• Fashion

Women’s Fashion of “Peaky Blinders” Finale

Anya Taylor-Joy and Cillian Murphy as Gina Gray and Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders is a British period crime drama TV series created by Steven Night. Initially set in Birmingham, England, in 1920s, it followed the story of the Peaky Blinders crime gang in the aftermath of the First World War.

 

Its sixth and final season recently released by Netflix, brings the fictional gang to the brink of the second world war and to the rise of fascism in 1930s when Tommy Shelby (Golden Globe nominee Cillian Murphy) pursues a political career in opposition to the new character, Oswald Moseley (Sam Claflin).

 

Throughout almost a decade of its existence, Peaky Blinders garnered a legion of international fans. It has also garnered a feverish following for its incredible costume design created by the team of Alison McCosh, Stephanie Collie, Lorna Marie Mugan, and Alexandra Caufield.

 

David Beckham even partnered with the showrunner to create a Peaky Blinders-inspired capsule collection for his apparel brand that incorporated the famous flat caps, waistcoats, and peg trousers from the show.

 

The Peaky Blinders ladies’ wear fashion of the period, starting with late Edwardian in the earlier seasons and moving to the more razzle-dazzle of the roaring twenties. As times goes by their family gets richer.

 

Due to tragic death of actress Helen McCrory last year, the female cast of Peaky Blinders finale misses the character of Aunt Polly who used to wear quite an enviable wardrobe throughout the series that reflected her status.

Helen McCrory as Polly Gray in Peaky Blinders

This season the women’s fashion of Peaky Blinders become as opulent as it could as a reflection of the wealth of the Shelby clan. It needs to be mentioned that in general womenswear saw a shift of focus to the movies for fashion inspiration in the 1930s, especially in case of eveningwear.

 

The Peaky Blinders ladies of the sixth season wear long silky dresses, sleeveless but with elbow length gloves paired with sophisticated jewelry and luxurious fur shawls.

Natasha O’Keeffe as Lizzie Shelby in Peaky BlindersCillian Murphy and Natasha O’Keeffe as Tommy and Lizzie Shelby in Peaky Blinders

Bespoke party dresses were the ultimate status symbol in the beginning of the 20th century, and they are often worn throughout the Peaky Blinders series, including its season finale though the colors become less vibrant but more elegant, while intricate embellishments are replaced with expensive fabrics.

Amber Anderson as Diana Mitford in Peaky BlindersAmber Anderson as Diana Mitford in Peaky Blinders

Amber Anderson as Diana Mitford in Peaky Blinders

While eveningwear is dominated by the body-skimming silhouette, daywear returns to romanticism and femininity. Day dresses come in a variety of patterns and fall between the mid-calf and just above the ankle.

Anya Taylor-Joy as Gina Gray in Peaky Blinders

Smart suits were also very popular with crisp lines and sculptural shoulders. Typically, suits were made of wool or tweed accessorized with a small hat and leather shoes.

Cillian Murphy and Amber Anderson as Tommy Shelby Diana Mitford in Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders women go with pearls or less sophisticated jewelry for daywear, while fashionably short haircuts and red lips and matching nail polish become major style accents.

Sophie Rundle as Ada Shelby in Peaky BlindersSam Claflin and Amber Anderson as Oswald Moseley and Diana Mitford in Peaky Blinders

As a hallmark of 1930s fashion, sculptured shoulders – both on suits or dresses – are created through padding, layers of fabric or other embellishment.

Amber Anderson as Diana Mitford in Peaky BlindersAnya Taylor-Joy as Gina Gray in Peaky Blinders