A costume handler arranges Colin Firth’s ‘wet-shirt’ costume (AP photo)
What’s arguably the most famous wet shirt in TV history sold for 20,000 ($25,000) Tuesday – water not included. The white linen garment worn by Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in BBC’s 1995 TV adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” was the star item at an auction of film and TV costumes.
Firth’s costume – including boots, moleskin breeches and velvet waistcoat – fetched double its top pre- sale estimate of 10,000 ($12,700) during a sale at Kerry Taylor Auctions. The total price is 25,000 ($32,000) once an auction house fee known as buyer’s premium is added.
The scene in which Firth’s brooding heartthrob emerges from a pond, startling soon-to-be true love Elizabeth Bennet (Jennifer Ehle), was once voted the UK’s most memorable TV moment.