All of Simon’s Outfits in Bridgerton Hold a Heartbreaking Secret About His Father’s Cruel Abandonment and Birth
In Bridgerton, the Duke of Hastings’ costumes all carry a secret message that explains most of the character’s most emotional decisions. The green brooch that he wears at all times throughout the show (even when it’s covered by an outer garment) is a constant reminder of his life’s defining trauma and the relationship he has with both his dead mother and his absent, abusive father. Traumatized by his dysfunctional childhood, exacerbated by the insecurity from his speech impediment, Simon Bassett has been mostly aloof and cold. But all that changed during the first season of Bridgerton where he meets his future wife, Daphne following a string of unexpected events.
Simon’s arc throughout Bridgerton thus far has also been visually represented with his choice of clothes. Initially, he was only wearing monochromatic looks — something that even Lady Danbury pointed out upon their reunion following the death of his father. Eventually, he began wearing colors, like rich velvet reds, signaling his changing outlook in life as he spent more time with Daphne resulting in an eventual romantic attraction. Throughout this time, however, the Duke of Hastings noticeably always wore a green brooch on the lapel of his waistcoat.
During the early episodes of Bridgerton, this pin was the only piece of clothing/accessory that Simon wore with color, so it’s quite easy to spot. While the show didn’t explicitly reveal the origins or importance of the brooch, it’s not surprising to learn that it was originally his mother’s as confirmed by the series’ costume designer, Ellen Mirojnick to Fashionista. As seen in the show’s flashback, the previous Duchess of Hastings died giving birth to her son, whom his husband had long yearned for in order to continue their line. While Simon never met his mother, Lady Danbury, who was her close friend, presumably told him everything to know about her. Wearing the diamond- and emerald-encrusted enamel brooch was Bassett’s way of keeping her close to him no matter where he went.
Symbolically, the green brooch against the typical black waistcoats that the Duke of Hastings wore at the beginning of Bridgerton was a hint that there was a small part of him is less harsh. It was also a reminder that while his father was cruel, only seeing him as an heir and not his child, he was brought to life by a mother who may have not had the chance to show it, but truly loved him. So while Simon grew up to develop a thick skin and indifferent attitude, it was only to protect himself from once again getting hurt after letting himself be vulnerable with his father. Despite the cold facade and stoicism he initially had, there was always a part of him that longed to love and be loved in return — something that he ultimately found in Daphne despite an unconventional start to their romance.
With season one primarily centered on Simon and Daphne’s relationship, there’s a chance that there won’t be much focus on them on the potential Bridgerton season 2. This is to shift interest to other members of the Bridgerton household who also have their own respective arcs to tackle. Nevertheless, it’s safe to assume that the current Duke and Duchess of Hastings will not simply fade into obscurity considering how popular they’ve become.
