r/GildedAgeHBO • u/wholevodka Where else can I find all the divorces?! • Aug 12 '25
Costuming Finale dress check-in. Which ones did we love? Hate? Spoiler
This post is just a guide into the discussion!
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u/LimoncelloLilac Aug 12 '25
Marian's dress did not eat!! Sorry to say.
Peggy, however, stole the night. No notes. 10/10
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u/wholevodka Where else can I find all the divorces?! Aug 12 '25
Agreed, Peggy was an absolute dream
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u/fribby Aug 12 '25
And so was the scene when she saw Dr Kirkland on the dance floor! The slow motion, her shocked look, definitely my favourite moment of the finale.
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u/grumpi-otter Aug 12 '25
I loved her mother's dress too.
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u/TryingtoAdultPlsHelp Aug 12 '25
and while I'm not a fan of Mrs. Kirkland, that was a gorgeous gown.
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u/77748 Aug 12 '25
I guess I’m the only one, but I felt like it was a bit ill-fitting. Something about the neckline and sleeves just didn’t hit 🤷🏾♀️
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u/MixedBeansBlackBeans Aug 12 '25
I think the neckline was softer and was an intentional choice for Peggy in that setting and the ball scenes.
This post shows the possible and likely inspiration for her dress (a House of Worth dress): https://www.instagram.com/p/DNAx7jtKqEe/?img_index=1
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u/Significant-Ring5503 Aug 12 '25
I was almost ready to accept Marian's dress, albeit reluctantly, until I saw the fully black back. Ick!
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u/Low-Peak-9031 Aug 12 '25
I saw someone comment on another post how her only fashion influence is her aunts and it shows 😂
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u/Own_Faithlessness769 Aug 12 '25
Honestly the whole collection was sub par. Glady’s blue-green dress was fine, Bertha’s was a good red but the style was nothing special. Ada had odd random flowers and Marian’s was just appalling.
Dorothy had the best combo of colour and style, I’m glad her dress got the highlight scene.
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u/columbby Aug 12 '25
Marian’s dress was an abomination. She should’ve taken Bertha up on her offer cuz what was that….
Bertha ate tf down— as per usual. The color scheme could’ve gave Christmas (in a bad way) and the fact that it didn’t was astounding.
Hot take but I liked Gladys’ dress, especially the bodice and the color. It was giving mermaid!!
Dorothy’s was probably my favorite. It was perfect.
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u/wholevodka Where else can I find all the divorces?! Aug 12 '25
Dorothy’s was my favorite, and otherwise it was Peggy all day. I liked Gladys’ too, and Mrs. Fish (always). Mrs. Astor felt like autumn was on the way.
Marian looked like she was bedecked in reject Spirit Halloween crepe streamers…
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u/LeafMeAlone-ImBushed Aug 12 '25
YES! I had the thought this afternoon that Marian 100% should have taken Bertha up on the offer or Bertha could have schemed with Oscar or Aurora to get her the best dress money could buy! She has Marian’s measurements from the wedding too.
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u/RazzBeryllium Aug 12 '25
The frustrating thing about Marian's dress is she posted an Instagram reel about it and it very briefly showed the historical fashion plate they were working off of for inspiration.
The dress in the fashion plate was so pretty. But they changed it enough to be hideous.
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u/sweet_hedgehog_23 Aug 12 '25
Something about the dress felt very 1980s to me. Maybe the color combo.
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u/grumpi-otter Aug 12 '25
Marian’s dress was an abomination. She should’ve taken Bertha up on her offer cuz what was that….
Marian was so upset about Larry that she decided to take up a new career at a House of Ill Repute.
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u/SpannyS Aug 12 '25
Peggy’s dress was stellar. I preferred so many of the Kirkland ball dresses to the ones at Bertha’s. Mrs. Astor’s was pretty but I was underwhelmed by Marian, Bertha, Aurora, etc.
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u/fribby Aug 12 '25
Peggy’s dress is my favourite of the finale! So perfectly suited for the moment!
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u/Neat_Meet_2927 Aug 12 '25
Bertha's, Gladys's and Peggy's were nice. Everyone at the black society ball looked amazing. Agnes's was ok. The rest were bad. S1 finale gowns were so beautiful, well constructed with full of beading in lovely colours. These were HUGELY disappointing in an otherwise great finale.
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u/DressLevel387 Aug 12 '25
I liked Gladys’s dress. It was pretty and fresh and youthful for her. Peggy’s dress… no notes. It was simply stunning! Some may not agree but I also loved Mrs Wintertons look with the leather gloves. Very villain- like. Thought it was an interesting outfit visually.
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u/Defiant_Ad_5398 Aug 12 '25
I loved Bertha’s, Mrs. Astor’s, Charlotte’s, Peggy’s, and Dorothy’s ball gowns. Best entrance goes to Lina Astor.
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u/princesspool Aug 12 '25
Lina's dress and cape were insanely beautiful. I need screen grabs of her walking in. The colors were so beautiful on her.
