London Archives - Suzi Love

1825 Auction Mart in Bartholomew Lane, London, in Jane Austen and Bridgerton years. #bridgerton #JaneAusten #RegencyEra #London #BritishHistory

Posted on October 24, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 24, 2026

1825 Auction Mart, From Views of London. via Google Books.

The View from the end of St. Bartholomew Lane (at the union of Lothbury and Throgmorton Street), to the entrance into the Royal Exchange at the opposite extremity, has many attractions. Immediately on the left is the Auction Mart, a building which possesses considerable architectural pretensions. It was erected in the year 1808-9, for the public sale of all sorts of Property, and has since had a literary Institution engrafted un the original Establishment.

At some distance, on the same aide, is the principal Avenue, through Capel Court, to the Stock Exchange; and still further, the Church of St. Bartholomew, built in the year 1670. On the right, the eastern front of the Bank of England, which has been lately repaired and much improved, occupies the entire space to the corner of Threadneedle Street: the entrance to the Rotunda. where stockjobbers, &c. carry on their dealings in British Securities, being about the centre of the range, and nearly opposite the Stock Exchange. The View is terminated by a portion of the north elevation of the Royal Exchange, over which the new Tower and Cupola, surmounting the south front of the same Building, and finished in 1824, is conspicuous.

What a scene of even species of Traffic—of the exchange of every denomination of Commodity, and every representative of Wealth—beneath a single glance of eye! Under certain effects and aspects the pictorial correspond in interest and grandeur with the other impressive features of this View.

1825 Auction Mart, St. Bartholomew Lane, London, U.K.

RL_1_D2D_Regency Overview RetailerLinks
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What was fashionable for women in late 1700s? Extravagant colors, outrageous styles and flamboyant fashions. #GeorgianEra #GeorgianFashion #nonfiction #amwriting

Posted on October 24, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 19, 2026

What was fashionable for women in the late 1700s? Extravagant colors and fabrics and outrageous styles were all seen in these flamboyant fashions. #Georgian #nonfiction #amwriting books2read.com/suziloveFashWomen1700s

Definition: 18th Century Late Women’s Fashions: A conical body shape was still fashionable while the shape of the skirts changed. The wide panniers which held the skirts out at the sides mostly disappeared by 1780 for all but the most formal court functions and false rumps, or bum-pads or hip-pads were worn for a time. A low-necked gown, usually called in French a robe, was worn over a petticoat and most gowns had skirts that opened in front to show the petticoat worn beneath. As part of the general simplification of dress, the open bodice with a separate stomacher was replaced by a bodice with edges that met center front. Strapless stays which still were cut high at the armpit, to encourage a woman to stand with her shoulders slightly back, a fashionable posture. The fashionable shape was a rather conical torso, with large hips. The waist was not particularly small. Stays were usually laced snugly, but comfortably. Shoes had high, curved heels (the origin of modern “louis heels”) and were made of fabric or leather. Shoe buckles remained fashionable until they were abandoned along with high-heeled footwear and other aristocratic fashions in the years after the French Revolution.

HN_1_D2D_Fashion Women 1700s
books2read.com/suziloveFashWomen1700s — HN_1 Fashion Women Late 1700s History Notes Book 1 by Suzi Love. What was fashionable for women in the late 1700s? Extravagant colors and fabrics and outrageous styles were all seen in these flamboyant fashions. books2read.com/suziloveFashWomen1700s

1830-1850 Romantic Era Corsets Provided Support and Gave Fashionable Silhouette. #Corset #RomanticEra #HistoricalFashion

Posted on October 24, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 21, 2026

Corsets 1830-1850 History Notes Book 18 This book shows how corsets changed to both provide support and also fit well under clothing to give a fashionable silhouette. Corsets started being a fashion item, rather than simply underclothing to be hidden. Romantic Era women’s fashionable corsets. Corsets worn from 1830-1850, or the Romantic Era of fashion.

Information or drawings on corsets through both the Regency and Romantic Eras is difficult as underwear wasn’t shown in British publications for modesty sake, and only occasionally seen in French magazines. Therefore, most of our knowledge about corsets from the Regency and Romantic Eras is through actual garments, especially those donated to museums. Surviving corsets show that shorter corsets weren’t as common and corsets were generally of a longer length. Many of these corsets were still front fastening, plus many were laced at both the front and the back so our aristocratic fictional heroines could indeed dress and undress themselves without the assistance of a maid.

