The Haunting of Bly Manor, a Netflix original, transports us to a frightening English manor for a tremendously gothic 1980s ghost story. There are eerie dolls, phantom lovers, and another instantly classic performance from Victoria Pedretti. In Bly Manor, Pedretti plays Dani, an American au pair who rushes at the chance to look after a pair of creepy orphan children just to get away from the literal specters of her past. While Bly Manor is horrifying, heartbreaking, and completely engrossing, we were engrossed in it for reasons other than ghosts.
In The Haunting of Bly Manor, we’re smitten with Pedretti’s comfortable ’80s clothing. The bulky sweaters, comfy Mom jeans, scrunchy-adorned updos, and billowy nightgowns aren’t just historically accurate; they’re also fashionable. No, they’re a major fashion trend for Fall 2020. Forget the runways and influencers; this Fall, all the ladies want to be is a scared au pair in an ’80s horror house.
The Haunting of Bly Manor is Mike Flanagan’s second take on a classic novel, following The Haunting of Hill House. While the first season of the “series” focused on the themes of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, Bly Manor is “a tribute to Henry James,” as Decider’s own Kayla Cobb put it. The Turn of the Screw, to be exact. However, in the Netflix adaptation, the events of the novel are not only set in the 1980s but also viewed through the eyes of Pedretti’s Dani, a newcomer to Bly Manor.
Dani is likable right away, thanks to her keen wit and warm heart. She genuinely enjoys caring for children and is courteous to others around her. (Notes to Emily in Paris.) You’re rooting for her, darn it! And I’m envious of her fashion choices. Everything Dani wears in The Haunting of Bly Manor could have been worn in the 1980s, yet it speaks to a comfortable way of life.
Then there’s the sassy blazer outfit she dons for her job interview. It’s a sloppy joy that’d be at home on any Zoom call. Then there’s her Bly Manor wardrobe, which includes a slew of lovely flowy blouses, giant denim jackets, and that lavender sweater. Her shirt hems are always tucked into the waistband of her high-rise pants. In this year of Coronavirus panic eating, we can support a lady who chooses comfort and accepts the FUPA. Finally, Dani’s choice of pajamas is right on trend: the napkin dress. In the spring, trend articles were written on these antique-style pinafores. In Bly Manor, they have their moment of glory.
