Henry Golding & Cosmo Jarvis's Costumes Reflected Their Personalities. Wentworth's minimalist closet allowed him to "fit in" without making a big fashion statement, while Golding's performance demanded a "sort of a swagger," so beautifully fitted dark dusters and frock coats were made to emphasize his "brilliant confidence."
Persuasion has a well-known cast, including Richard E. Grant who plays one of the most amusing characters in Persuasion, Anne's father Sir Walter Elliot. According to Willow and Thatch, Grant viewed the character as "narcissistic, entitled, deluded, and pompous - a gift of a role." Sir Walter is so consumed by his own appearance he has six separate portraits of himself hanging in his living room.
Producer Designer JP Kelly organized a photoshoot with Grant in which he positioned himself in various period poses that were then photographed, enlarged, and painted over by artists in the style of Regency-era oil paintings. Watching Grant's enthusiasm for his role is infectious, and the manner in which he's brought to life is an amalgamation of new and old that perfectly complements the methodology of the film.
Producer Designer JP Kelly organized a photoshoot with Grant in which he positioned himself in various period poses that were then photographed, enlarged, and painted over by artists in the style of Regency-era oil paintings. Watching Grant's enthusiasm for his role is infectious, and the manner in which he's brought to life is an amalgamation of new and old that perfectly complements the methodology of the film.
Anne's rabbit was invented to give her a millennial vibe. Austen novels like Persuasion have many inspiring heroines, but not many of them have beloved pets like Anne's rabbit. In truth, the only actual pet to be fully described in any Jane Austen story is Lady Bertram's little pug, but the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice gave Caroline Bingley a lap dog, so there's some precedent. According to The Atlantic, Director Cracknell thought the rabbit was a useful device that gave Anne a Millennial vibe, and represented her feeling stuck as a spectator of her own life in her 20s and 30s, unsure of committing to her own choices.
According to Harper's Bazaar, while much of the costumes were historically accurate, some took a detour from the period in favor of lower waistlines and silhouettes that felt timeless. A mood board featuring "Debbie Harry...and Patti Smith" was used for Anne's character to imbue her costumes with a gamine but rebellious sensibility. The result feels both well-worn and also fresh and contemporary, making Anne seem almost like a '70s rock goddess.