Calling All Mr. Darcy Enthusiasts! Bid on Colin Firth's Legendary 'Pride and Prejudice' Wet Shirt

Attention Mr. Darcy Lovers! Colin Firth's Iconic 'Pride and Prejudice' Wet Shirt Is up for Auction

Colin Firth. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage

Any fan of period movies would be over the moon to own the famous "wet shirt" worn by Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice. And now, one lucky bidder will have the chance to do just that.

Colin Firth's white linen shirt from the 1995 BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice is now available for auction. This iconic costume, complete with tan breeches, a striped waistcoat, a gray tailcoat, and black and brown riding boots, will be among the many TV and film outfits up for bidding at the Kerry Taylor Auctions in the U.K. The auction, known as the Lights Camera Auction – Live Cosprop Sale, will take place on Tuesday, March 5th and all proceeds will go to The Bright Foundation.

Firth, who is 63 years old, played the role of Mr. Darcy in the Pride and Prejudice miniseries. He starred opposite Jennifer Ehle, who portrayed Elizabeth Bennet, the heroine created by Jane Austen. In one memorable scene, Mr. Darcy is seen wearing a costume while taking a dip in a lake. He then unexpectedly meets Elizabeth while he is still soaking wet. This iconic costume is expected to be auctioned for a price ranging from $7,600 to $10,800 in U.S. dollars.

According to a statement on the Kerry Taylor Auctions website, the costume's designer, Dinah Collin, revealed that the famous "wet shirt moment" was actually not part of the original script. It was included in the scene because television regulations at the time did not allow for male nudity to be shown on screen.

Our solution to this was to film Colin Firth from the waist up, wearing only an Irish linen shirt that was a replica of an old original. This shirt fit snugly against his body," Collin explained. This scene caused quite a stir at the time and suddenly turned Colin Firth from a respected classical actor into a sex symbol!

Following this, Firth went on to portray another version of Mr. Darcy, named Mark Darcy, in the 2001 film Bridget Jones's Diary and its two sequels. Pride and Prejudice was not the only time Firth found himself submerged on screen, as he famously jumped into a lake in Love Actually in 2003 and engaged in a playful fight with Hugh Grant in a fountain in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason in 2004.

Attention Mr. Darcy Lovers! Colin Firth's Iconic 'Pride and Prejudice' Wet Shirt Is up for Auction

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His wet shirt scene has also influenced other period dramas. Bridgerton season 2 paid homage to the moment by having Jonathan Bailey’s Anthony Bridgerton angrily rip off his coat to expose his wet white blouse after accidentally falling into a lake.

“There are some images that have been burned into my brain for a very long time,” Bridgerton executive producer Chris Van Dusen shared with Entertainment Weekly in March 2022. He mentioned how those memories influenced the show's creation, particularly expressing his admiration for the 1995 BBC adaptation with Colin Firth emerging from the lake in his white shirt. The scene of Anthony going in the lake in Bridgerton relates to that iconic moment, serving as an Easter egg for fans of the genre.

Attention Mr. Darcy Lovers! Colin Firth's Iconic 'Pride and Prejudice' Wet Shirt Is up for Auction

Colin Firth's iconic Mr. Darcy shirt gained fame when he wore it in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. It was a memorable moment in television history.

He mentioned that the shirt underwent thorough testing to ensure the perfect balance of transparency and clinginess. He added that a lot of effort was put into making that moment special and unforgettable.

Several iconic costumes will be available for auction in the U.K., including Drew Barrymore's dress from the 1998 Ever After masquerade ball, one of Cate Blanchett's gowns from the 1998 film Elizabeth, outfits from both the 1996 and 2020 versions of Emma, Robert Downey Jr.'s attire from the 2009 movie Sherlock Holmes, and various pieces from Downton Abbey. The auction proceeds will go to The Bright Foundation, a charity that supports children and young people in need by providing access to the arts.

Editor's P/S:

As an avid fan of period dramas, the prospect of owning Colin Firth's iconic "wet shirt" from Pride and Prejudice is an irresistible allure. The auction offers a unique opportunity to possess a piece of cinematic history that has left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions