Introducing The Gilded Age
Peggy Scott: Denée Benton
Costume Designer: Kasia Walicka-Maimone
The second season of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” premiered on October 29th 2023 and is set during 1880s a.k.a “The Gilded Age” in New York City. The cast is an ensemble with many of the actors being stars of the stage
The season opens on Easter Sunday 1883 and set against the ‘Opera Wars’ which saw the opening of Metropolitan Opera against the ultra exclusive Academy of Music. However not all the characters are as absorbed in the rivalry. Peggy being one such character whose story goes deeper than the cities’ opera venues.
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Peggy’s Story in Season Two
At the end of season one Peggy learns that her son didn’t die after he was born and was adopted to another family.
Season one ends with her and her mother going off to find him. However between the seasons she learns her son died before she could find him, which devastates her.
The heart break of this causes her to throw herself into her work so that she won’t have time to think about her poor child.
Much like season one, Peggy maintains her passion for writing but she also takes up interest in causes that impact her community.
Peggy’s Season Two Wardrobe
Similar to season one, the majority of Peggy’s costumes in season two are often sophisticated and reflect her drive and ambition.
There are one of two exceptions the may showcase a more romantic dreamy quality of her’s. She has around ten new costumes this season as well repeats from season one.
This page is a ranked list of Peggy’s 5 best costumes from Season two of The Gilded Age. The costumes were ranked by aesthetics, memorability and how well they reflect Peggy.
This ranked list tries to be as objective as possible but subjective opinions can get in the way.
List Subject to Change
Spoilers for Season one and Season Two
5. The Butterfly Gown
Love or hate it Peggy’s evening gown that she wore for a rooftop party for the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge is memorable.
In a panel co-hosted by HBO and the Met, Benton mentioned that Peggy was based on the family of Philip A. White, Black pharmacist from Brooklyn. According to Benton the rooftop party was also based on the coming out party for one of his daughter. So perhaps the idea was this gown a sort debutante gown for Peggy or perhaps that it’s youthful quality means that it’s old gown of her’s.
This gown could also be based on the House of Worth Butterfly gown as both use a butterfly motif. This gown does seem to capture Peggy’s softer and empathic side and perhaps her desire of being in love again.
Peggy’s gown is a lovely soft pink color that uses tulle to add a dream-like touch which the screen-printed butterfly also add to the look. It might have been better if the butterflies on the bodice were smaller and maybe made from beading or fabric appliqués. They do seem too big and oddly placed with one is up-side down.
However the soft pink color looks exquisite on her and it very nice to seen Peggy in formal attire.
4. The Red and Blue Floral Dress
After needing some distance from her parents, Peggy returns to 61st street and her job a s secretary for Mrs. Van Rhijn. Her outfit as she makes the trek from Brooklyn to Manhattan is a combination red and blue with contrasting floral patterns. Both the red and blue material are muted in tone but the blue fabric does have a slight sheen. A solid blue material is used as an accent to break up the design and add visual interest.
The costume features Peggy’s penchant for asymmetrical details along her overall sense of youthful refinement.
3. The Gray and Red Dress
Peggy wears this outfit a few times throughout season 2. It’s a dove gray outfit with a red geometric material lining that frames the bodice. The red geometric material is used for the under-skirt and a lining and both the red and gray fabric make up the bustle.
She wears with matching hat.
The red against the gray gives a real punch of color that both refined and is brightness.
2. The Silver and Orange Dress
One of the major topics of conversation surrounding the costumes of The Gilded Age is the color combinations. While it’s true that the period did use some odd pairings this show can dial the combinations up a lot and sometimes the costumes are weird and jarring and sometimes they oddly works.
Peggy’s silver and black floral dress with a hint of orange is an example that works. While pairing of silver and back can read Halloween this look doesn’t invoke that holiday. The subtly of pairing the orange with a solid light gray grounds the look against the rich silver and black floral fabric.
This look once again has asymmetry which is a hallmark for Peggy’s costumes. The costume is a compelling combination of chicness, exuberance and touch of playfulness.
1. The Teal and Red Dress
Another seemingly odd color pairing is Peggy red botanicals dress with teal satin. The botanical fabric does have teal in the design so the beautifully draped satin teal bodice inset along with cuffs and lining of the skirt to help form the bustle works really well with the deep red that is prominent the botanical fabric.
It’s as dynamic outfit that fits well into Peggy sense of style.
She rewears this costume in season three as well.
