The third season of Bridgerton is full of twists and turns, and one of the most exciting changes is Penelope Featherington’s new look, which she shows off in the very first episode, and which has a much deeper meaning than just clothing. Over the past two seasons, Penelope has been a supporting character, but one that plays a very important role as Lady Whistledown. Despite this, the ton has never appreciated Pen the way she deserves, and when she decides that it’s time to find a husband, she does everything in her power to change their minds.

First and foremost, it is important to unpack Penelope’s wardrobe transformation. During Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2, Penelope and the Featherington family often wore bright, citrus-themed colors. It was not uncommon to see Penelope in the corner wearing a vivid yellow dress with hot pink accents, and her hair in various tiny curls atop her head. The look was arguably aggressive and unflattering. However, in season 3, Pen trades in her festive yellows, oranges, and pinks for a more subdued and lovely sets of blues, greens, and purples. Her hair falls in waves, and she is never washed out.

Penelope Wearing More Blue In Bridgerton Season 3 Sets Up Her Becoming A Bridgerton

Blue is notably the Bridgertons’ color

While Penelope’s change into wearing blue may seem like a simple process, meant only to make her look better, the Bridgerton costumes have an important meaning. Since Bridgerton season 1, blue has always been the color of the Bridgerton family. Though there is more flexibility among the men, the Bridgerton women almost always wear some form of blue, whether it is a light sky blue or a deep midnight blue. The trend began with Daphne and has continued onto Eloise and Violet. Now, Penelope dons the color, and that is saying something.

Ultimately, the fact that Penelope is wearing Bridgerton blue in season 3 is symbolic of her destiny.

Although Pen herself has no clue that Colin could love her back, the audience knows that her and the third-eldest Bridgerton will fall in love. And therefore, we know that Penelope is fated to become a Bridgerton herself. In season 3, episode 4, when Colin spontaneously proposes to Penelope, she fits right in with the Bridgertons immediately, because she is donning their color. In this way, her change is symbolic, not just based on a color scheme.

Penelope Wearing Blue Also Reflects Her Status In Bridgerton Now

Penelope has more agency

Image via Netflix

Furthermore, the simple fact that Penelope went and changed her wardrobe also says a lot about her character in the current Bridgerton season. Now that she is in her third year on the marriage mart, Penelope could lightly be considered a spinster. Though she still lives under her mother’s rule, she is old enough to marry and make her own decisions. This is where changing her wardrobe comes in. Penelope’s decision to change her clothes without her mother’s approval shows her newfound spinster status in Bridgerton season 3. It is both controversial and exciting in this way.

On a lighter note, Penelope’s outfit change also reflects her state of mind. Over the years, Penelope has been characterized as a wallflower. Despite the scathing rumors she writes in Lady Whistledown, in person she is very shy and fumbles with her words. However, when she decides to change her clothing in Bridgerton season 3, Pen is making a statement. She is taking control of her own life and declaring that she deserves to be seen by the ton. Overall, it is a power move for her that high society simply cannot ignore.

Penelope’s Dresses Have Always Had A Deeper Meaning

Yellow represented the old Penelope

Although Penelope’s sudden wardrobe transformation is a good time to consider what her clothing represents in Bridgerton, this is not the first time the show has conveyed ideas through clothing. In fact, Penelope’s clothing has said a lot about her for all three seasons. Although Penelope has often been vocal about her dislike for yellow, in the real Regency Era, yellow was quite a fashionable color. Furthermore, yellow has long represented deceit and envy, which is symbolic of her secret Lady Whistledown identity. In this way, her move away from yellow may also symbolize the coming out of her secret.

In the end, Penelope has already grown immensely during the first six episodes of Bridgerton. Her wardrobe change was just the beginning of an amazing development for her character, and hopefully, the second half of the season will bring just as much change. Though Pen has found her confidence and her true love, she must now take accountability for her lies and secrets, and be truthful about where her passions truly lie. By doing this, Bridgerton season 3 will come to a satisfying conclusion.