"Period Glam"--Reign Fashion Inspiration
I was thinking that Fridays might be a good day to post about culture-related items (shows, movies, books, etc.) that have influenced me. So this Friday I want to talk about one of the biggest sparks of inspiration to my wardrobe (and imagination) in 2017--the television show, "Reign!"
While I have conflicting opinions about this show, I was absolutely captivated by the wardrobe. The outfits blended contemporary glam with 16th-century royalty-inspired dress.
I LOVED every single outfit that the female leads wore in this show and am slightly ashamed at the amount of time I spend pinning outfits they wore on Pinterest. But seriously--the sparkling accessories, flowing yet tailored dresses, detailed embroidery and gorgeous hairstyles and hairpieces make this show complete eye candy.
I got on the Reign bandwagon last Spring during a short-term disability leave from work where I spent three months trying to rest and heal from my Lyme Disease in hopes that I could return work as good as new. While three months off from work didn't heal me, it gave me lots of time to rest....and watch Netflix. I stumbled across Reign randomly because I saw it was a period show and I really love period pieces. After the first 15 minutes, I was completely hooked!
Before I direct my energy towards praising the glorious wardrobe of Reign, I feel compelled to share my official analysis of the series. While there was plenty about the show I didn't like, below are the positive highlights that I took away from the show.
Favorite Aspects of the Show
Though the show is VERY loosely based on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, I really appreciate how they brought Queen Mary's character to life. I love her strength, tenacity, passion for her country and fierce devotion to those she loves most. She has a softness and kindness but is also able to separate her actions from her emotions and get the job done!
In my humble opinion, what makes the show so captivating (BESIDES the amazing wardrobe) is the strong romance between Queen Mary and King Francis. (Disclaimer: I am a female and will not apologize for ranting about a fictional romance!) I believe Francis is the perfect match for a strong queen like Mary. He balances chivalry and gentleness with strength and confidence. Once they are married and coronated, he always listens to her, supports her rule in Scotland and helps her be the best queen she can be. He values her input, never belittles her and appreciates her intelligence, creativity and capability to rule France beside him. But what really makes their romance a showstopper, in my opinion, is how Francis deals with Mary when she has an affair to cope with a deep personal tragedy. Though deeply pained, he forgives her adultery, protects her from being caught and gives her space and kindness until she comes back to him on her own will. Then, since of course he had to die, he valiantly labors to protect her at the cost of his very own life. Talk about dramatic! Once Francis is killed off, the show looses its luster to me.
I also enjoy Francis' half-brother, Sebastian. The foil to Francis in many ways, he doesn't pretend to be someone he isn't. He uses his skills and cunning to serve his half-brother, King Francis, even when he doesn't get to end up with Mary. I love how they transitioned him from the "other" man in the love triangle with Mary and Francis to the loyal friend and servant of their monarchy.
I adore the strong friendships between Mary and her three ladies in waiting. They have a great bond, genuinely support each other and have lots of fun! Lola is my favorite of Mary's ladies because she is exactly what I would want in a friend. She isn't perfect, but she has a loyal heart that leads her to even die in service to her queen and friend, Mary.
Oh, and lest I forget to mention, Queen Catherine (played by the talented Megan Follows) is absolutely HILARIOUS (though insane) and her witty lines give levity to the show.
Well, there you have my five-bullet highlight reel of what I love about "Reign" (because you really needed to know). Now I can show you the amazing costumes that make this show so mesmerizing!
o there you have a SMALL handful of some of my favorite outfits featured on the show. While I (unfortunately) don't walk around like a 16th-century queen every day, I do like to incorporate small aspects of this "period glam" into my wardrobe. A simple way to do this is to add statement earrings and sparkling headbands to my outfits! Fortunately, statement earrings just happen to be in style again, so one can find them in many places now. One of my favorite pairs of earrings is a simple pair of crystal chandelier earrings that go with almost anything I wear and add light and sparkle to my face. I also have a pair of long, gold statement earrings that complement many tops or dresses and pair well with other gold jewelry.
As for actual clothing, I love to wear lots of flowing dresses (long or short), especially in spring and summer months. I want to start incorporating interesting belts into my dresses, like Mary does in so many outfits, to create a more tailored look. Another way I have channeled Reign glamour into my getup is through sometimes adding little braids in my hair, usually clipped around my face. It's a super easy way to create a whimsical, feminine look!
For anybody interested in having a conversation, I would love to hear your thoughts about Reign, these amazing outfits or any significant tv show/movie that has influenced your style!
(Disclaimer: ALL images are taken from Pinterest and I do not own rights to any)