Corset makers became more skilled and cut garments much better, so the body was controlled and shaped by the cut and grain of the fabric. They developed long corded corsets to suit the classical gowns of the period. A wooden busk was created to help keep the undergarment garment lay flat and to lift and separate the breasts. Busks stopped women from bending at the waist, which encouraged good posture.

HN_18_Corsets 1830-1850 History Notes Book 18 This book shows how corsets changed to both provide support and also fit well under clothing to give a fashionable silhouette. Corsets started being a fashion item, rather than simply underclothing to be hidden. Romantic Era women's fashionable corsets. Corsets worn from 1830-1850, or the Romantic Era of fashion. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveCorsetBook18

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What was fashionable in Bridgerton and Jane Austen’s times? Mourning, riding, daytime, evening fashion plus underclothing. #Bridgerton #JaneAusten #RegencyFashion

Posted on October 23, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 22, 2026

Fashion Women 1810-1814 History Notes Book 27 What was fashionable for women in Jane Austen’s times? Mourning, riding, daytime, evening clothing, plus underclothing, corsets and accessories. This book looks at what was fashionable for women in Jane Austen’s times, or the early 1800s, or the Regency Era in Britain. Wars were being fought around the globe so women’s fashion adopted a military look in support of soldiers. Fashions, like the lifestyle, became progressively more extravagant and accessories went from colorful to over-the-top.

The Lady’s Magazine said of the basis of women’s fashion that was popular for the first twenty years of the 1800s, ‘White is still the prevailing color for robes. For morning dresses, linen gowns, in large diamonds or squares, are fashionable. Indian muslins, plain or embroidered, are preferred to Florence and satins. The designs of embroidery for shawls are of infinite variety. Long gloves, which reach above the elbow, are not yet laid aside. Medallions are hung around the neck from crossed chains and some of these medallions are shaped like the bags, called ridicules. These reticules are of the lozenge or hexagon shape, with a small tassel at each angle. Reticules, or ridicules, are in lozenge or hexagon shapes with a small tassel at each angle. In capotes, or hats, and ribbands, the violet and dark green prevail over jonquil. Bracelets in hair, pear-shaped ear-rings, medallions on square plates, saltiers of colored stones, are still in fashion.’

These are the types of outfits worn by Jane Austen and contemporaries in English magazines, where French fashions were obsessively copied despite the two countries being at war for many years. In Jane Austen’s years, she and her contemporaries spent a lot of time walking outdoors. People were encouraged to partake in outdoor pursuits to maintain good health. 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.

HN_27_History Notes book 27 What was fashionable for women in Jane Austen's times? Mourning, riding, daytime, evening clothing, plus underclothing, corsets and accessories. Wars were being fought so women adopted military looks in support of soldiers. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashion1810-1814

HN_27_D2D_fashwomen1810-1814
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1817 June Lady Reading Wearing Bridgerton Or Jane Austen Style Morning Dress and Marlborough Cap. #Bridgerton #RegencyEra #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion

Posted on October 21, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 21, 2026

1817 June Morning Dress as worn in Bridgerton and Jane Austen’s times in England. A round dress composed of jaconet muslin; the bottom of the skirt is trimmed with an intermixture of tucks and embroidery. The body is perfectly novel, it is a three-quarter height, and displays the whole of the throat and a little of the neck: it is composed of the same material as the dress, and is formed to the shape, in a manner at once singular and becoming, by bands of letting-in lace; it is also profusely ornamented with lace, which is set on very full. Long full sleeve, the fullness confined by a tasteful cuff, which is finished by a lace ruffle. Head-dress the Marlborough cap, composed of white lace, ornamented with full-blown roses and blush colored satin ribbon. For the form of this elegant cap, which is perfectly in the English style, we refer our readers to our print. The hair is parted in front so as to display a little of the forehead, and curled lightly over the temples. Necklace and ear-rings white cornelian mixed with gold. White kid slippers and gloves. We are indebted to the elegant taste of Mrs. Marchant of 40, Gerrard-street, Soho, for both our dresses this month. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann’s ‘The Repository of Arts’.

