bridgerton season 3 trailer offers a tantalizing glimpse into what the next chapter in the popular period drama might contain, but one dramatic moment actually pays off a tease from earlier in the saga’s story. Bridgerton has always been full of subtle nods to future storylines. Thanks to the blueprint provided by Julia Quinn’s books, the show can use these hints to its advantage, keeping viewers already in the know on the edge of their seat while simultaneously appealing to the uninitiated. This technique is typified by the Bridgerton season 3 trailer’s biggest dramatic moment.

After a two-year gap between seasons, Bridgerton season 3 looks set to finally continue the ongoing romance between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan). Throughout the two previous seasons, the pair’s complicated relationship has taken a backseat as the series instead focused on the trials and tribulations of Bridgerton siblings Daphne and Anthony. However, Bridgerton season 3 will put the pair front and center, with one foreshadowed dramatic moment embodying the change between the two characters.

Penelope’s Green Dress In Bridgerton Season 3 Is A Huge Character Change

Although the Bridgerton season 3 trailer is full of the furtive glances and pregnant pauses that make the show so enjoyable, its most explosive moment comes when Penelope emerges at a ball wearing a striking green dress. As she casts off a shawl, the dress commands the room’s attention – with Colin taking particular note. However, beyond being a visually impactful moment, Penelope’s decision to wear the green dress actually marks a major character shift for her ahead of the upcoming season.

Like other Bridgerton characters, Penelope has hitherto been largely defined by her own unique color palette. In keeping with the rest of her family, she is usually seen wearing yellow or orange, especially on important social occasions. The decision to wear green therefore symbolizes her move away from her family and towards a life of her own. Previously, Penelope’s only escape from the claustrophobic pressures of society was via her alter ego, Lady Whistledown. The green dress development suggests a new means of breaking free – and perhaps a decision to leave behind the person she has been until now.

Penelope Wore Green In Bridgerton Season 2 – And It Set Up Her & Colin’s Romance

As demonstrated by the various characters’ reactions, Penelope’s green dress reveal is a major shock. However, the moment was already teased as far back as Bridgerton season 2, highlighting how the show often sows the seeds of future plot points well in advance. In season 2, episode 4, Penelope wore a much lighter, less formal green dress to a social gathering at Aubrey Hall, teasing the change in season 3. However, beyond providing a neat piece of foreshadowing, the decision to have Penelope wear green also presages her romance with Colin.

Throughout Bridgerton, changing colors have been used to symbolize the union of different families. In season 1, for instance, Daphne’s color scheme changed from dark blue like the rest of her family, towards more lilac tones as her relationship with Simon blossomed. This was confirmed by costume designer Sofia Canale in an interview with People (via Business Insider), where she revealed, “When you see Daphne, we pushed her into lilacs in season 1 because of the marriage of the families.” Just as it did for Daphne, Penelope’s changing colors symbolize her and Colin coming together as a couple.

Penelope’s Costume In Bridgerton Season 3 Takes On A Different Meaning

The fact that Penelope’s season 3 dress is a more dramatic statement demonstrates how her and Colin’s relationship will play a more central role than in the previous series. However, there are other meanings behind the major costume change. As the trailer makes clear, Penelope will attract attention from suitors in addition to Colin – the most high-profile of whom seems to be Lord Debling. In this context, the use of the color green takes on even greater significance.

Historically, green has been used as a literary device to represent jealousy. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the scheming Iago memorably called jealousy “the green-eyed monster”, while more modern writers have equated the color with money and covetousness. This all suggests that Colin’s jealousy will play a major role in Bridgerton season 3’s story, potentially impacting how his and Penelope’s relationship develops.

the green-eyed monster