• by Kathy Sheehan , Op-Ed Contributor, February 16, 2021

“Bridgerton” has become Netflix’s most-watched original series, with 82 million viewers, and was renewed for a second season.

As fans waited with bated breath for a new season — from either excitement or the rise in sales of corsets -- they are taking to TikTok to fill their “Bridgerton” void.

From fashion to music to user challenges, the “Bridgerton” effect is already having a serious impact on youth culture. You might say fans “burn” for this.

Royaltycore

Young people have been homebound for nearly a year now, so many are playing dress-up inspired by "Bridgerton"'s sophisticated styles and silhouettes. Fashion search engine Lyst saw a surge in searches for 1800s items and aesthetics -- like long gloves, empire line dresses, and feathered headbands -- and dubbed this trend “Regencycore."

Young people are showing off their dainty and delicate Regency-era looks on TikTok, using gloves, headpieces, corsets, pastel gowns, and parasols. Finally, a reason to get out of our sweatpants.

Musical

“Bridgerton" has enamored viewers of all ages. But can you imagine the series as a Broadway musical?

Gen-Z artists Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear can. The pair quickly turned the show’s theme into a musical TikTok series.

Some videos on TikTok garnered nearly 5 million views, and the show's elegant yet modern music has garnered a global audience, who are already singing along and creating choreography. While Barlow and Bear are hopeful that producers will turn their work into an official Broadway musical someday, for now the pair are just thankful the show has inspired more inclusivity in the industry.

Then-and-now challenge

Officially started and sponsored by Netflix, the then-and-now "Bridgerton" TikTok challenge showcases life in the 1800s compared to 2021.

With the help of TikTik’s stitch feature, users are splicing show clips with their own content to illustrate how drastically different young adult lives are today when it comes to flirting, gossiping, and getting ready for a party.

Flirting in the 1800s may have meant  dropping a fan, but in modern times it means sliding into someone’s dms.

With 6.8 billion views, the #Bridgerton TikTok hashtag also features viewer reaction videos, character impersonations, and even old-school arts and crafts like needlepoint, calligraphy, and wax seals for handwritten letters. What’s old is new, or at the very least trendy, again.

Care for a spot of tea? With an amassed 33.1M views, #afternoontea time is another trend that’s bubbling up on TikTok, and beyond, courtesy of "Bridgerton."

According to Vogue, “Google searches for ‘tea’ reached an all-time high in the United States and Etsy experienced a 110 percent increase in searches for tea sets compared to January 2020,” proving just how pivotal an effect this series has on mainstream culture. For young adults missing the glamour of going out and dressing up, this luxurious aesthetic is something for them to aspire to and enjoy at home.

What show or series do you anticipate will capture the hearts of Gen Z and the TikTok audience? What brands have you seen use TikTok effectively?