Emma Joan

Hey dolls,

I wanted to talk about a T.V show I’ve been watching. However not really about the T.V show itself but the costumes worn in the show.  The show is CWs new programme Reign. Reign is based on the younger years of Queen Mary of Scots, focusing on her years in France. I love period dramas (it comes with the History student territory) so this show is right up my street. When I first started to watch it, the one thing that came to my attention is the incredible costumes worn in it, especially the ones that Mary wears. Trust me there to die.

However, strangely enough I see many people criticizing the costumes saying that they do not conform to the correct time period. Ok so yeah you are right they would not be the typical 16^th century run of the mill clothing, that a high-born lady would prance around in, but that is not a good reason to diss the show.  I mean do you really think that the show is a true account of what happened between Mary and Francis! Ehh no sorry to burst your bubble but that is not what happened. In addition, before you say anything about that aspect no period drama shows a true account of what happens in history. I mean BBCs the White Queen for example Elizabeth was not a witch and the Tudors well... I do not think Henry and Ann had this incredible romantic love affair, so let us just leave it at that!  Regardless of all that, it is an incredible show with a gripping plot.

Anyways my mini rant aside I want to get back to the costumes. Rather than the strictures of 16^th century court wear, with stiff frills and angular silhouettes, the costumes are an artistic blend of modern and period. There like something a modern day princess would wear with an old style twist. That is exactly the idea that they are going for, reign is not geared towards the typical person who would normally watch period dramas. However, they aim for the mass of the younger generation, and they manage that extremely well. Think Game of Thrones meets Gossip Girl/90210.  I for one do not think that the costumes are too far-fetched from medieval time though. I do believe that the costume designers put in a great amount of effort to make the outfits have that ‘medieval’ type look while still making it look fresh and modern.

On another note, the men’s costumes are incredibly well done. I like the fact that they wear trousers instead of tights, because quite frankly I do not fancy watching men run round in a pair of tights. That being said all the guys in the show are easy on the eyes so you could dress them in anything and you’d still watch it! Just have them naked even sure why not, a lot would prefer it that way I am sure!

I thought I would share some of my favourite looks from the show and a couple of portraits from the 16^th century so you can see the differences and similarities :