The Iconic Mr Darcy Shirt Sells for £25,000 at Auction
By Noor Nanji & Sophie van Brugen, Culture Reporters
Updated 5 March 2024
Millions of viewers around the world swooned over Colin Firth as he strode out of a lake wearing a wet shirt as Mr Darcy in the BBC’s 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Now, that same shirt has been sold for a staggering £25,000 at a recent auction in London, surpassing its estimated price of £7,000 to £10,000.
Hosted by Kerry Taylor Auctions, this remarkable sale contained more than 60 costumes from various films and TV shows, with all proceeds benefiting charity. Among the items auctioned were outfits worn by Madonna, Margot Robbie, and Johnny Depp.
The wet shirt scene, although not part of Jane Austen’s original book, has become one of the most famous moments in TV history. In the scene, Mr Darcy, played by Colin Firth, takes an impromptu swim in his private lake and emerges in his clinging wet white shirt, leading to an encounter with his love interest, Elizabeth Bennet, played by Jennifer Ehle. This iconic scene instantly catapulted Colin Firth to sex symbol status.
The Auctioned Collection
In addition to the Mr Darcy shirt, other notable items in the auction included the Christian Dior ball gown worn by Madonna in Evita, Drew Barrymore’s costume in Ever After, and the dress and cape worn by Meryl Streep in The French Lieutenant’s Woman. Costumes from popular TV series such as Poldark, Peaky Blinders, and Downton Abbey were also part of this extraordinary collection spanning over 400 years of fashion history.
A Piece of Screen History
Kerry Taylor, the auctioneer, described this event as a “wonderful opportunity to own a piece of screen history.” Each outfit, worn by acting legends, carries a unique aesthetic and represents a specific point in film and TV culture. The costumes were generously donated by Cosprop, a renowned costume house, in support of The Bright Foundation. The foundation is an arts education charity that aims to provide creative experiences to children and young people facing disadvantages.
Looking Ahead
An ongoing online auction, running until 10 March, offers film and TV-related experiences and celebrity memorabilia. Notable lots include the signed script for Love Actually, generously donated by Richard Curtis and Emma Freud.
