We all, as readers and as writers, have a picture of the elegantly dressed people of the Regency era in our minds.
The picture comes from a variety of sources--Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, perhaps Ackermann's Repository of the Arts.
A picture of people like these:
The picture comes from a variety of sources--Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, perhaps Ackermann's Repository of the Arts.
A picture of people like these:
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These are the epitome of the well-dressed aristocracy at the height of the Regency, say 1815. Once the fashionable had abandoned the ladies' hoops and panniers, and the gentlemen's brocades and clocked stockings, fashion settled into a more predictable mode. Nevertheless it did have an evolution of its own over the years. |
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| From the classical simplicity of 1800 to the subtle enhancements of 1805:: | ||
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"How often do we see simplicity and youthful loveliness obscured by a redundancy of ornaments!" |
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| From the subtleties of 1805 to the embellishments of 1810: | ||
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"...in the present style of female dress, (there is) a want of that proper distinction which should ever be attended to in the several degrees of costume." |
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| From the trimmings of 1810 to the flourishes of 1815-1820: | ||
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"A walking-dress cannot be constructed too simply." |
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"Dress is the natural finish of beauty. Without dress a handsome person is a gem, but a gem that is not set." |
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"...it is not she who spends the most time at her toilet that is usually the best dressed; a too zealous care generally
subverts the effect it was meant to produce. It is very easy to 'varnish till the painting disappears'." |
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 "On such occasions (ceremonious visits or evening parties), as well as at the theatre and opera, richly laced caps, with flowers, toques, or turbans, may be worn with propriety." |
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Their accessories and costume details: |
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 "The long sleeve belongs with strict propriety only to the domestic habit (excepting in spencers and redingotes, and pelisses)" |
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"To women of the most exalted as well as of the more humble ranks, we recommend a moderate, rather than a profuse, display of conspicuous and showy ornaments. ...regulate the adoption or rejection of striking decoration." "Clear brunettes shine with the greatest lustre when they adopt pearls, diamonds, topazes, and bright amber. The fair beauty may also wear all these with advantage, while she exclusively claims as her own, emeralds, garnets, amethysts, rubies, onyxes, etc. Cornelian, coral, and jet, may be worn by either; but certainly produce the most pleasing effect on the rose and lily complexion." |
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Their style--increasingly decorated from the neoclassical look of 1800 to the flourishes of 1820: |
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"As a walking habit, we know of none in summer which is more graceful than the light-flowing shade of lace or finest muslin." |
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"Some ladies seek for notoriety by wearing the oddest patterns and colours they can find, and adopting the most outre fashions the moment they are announced." |
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"...a diversity of colours bespeaks vulgarity of taste, and a mind without innate elegance or acquired culture." |
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"Women no longer consult their figures, but the whim of the moment...every consideration must yield to the prevailing mode." |
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And now a closer look at the gentlemen: |
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Their accessories and costume details: |
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Snuffbox above Banyan below |
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| "Dark men, of bilious complexions, it must be remarked, generally look wretched in the extreme, in white neckcloths; while to fair men, they are very becoming." | "Of all portions of the male costume, however, most attention, perhaps, should be directed to the linen;
if this be soiled, the appearance of the finest dress that was ever made is instantly destroyed;..." |
"The hat, to look well, should always have a look of newness, as no one article of dress casts a greater gloom over the rest than a shabby hat." |
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"...one slight piece of advice, which is, to avoid all unnecessary display and glitter; but, on the contrary, rather to seek to show an elegant simplicity..." |
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Their style--more and more simple as the century advanced: |
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above Beau Brummell by Tom Tierney left & below dandies by Daniel Maclise |
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"This (full dress) dress, in fashionable circles, is always worn at dinner, and during the evening; n and consists of a dress coat, pantaloons, pumps, and silk stockings, a white cravat, white cambric handkerchief, and light kid gloves." |
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