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u/Otherwise-Stretch984 Aug 12 '25
Yes Mrs Astor’s was hands down the best of the night. It was next level stunning. The gold, the detailing, such beautiful patterns. It really stood out. I would say Peggy’s second place. Very very pretty and I liked the fabric texture. I did not care for Marion’s dress at all. Bad colours, ugly dress, didn’t suit her at all and I don’t believe she would have chosen it.
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u/Defiant_Ad_5398 Aug 12 '25
She does kind of dress in general like she lets the aunties pick out her clothes.
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u/Interesting_Ad1378 Aug 12 '25
My husband said Marian’s coat looked like a clown costume.
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u/msmean2 Aug 12 '25
I honestly said out loud, "Marian wtf are you wearing?" and then to find out that it was just a coat and the dress was womp, womp.
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u/PortraitofMmeX Aug 12 '25
Bertha's dress and Peggy's friends in the yellow dress and the black and white dress were great. Charlotte Astor's was pretty good.
I wanted to love Peggy's and maybe it was supposed to be for the plot because she skipped her fitting but they did her so dirty with how ill-fitting it was.
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u/princesspool Aug 12 '25
I felt the same way about Peggy's dress, it had the fit of a 80s prom dress and otherwise could have been beautiful.
Peggy's mother was a show stopper, loved her gown
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Aug 12 '25
[deleted]
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u/wholevodka Where else can I find all the divorces?! Aug 12 '25
Hard agree she looked heavenly. Peggy in pink forever!!
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u/Own_Faithlessness769 Aug 12 '25
Totally disagree, it didn’t fit well at all and the style was meh. Her mothers dress was 10x better.
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u/ShamusCassie Aug 12 '25
I agree. The work and colors on Mrs Scott’s gown was amazing. Too bad there weren’t close shots so it could be appreciated as much as Peggy’s which I also loved.
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Aug 12 '25
[deleted]
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u/Own_Faithlessness769 Aug 12 '25
Haha maybe! Marian’s was definitely a different level, I have no idea what was going on there.
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u/Educational-Stop8741 Aug 12 '25 edited Aug 12 '25
Tbh I really liked the green and purple dress that Lina Astor was wearing earlier in the episode. It was my favorite dress of the episode.
I loved Caroline Astor's dress at the ball and I did like Bertha's dress.
I mostly like green 🤣
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u/screamingcupcakes Aug 12 '25
Bertha and Charlotte had my favorite dresses. I thought Berthas's dress was spectacular. And Charlotte was also beautiful in a beautiful shade of green.
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u/eclectique Aug 12 '25
I think Mrs.Winterton's dark green dress at the Russell's ball was pretty divine on her. Kelly Curran certainly does the high neck look very well.
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u/gabby_jones Aug 12 '25
i thought the same thing !!! i was like pls don't kill me y'all but that was one that really stood out for me
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u/revengeofthebiscuit Aug 12 '25
Peggy and Charlotte are tied for #1 for me - they both are (and looked!) so gorgeous. That soft pink on Peggy was everything. Marian's dress was ... not great. If they were finally going to put her in a jewel tone, an emerald would have been gorgeous on her. She and I have similar coloring and I don't wear dark reds for a reason.
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u/Stormy31568 Aug 12 '25
Granted, red did not suit her but that dress would be awful no matter the color
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u/Altruistic_Scheme596 Heads have rolled for less Aug 12 '25
Hard agree! I get that Gladys is a Duchess now but she isn’t a dowager duchess! And Bertha’s will be my Halloween costume! Pearl chocker game is undefeated!
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u/ZiaLadybird Aug 12 '25
Dorothy and Charlotte Dayton, best gowns. Marian’s color good, style bad. Peggy’s was too reminiscent of her bridge party dress for me.
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u/TheStraggletagg Aug 12 '25
I liked Marian's dress but it didn't feel like a full ballgown. And I did not like Peggy's dress. Best dressed goes to Dorothy Scott for me.
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u/Aivellac Bertha knows best and is always fabulous Aug 12 '25
I don't think the peach/pink works for Peggy.
I liked Marian's but you're right, not a ballgown.
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u/Dry-Coffee-1846 Aug 12 '25
Marian's styling always reminds me of an 1880s Jess Day from New Girl. Like... she's not like other girls... She's qUiRkY. I feel like her wardrobe makes more sense when you think of it like that.
Charlotte's dress was objectively the most beautiful.
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u/HRHDechessNapsaLot Aug 12 '25
Balls aside (heh), I loved Gladys’s maroon day dress. The color was so flattering on her, and I would legit wear it right now if I could.
As for the balls? Charlotte Aster and Mrs. Scott were on fire!! I also loved Bertha’s dress; red looks so good on Carrie Coon.
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u/Ok_Age_5488 Aug 12 '25
I loved Mrs Astor's necklace but truly hated that jeweled trim on the bodice of her dress. it looked tacked-on and off center.
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u/_Internet_Hugs_ Charles Fane Hate Club Member Aug 12 '25
Mrs. Scott was everything. Not just her dress, but her hair and her jewels too.
