Throughout Bridgerton, there has been a very subtle foreshadowing detail regarding Penelope’s clothing that, now in season 3, finally makes more sense. Since the first season of Bridgerton, Penelope Featherington has been an important member of the Bridgerton cast. Even before her identity as Lady Whistledown was revealed at the end of Bridgerton season 1, she stood out as Eloise’s best friend and as an unfortunate soul, forced to wear bright colors alongside her greedy mother and sisters. However, Bridgerton season 3 has given Pen her true time to shine, and her physical transformation has played a huge part in this.
During the first episode of Bridgerton season 3, Penelope gets a makeover, and this ends up being one of the best moments of Bridgerton season 3. In the past, Pen always donned dresses in vivid citrus colors with her hair piled atop her head in aggressive ringlets, and this look never attracted many suitors. However, when Penelope realizes she wants a husband, she trades out her usual look for something far more elegant. In season 3, she wears dresses of Bridgerton blue, and stuns the ton with her beauty, which Bridgerton happened to be hinting at via one small detail.
How Bridgerton Season 2’s Butterfly Necklace Foreshadowed Penelope’s Transformation
Penelope Was A Soon-To-Be Butterfly
In Bridgerton season 2, episode 1, Penelope Featherington is seen wearing a butterfly necklace, and though it seemed innocuous at the time, it turns out this small piece of jewelry had a much bigger meaning behind it. In fact, the butterfly has long been a part of Penelope’s look, going all the way back to Bridgerton season 1. Altogether, these details culminate in the idea that, although audiences didn’t know it yet, Penelope was the butterfly all along. It just wasn’t until season 3 that this idea finally became clear.
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During the first two seasons, she remained in her caterpillar phase, often overlooked by the ton and by Colin specifically. However, by season 3, she has reached a point of metamorphosis.
The butterfly is the perfect symbol of Penelope’s Bridgerton story so far because she has truly followed the metaphorical life cycle of a butterfly. During the first two seasons, she remained in her caterpillar phase, often overlooked by the ton and by Colin, specifically. However, by season 3, she has reached a point of metamorphosis. Like the butterfly, she changes her overarching appearance and becomes something entirely new. She is no longer a woman on the brink of spinsterhood, but is a rather eligible bachelorette. Now, she is more obviously beautiful, and in a completely different form.
Why Penelope’s Transformation Works So Well in Bridgerton Season 3
Penelope Is Finally Seen
While it may seem shallow to predicate a character’s arc on a makeover, Penelope’s transformation has much more to do with her own confidence rather than how she looks. She is considered more “beautiful,” but more importantly, Pen’s new clothes and hair suit her. She is more comfortable in her own skin. Furthermore, the ton finally sees her. As a wallflower, Penelope has long been on the periphery of things, which is what makes her a great Lady Whistledown. However, her transformation throws her into the spotlight and allows others to finally see what they have been missing throughout Bridgerton.
