I'm an Australian author of contemporary and historical romances, plus history non-fiction. My books range from sexy to erotic, late 1700s to the mid 1800s, and with a dash of Australia thrown into the mix. My heroes and heroines challenge tradition and my stories often expose the seamier levels of life. I now live in a sunny part of Australia after spending many years in developing countries in the South Pacific. My greatest loves are traveling, anywhere and everywhere, meeting crazy characters, and visiting the Australian outback. I hope my books bring history alive and you have fun adventuring with my roguish heroes and feisty heroines.
1810 Silk Brocade Waistcoat. Cream silk twill with a polychrome floral brocade stripe having narrow double breast, fold-down collar and wide lapel, black wool-covered buttons, straight pockets, cotton back and lining. The gentlemen of Jane Austen’s acquaintance would have worn waistcoats like this. via Christie’s Auction Rooms. christies.com
1800s Early Women’s Half Boots, British, as worn by Jane Austen and her family and the Bridgerton ladies. Walking was encouraged for women so lace-up half-boots became a popular replacement for flimsy slippers for outdoor wear. Made of nankeen, a durable, yellow-colored, natural cotton from China or from colored leather. via Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK. collections.vam.ac.uk
In Bridgerton and Jane Austen years, people were encouraged to partake in outdoor pursuits to maintain good health so walking became a daily pastime. Fragile slippers were worn for balls and evening events but for walking sturdier shoes were needed, In the early 1800s, these were typically made of leather, had a very small heel, slightly rounded toes and were laced up on the top.
1804 London Hairstyles,Turbans and Hats. Gold, Pink, and White With Feathers. Jane Austen and her friends would have worn gorgeous hats and turbans like these. via Fashion Plate via Fashions of London and Paris, Published By Richard Phillips, St. Paul’s Church Yard, London, UK.
1800-1810 ca. Gown, dark green taffeta, square neckline, long sleeves. the type of high-waisted dress worn across Europe in Jane Austen’s time. Gemeentemuseum Den Haag
1840 ca. Silver sewing chatelaine, Russian. With tiny coin purse, scissors, writing and sewing tools.
Definition
What did a chatelaine do?
What were chatelaines used for?
1813 Spa Terrace. From: Poetical Sketches of Scarborough. Meant as souvenirs and not intended for publication. By Thomas Rowlandson & Aquatint by John Bluck and Joseph Stadler. Via Wikimedia Commons commons.wikimedia.org (PD-ART) Spa towns were very fashionable retreats from London’s pollution for people in Jane Austen’s times.
1850–1859 ca. Silk Whalebone and Steel Corset, French. Pale green watered silk corset with black flossing and contrast stitching. via Fine Arts Museums Of San Francisco https://art.famsf.org
1820 ca. Groups of Dandies fashionably dressed. Hand Colored etching. Published By J. Le Petit, Dublin, U.K. Via British Museum, London, UK. britishmuseum.org (PD-Art)
A dandy is a man who places a lot of importance on his appearance, on having refined language living his life in a leisurely manner. A dandy didn’t have to be an aristocrat. He could also be a middle class man or a self-made man of wealth who could afford to place all his emphasis on his clothing and his leisure time.
1908 Silk and Rubber Corset, French. Front fastening, front suspenders, and back lacing. Made For C. F. Hovey & Co., Boston. Label: The Paris. Marking: label “7.50, Made in France, Véritable Baleine, Brévété S.G.D.G., Best Whalebone THE PARIS, Made in France, expressly or C.F. Hovey and Co., Boston.” stamped on bone lining of corset]; “Corset de Paris” paper label via Metropolitan Museum, NYC, USA Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Earl Rowe, 1951 Accession Number: C.I.51.15.25a, b
1800 March London Full Dresses With Trains, English. Two ladies in white dresses with trains. Black head drape and black shawl on one could be half mourning, with the pink shawl overlaid for color. The other in evening dress has a high plume on her turban, grand parure, or matching set of jewelry, and a gorgeous white reticule, or bag, with orange spots, tassels and cords. Fashion Plate via Fashions of London and Paris, Published By Richard Phillips, St. Paul’s Church Yard, London, UK.