Definition Morning or At-Home Dress: Loose and comfortable dress and soft lace cap to be worn at home for reading, painting, sewing or for walking in the garden. To be seen by family, servants and close friends. Not accessorized enough to be out in the wider public, although the pretty pink roses and trim on the cap suggest this outfit may have been worn for receiving visitors at home.

1817 June Morning Dress as worn in Jane Austen's times in England. A round dress composed of jaconet muslin; the bottom of the skirt is trimmed with an intermixture of tucks and embroidery. The body is perfectly novel, it is a three-quarter height, and displays the whole of the throat and a little of the neck: it is composed of the same material as the dress, and is formed to the shape, in a manner at once singular and becoming, by bands of letting-in lace; it is also profusely ornamented with lace, which is set on very full. Long full sleeve, the fullness confined by a tasteful cuff, which is finished by a lace ruffle. Head-dress the Marlborough cap, composed of white lace, ornamented with full-blown roses and blush colored satin ribbon. For the form of this elegant cap, which is perfectly in the English style, we refer our readers to our print. The hair is parted in front so as to display a little of the forehead, and curled lightly over the temples. Necklace and ear-rings white cornelian mixed with gold. White kid slippers and gloves. We are indebted to the elegant taste of Mrs. Marchant of 40, Gerrard-street, Soho, for both our dresses this month. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann's 'The Repository of Arts'.
https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

HN_28_D2D_Fashion Women 1815-1819
https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819 — Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 What did Jane Austen wear? . D2D_HN_28_https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

18th Century Mid. Gentleman’s Toiletry Nécessaire Of Shagreen and Tortoiseshell, England. #GeorgianEra #Travel #Antiques

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 19, 2026

18th Century Mid. Nécessaire, London, England. Wood, shagreen, silk, tortoiseshell with gold mounts, steel. Includes: pen knife, beard trimmer, scissors, bottles, paper cutter, 6 razors, hone, strop. via Metropolitan Museum New York City, U.S.A. metmuseum.org

Definition Shagreen: A type of rawhide, or rough untanned skin, originally made from the back of a horse or a wild donkey. In the 18th century, the skin of a shark or stingray also began to be called shagreen.

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1816 June Blue Wool Riding Dress With High Waist As Worn by the Bridgertons and Jane Austen. #Bridgerton #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #RidingFashion

Posted on October 20, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 19, 2026

1816. June Blue Merino wool riding dress with high waist and embroidered and ornamented round the bust and cuffs and fastens on the back of the shoulder. Double ruff of fine Vandyke lace is separated from shirt collar by a Chinese silk handkerchief of blue and white. Small round hat made of fine beaver or moss silk, the half boots are of blue kid with Limerick gloves worked and seamed with blue and she is carrying a riding whip. These riding habits were usually designed by men and were in two pieces, a jacket and a skirt, worn over a shirt but this is in one piece and the full skirt falls from directly under the bust. Fashion Plate via John Belle’s La Belle Assemblée or, Bell’s Court and Fashionable Magazine, London.

Typical of the riding costumes worn by Jane Austen’s female contemporaries. The style is still in the Empire fashion of a high-waist with the full skirt falling from just under the bust and with a frill and small decorations on the wrists and shoulders to make it look unique.

Definition: Riding Habit: Early 1800s riding habits copied men’s riding fashion and so were often in two pieces. A close-fitting jacket, skirt with a train, and worn over a shirt, or with a fichu covering the neck. The skirt had either a waistband, or straps over the shoulders, to keep it in place. Some habits were made as one piece with the skirt and bodice joined or as a high-waisted dress. Most women’s riding habits were designed by men, rather than female modistes.

Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 What did women in Jane Austen’s and the Bridgerton’s years wear? This book looks at what was fashionable for women in the Georgian Era and at the end of the Regency Era in Britain and the reconstruction in Europe after the wars. Lifestyles were freer and fashions expressed this by becoming the focus of most women’s lives. A wardrobe full of opulent accessories was requisite. Includes mourning and riding fashion, dresses, hats, shoes, reticules or bags, underclothing, and fashion accessories. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

1816. June Blue Merino wool riding dress with high waist and embroidered and ornamented round the bust and cuffs and fastens on the back of the shoulder. Double ruff of fine Vandyke lace is separated from shirt collar by a Chinese silk handkerchief of blue and white. Small round hat made of fine beaver or moss silk, the half boots are of blue kid with Limerick gloves worked and seamed with blue and she is carrying a riding whip. These riding habits were usually designed by men and were in two pieces, a jacket and a skirt, worn over a shirt but this is in one piece and the full skirt falls from directly under the bust. Fashion Plate via John Belle's La Belle Assemblée or, Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine, London https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

