Introducing The Gilded Age
Gladys Russell: Taissa Farmiga
Costume Designer: Kasia Walicka-Maimone
The Second season of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” premiered on October 29th 2023. Much like the title suggests the series is set during 1880s in New York City. It features an ensemble cast with many of the actors being stars of the stage.
Season two opens on Easter of 1883 and is primarily set against the ‘Opera Wars’ which saw the opening of Metropolitan Opera against the exclusive Academy of Music.
(post contains affiliate links)
Gladys in Season two
After coming out into society, Gladys is eager to get way from her controlling mother, Bertha Russell. Gladys does for the most part enjoy being in society but being a pretty heiress does mean she gets a lot of attention for fortune hunters.
Aside from turning down some gentlemen Gladys doesn’t have much a of a storyline in season two but Bertha is planning something big for Gladys that is set up at the end of the season.
Gladys’ costumes now that she in society
It’s hard to really know if Gladys’ costumes are her own sense of style or if Bertha still dictates what she wears. It does seem to a combination of both pending on the event.
Gladys’ own style does seem to lean a little more youthful as she still favors florals and ruffles but gone of the doll-like costumes of season one Though some of her looks do overwhelm her small stature.
Gladys has a little over ten new costumes this season with no repeats from season one due her being considered a proper adult.
This page is a ranked list of Gladys’ 5 best costumes from Season two of The Gilded Age. The costumes were ranked by aesthetics, memorability (in a way) and how well they reflect Gladys. Subjective options defiantly influenced this list, some of Gladys’ more memorable outfits just seem too much for her or there something off in the overall styling, in my opinion.
List Subject to Change
Spoilers for Season One and Two
5. The Floral Dress
While debating if her should accept a marriage offer from Oscar van Rhijn, Gladys wears a gorgeous floral gown. It’s very similar to a 1883 evening gown by Charles Frederick Worth,The House of Worth.
Gladys’ gown is blue flowers on white with lace trimming at the collar with sheer pleated cuffs. Her bustle is made from a solid blue, picking up on the blues of the flowers.
This costume had a great balance of Gladys’ youth mixed with budding sense of sophistication.
She wears this look again in season three.
4. The Blue Evening Gown
Gladys wears this blue flower trimmed gown twice in season two. The first is at Ward McAllister’s casino party in Newport and again for the reception of the opening of The Brooklyn Bridge.
Although she is barely featured in either scene, this blue gown in lovely and the soft blue color suits her coloring very well and flowers and tulle suiting her senses of style. It’s a shame this dress wasn’t given more screen time as all the elements work so harmonious together.
Gladys might have been referring to this dress in episode five when she bemoans that Bertha not allowing her to wear “the blue dress” to a dinner. Bertha describes this aforementioned blue dress as “fussy and girlish. ” Despite what Bertha thinks this blue dress is beautiful.
3. The Hot Pink Luncheon Dress
In order to make his case of marriage to Gladys, Oscar arranges for his cousin to host a luncheon that Bertha can’t not attend as she planning a party for later that evening.
Without the watchful eye of Bertha, Oscar gets a private moment with Gladys. As Gladys listens to Oscar she wears a very pretty very saturated dark pink ensemble with sheer white fabric details. The under-skirt has pleated and tied which some nice contrast against the smooth silk satin of the main part of the garment.
It’s a bright vivid dress which is rare to see Gladys wearing but it suits her and is very pretty.
2. The Newport Casino Dress
When the characters go to Newport they wear some of the best costumes in the show and Gladys maintains this trend.
During a tennis match at the casino, Gladys wears a charming rosebud pattern white dress which forms the bustle. The under-skirt is made from lace which echos the lace trim down the bodice, the cuffs and along the collar.
She styles this look with red accessories to match the rosebud pattern which also has the added bonus of coordinating with Marian who is also wearing white with a pop of red.
The choice of roses for a breezy summery outfit is unexpected but it lovely and perfectly suits Gladys.
1. The Red Evening Gown
As part of Bertha’s take over of New York society which will put her as the head, she hosts The Duke of Buckingham at her house in Newport. Part of hosting him is holding a formal dinner in his honor.
For this dinner Bertha strong-arms Gladys into wearing a gown that Bertha describes as “simple and elegant. ”
While Bertha does have questionable taste, she’s not wrong, Gladys’ red gown is tastefully simple and quite elegant. It has a streamlined skirt silhouette with a bustle that uses the same white lace fabric that used sewn at an angle across the upper bodice and used for the three-quarter sleeves.
Other subtle asymmetrical details are the red tulle at the bust, which is an element seen in many designs by The House of Worth and the white tulle and lace tuff on the opposite shoulder. She wears star hair ornaments with a white plume.
While Gladys’ costumes can overwhelmed her this look doesn’t. She looks divine.
Gladys rewears this gown in the sixth episode of season three at another dinner.
More Gladys Russell Costume Rankings
- Gladys’ 7 Best Costumes from Season 1 of The Gilded Age
- Gladys’ 10 Best Costumes from Season 3 of The Gilded Age
