Iconic Mr. Darcy Shirt from 'Pride and Prejudice' Hits the Market Alongside Vintage Costumes
Discover the legendary shirt that captured hearts and is now up for grabs, among a stunning collection of vintage costumes. Dive into the nostalgia and secure your piece of history today!
The iconic white button-down shirt that captured the hearts of a generation is now up for sale. It was famously worn by Colin Firth in "Pride and Prejudice" and is anticipated to sell for thousands of dollars at an auction.
Firth became famous for his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the BBC adaptation of Jane Austen's book in 1995. One iconic scene that captured viewers' hearts was when Firth, as Darcy, unexpectedly took a swim in a lake while fully clothed. To everyone's surprise, he later encountered his love interest, Elizabeth Bennet (played by Jennifer Ehle), once he returned to dry land.
The role of Darcy was a turning point in Firth's career, leading to many other opportunities in film, such as his role in the 2001 movie "Bridget Jones' Diary."
The white linen shirt, which is now dry, will be up for auction on Tuesday at Kerry Taylor Auctions. It could fetch up to $12,700 from potential buyers.
This 1810s-style shirt was created by Dinah Collin and includes a label from costume maker Cosprop that says "CP Darcy Wet shirt."
The shirt on display at the "Lights Camera Auction" photocall at Kerry Taylor Auctions on February 27, 2024 in London, England.
The shirt on display at the "Lights Camera Auction" photocall at Kerry Taylor Auctions on February 27, 2024 in London, England.
Collin recalled the iconic moment when Mr. Darcy's shirt made movie history. The 'wet shirt moment' was not originally planned in the script. It was a result of discussions between Collin and Christopher Prins, who was the head of menswear at Cosprop at that time. In the scene, Mr. Darcy is seen coming out of a lake after a refreshing swim on a hot summer day. Due to restrictions on male nudity on screen, the idea of the 'wet shirt' was born.
Pride And Prejudice , Colin Firth, Jennifer Ehle Film and Television
Pride And Prejudice ,Colin Firth,Jennifer Ehle
Film and Television
Moviestore/Shutterstock
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To work around this issue, we decided to film Colin Firth in a ¾ length shot wearing only the Irish linen shirt, which was a replica of an antique original. This shirt hugged his body and created quite a stir at the time, turning Colin Firth from a respected classical actor into a sudden sex symbol overnight.
This shirt is just one of many pieces from the Cosprop store that will be up for auction to support The Bright Foundation, a charity for arts education founded by Academy Award-winning costume designer John Bright.
Some other popular costumes available for purchase include Drew Barrymore's outfit as Danielle in "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" and the heather-green hooded cloak and dress worn by Meryl Streep in "The French Lieutenant's Woman."
In addition, you can also find Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes costume from the 2009 movie "Sherlock Holmes," as well as Jude Law's costume as Dr. Watson.
The dress worn here by Drew Barrymore in "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" is among many other costumes up for auction.
The dress worn here by Drew Barrymore in "Ever After: A Cinderella Story" is among many other costumes up for auction.
Alamy Stock Photo
Among the other A-listers whose costumes are being auctioned are Keira Knightley, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Bright, along with fellow costumier Jenny Beavan, received the Oscar for best costume design in 1986 for Merchant Ivory’s “A Room With A View.”
He shared on the auction house website, “Costume design for film, tv, and theatre has been my life's passion. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to follow this career path. I strongly believe that arts and creativity play a crucial role in shaping happier and healthier children, helping young individuals to achieve their maximum potential.”
Editor's P/S:
The iconic white button-down shirt worn by Colin Firth in "Pride and Prejudice" is a testament to the enduring power of cinema. Its upcoming auction serves as a reminder of the impact that memorable costumes can have on our collective imagination. The fact that it could fetch thousands of dollars highlights the reverence with which we hold tangible pieces of our favorite films and the enduring legacy of Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy.
Furthermore, the auction supports a worthy cause, as the proceeds will benefit The Bright Foundation, a charity that promotes arts education. This is a fitting tribute to the transformative power of costume design, which can inspire young minds and spark a lifelong love for the arts. By owning a piece of cinematic history, collectors not only acquire a unique artifact but also contribute to the nurturing of future creative talent.
