Hats and Bonnets in Pride and Prejudice, 1980

The costumes of the 1995 and 2005 film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice are fairly familiar to us, but images of Pride and Prejudice 1980 are not as prevalent. Just for fun, this post identifies the cast through the hats and bonnets they wear.

Lizzie Bennet's (Elizabeth Garvie) straw hat with blue ribbon made an appearance in several scenes. At top left she is talking to Jane (Sabina Franklyn), who wears a a short slat bonnet.

Mrs. Bennet (Priscilla Morgan) has a cap of every shape and size for every occasion. In this montage she appears with Mr.Bennet (Moray Watson) and Mr. Collins (Malcolm Rennie).

Jane wears a feminine version of a shako.

Hats help to define the character. Georgiana Darcy (Emma Jacobs) looks chic and elegant in her poke bonnet and expensive lace veil. Mary and Kitty (Claire Higgins) are becomingly girlish in ther plain straw bonnets. Flighty Lydia spent every penny she had on a frilly bonnet she didn't like, and has plans to refurbish her new hat.

Lizzie and Mary (Tessa Peake-Jones) wear hooded capes. Notice their bonnets underneath the hoods.

Charlotte Lucas's (Irene Richard), ,and Lizzie's poke bonnets are made of straw. Lydia's (Natalie Ogle) straw bonnet is shaped like a slat bonnet. Mary's face is almost hidden by her poke bonnet. Mrs. Gardiner (Barbara Shelley) looks sporty in her Regency version of a cloche.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Judy Parfitt) and Mrs. Gardiner wear stylish hats befitting their  more mature looks.

Regency males wore beaver hats and top hats, and men in the militia wore shakos, like Captain Denny (Andrew Johns). (Top left to right) Mr. Darcy (David Rintoul) doffs his hat as Mr. Bingley (Osmund Bullock) greets Jane Bennet. Mr. Gardiner's (Michael Lees) and Mr. Wickham's (Peter Settelen) top hats are made of beaver fur, and Mr. Collins's hat denotes his status as a minister. 

Charlotte and Lizzie contemplate Mr. Collin's waterproof hat "in case he falls into the water."

In case you have not seen this screen adaptation of Jane Austen's most popular book, Netflix has made the film available for instant streaming. For those who think this 30-year-old film might be too old-fashioned, give it a chance. There are many fine moments in it.

Seen on the Blogosphere: Pride and Prejudice

With apologies to the 1980 P&P movie version with David Rintoul and Elizabeth Garvie, click here to read Xena's comparison between the actors who portrayed the characters in Pride and Prejudice 1940, 1995, and 2005 (Scroll down a little). The 1980 movie has not been entirely forgotten. This blogger compares the 1980, 1995, and 2005 P&P versions, and prefers David Rintoul over Colin Firth, as does Kaye Dacus, who compared the actors in a recent post as well. This post from Writer's Digest compares these movie versions as well.


One of the best movie promos for the 2005 movie can be found on this youtube clip on Keira Web. And then there are these three fabulous posters advertising the 1940 movie, two of which sit on Miss Greer Garson.com. Ed discusses his favorite moments in the 1940 movie on this fabulous site. Click on his links to view the movie stills. Turner Movie Classics provides a P&P 1940 overview.

Pride and Prejudice, The Gay Comedy Hit!
When Pretty Girls Teased Men Into Marriage
Five Love Hungry Beauties in Search of Husbands.
Girls, Take a Lesson From These Five Husband Hunters!
(And my favorite) - Tsk. Tsk. Mr. Chip's Wife is in Love With Rebecca's Husband!

• Find a Greer Garson as Lizzy Bennet Paper Doll on Jane Austen's World.

• And want to see something fun? Click here for Pride and Prejudice Gilmore Girls Style

Posted by Ms. Place