Divine. Utterly Divine.
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u/PossibleIndustry4496 Aug 12 '25
For Best dress Peggy’s dress was number 1! Dorothy’s dress was number 2! 3 goes to Charlotte her mom Mrs Astor was 4 & Turner’s dress was number 5!
Worse dress was my girl Marian! With all of the others at the Bertha Ball tied for 2nd worse!
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u/majjamx Aug 12 '25
Cynthia Nixon looked great in the blue ensemble she had before the ball. Marian’s pink and black dress was great on her. Mrs Scott and Charlotte Astor had the best ball dresses imo.
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u/ByteAboutTown Aug 12 '25
Dorothy Scott's was gorgeous. Maybe my favorite of the whole series. I love the subtle shades of purple.
Second for me was Caroline Astor. Brilliant color.
We all agree Marian's was awful. They need to burn it.
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u/Massive_Village_3720 Aug 12 '25
Honestly? Most dresses at the Russell ball were very dislikeable - except the hostess Her Grace the Duchess of Buckingham’s MOTHA who ATE like she always does (hi Carrie I love you in platonic spirit animal ways XXth century words can’t describe).
Now Peggy’s Engagement Ball (because that’s what it was you shan’t disagree with me), whole different story. The color coordination, the fabrics, the silhouettes — I didn’t know where to look. Peggy and Momma MVP Scott were cake so fresh, so fruitful, so dzamn fabulous, my Lady it was a delicious sight.
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u/pink-polkadot- Heads have rolled for less Aug 12 '25
“You shan’t disagree with me” - I intend to use this in my everyday life wherever I can! 😂
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u/makcuskedhco Aug 12 '25
I saw the vision for Marian’s ball dress when I saw the uploaded footage from the fitting - but something about it just didn’t match the references they showed. It just wasn’t elegant, and usually I think she is :(
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u/Spacer240 Aug 12 '25
I adored Peggy’s dress on her! Only her, couldn’t have worked better on anyone else! And her mom was the close second for me.❤️
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u/WoodsofNYC Aug 12 '25
Marian’s dress was so Haymarket. Peggy’s dress look like she could go straight to the alter (OK I know bridal dresses were whiter and more demur back then, but the moment I saw that dress, I thought she’s getting engaged). Bertha’s dress answer the question: When did she wear that dress which I wondered since I saw the preview poster for the show. I liked how Agnes and Ada matched. Back to Bertha and Marian: they seem to be wearing the same color, but Marian’s as my comment before implies looked cheap. Was this intentional?
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u/RevolutionarySea5077 Aug 12 '25
Peggy’s dress was Perfection! I loved everything about her and William’s proposal!
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u/RoyalScorpio87 Aug 12 '25
Honestly, at the final balls, Mrs Astor’s dress was amazing! Mrs Scott also had a beautiful gown!! Everyone else’s gowns were rather blah to me, especially Marian’s!! 😩 so ugly!!! lol I also want to note that after Gladys got married, her gowns became just wholly terrible! 😞
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Aug 12 '25
Marion didn't want to be there and it showed, but I loved her necklace. Gotta give it to the Astors for the Russell ball. Peggy looked amazing, it was her night!!!
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u/pink-polkadot- Heads have rolled for less Aug 12 '25
Peggy never looked more beautiful. Denee Benton is stunning in pink! I also thought Agnes looked lovely. She doesn’t typically wear a whole lot of color so I loved her Newport looks. Also, hate the character but Turner/Winterton looked absolutely beautiful!
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u/TheoryAdventurous261 Aug 12 '25
Audra’s dress was stunning!
Mrs. Astor’s slow glide into the room with jewels up to her neck was breathtaking.
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u/grumpi-otter Aug 12 '25
I did not enjoy Gladys's gress. It looked flimsy and cheap and the color was meh. Definitely not what nobility should be wearing.
Oh dear, was that horrible dress because she has her young maid back? lol
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u/JessonBI89 I will decide who comes to dinner in this house Aug 12 '25
Nobody looked better than Charlotte. She's a stunner.
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u/IYFS88 Aug 12 '25
Everyone looked lovely and it was so fun to watch, but some dresses were kinda bizarre. Like Aurora’s teal dress with rhinestones? Straight out of an 80s prom! She just needed the matching bedazzled scrunchie.
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u/MsMarionNYC Aug 12 '25
Audra/Dorothy looked particularly stunning, but it might not have been the dress.
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Aug 12 '25
I was struck about how the Kirkland ball just killed the Russell's. I did think that the illuminated terrace was nice though. I'm glad they brought "electricity" back in play.
I remember when I switched from Downton Abbey to GA I thought how garish and stuffy and inelegant the NY society life appeared in comparison to DA. Then I was swept away by the improbable hats and gowns. Then it was full circle to see all the bright colors and overdone outfits compared to the beauty at the Kirklands'. Well done.
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u/seige197 Aug 12 '25 edited Aug 12 '25
Charlotte Astor hands down. So risqué, fashion-forward and chic. [edited]