The iconic white shirt worn by Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is now on public display for the first time in Scotland. The garment is a highlight of a new exhibition at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, which celebrates the legacy of costume design on screen.
The shirt featured in a pivotal lake scene that significantly boosted Firth's public image and has since been voted one of the UK's most memorable television drama moments. The exhibition, titled "Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop," showcases the work of the renowned costume company Cosprop.
The "wet shirt" was acquired by the Bankfield Museum in Halifax in 2024 for £25,000 and had previously been part of a private collection. Its inclusion in the Dovecot Studios exhibition marks a significant moment, offering the public a chance to see the piece outside of museum settings.
Celia Joicey, director of Dovecot Studios, commented on the significance of the garment, stating, "As one of television’s most recognisable outfits, it adds an exciting new dimension to Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop, celebrating the legacy of costume design on screen as part of the festival season."
The exhibition is part of Edinburgh's festival season and runs until January of the following year. The "Pride and Prejudice" adaptation is widely credited with establishing Colin Firth as an international sex symbol, largely due to the memorable lake scene.