1820 Short Sleeved Ball Gown of Embroidered Silk Net, British. #RegencyFashion #Historicalfashion #sewing

Posted on October 19, 2026 by Suzi LoveSeptember 29, 2026

1820 Ball Gown of Embroidered Net, British. Silk satin and silk net embroidered with metal and trimmed with silk blonde bobbin lace, hand sewn. Short-sleeved ball gown comprising of an underdress of silk satin and an overdress of machine-made silk net embroidered with metal and trimmed with blonde bobbin lace. The dress has a low oval neckline, puffed short sleeves, a wedge shaped front bodice panel, and a medium high waist. The skirt has a central front panel, wedge shaped panels and the centre back panels are tightly gathered at the waist.

From the Museum Curator: ‘Women saved their most elaborate dresses for special occasions such as balls. Lavish gowns embellished with gold thread or sparkling beads glittered in the artificial light of the dancing room. Thin, gauzy materials created a soft dreamy look. These light materials also prevented the wearer from getting too hot while dancing in stuffy, overcrowded spaces’. Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK

1820 1. Front Hem Ball Gown of Embroidered Net, British. Puffed short sleeves, underdress of silk satin, overdress of machine-made silk net embroidered with metal and trimmed with blonde bobbin lace. Low oval neckline, wedge shaped front bodice panel and medium high waist, or, not quite Empire line. collections.vam.ac.uk

1820 2. Back Ball Gown of Embroidered Net, British. Puffed short sleeves, underdress of silk satin, overdress of machine-made silk net embroidered with metal and trimmed with blonde bobbin lace. Low oval neckline, wedge shaped front bodice panel and medium high waist, or, not quite Empire line. collections.vam.ac.uk

Fan of the Bridgerton Series? Jane Austen Lover? Writer Or Reader Of Regency Era? What did they wear in early 1800s? #bridgerton #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion

Posted on October 18, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 17, 2026

Writer Or Reader Of Regency Era?What did Jane Austen and friends wear? Women’s clothing changed dramatically in early 1800s. New silhouette copied simplistic styles of Greeks and Romans. High-waisted white dresses and flowing skirts with color and warmth added by outerwear and accessories. Fashion Women 1801-1804 History Notes Book 25 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804

Definition Empire Style Dress: High-waisted white gowns defined women’s fashion during the Regency Era. ‘Empire’ is the name given to the period when Napoleon Bonaparte built his French Empire. High-waisted, loose gowns were adopted by the aristocracy as a symbol of turning away from the elaborate clothing worn in the 1700s. This sort of high-waisted dress would have been worn by Jane Austen and her contemporaries in England.

Definition Shawls: The shawl started off in India as a fine wool garment for men that could be worn as a scarf, turban or as a mantle: the word comes from the Persian shäl. Originally imported from the East, European Kashmir shawls were made first in Norwich and Edinburgh in Britain in the late 18th century. Shawls were an essential item in the early 1800s to cover the thin gowns women wore. They were made of muslin, gauze, silk, wool, and velvet, though cashmere shawls were the softest and most prized.

HN_25_Fashion Women 1801-1804 History Notes Book 25 This book looks at the changes to women's clothing in the early 1800s and the move away from complicated styles and heavy fabrics. The new silhouette copied the simplistic styles of the Greeks and Romans. White dresses were high-waisted and skirts were flowing, with color and warmth added by outwear and accessories. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804 — Fashion Women 1801-1804 History Notes Book 25
This book looks at the changes to women’s clothing in the early 1800s and the move away from complicated styles and heavy fabrics. The new silhouette copied the simplistic styles of the Greeks and Romans. White dresses were high-waisted and skirts were flowing, with color and warmth added by outwear and accessories.
https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804

HN_25_Fashion Women 1801-1804
https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804

1815 First Quadrille at Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London. #Regency #JaneAusten #Dancing

Posted on October 17, 2026 by Suzi LoveOctober 13, 2026

1815 The First Quadrille at Almack’s Assembly Rooms, London. Left to Right: Marquis of Worcester, Lady Jersey, Clanronald MacDonald and Lady Worcester. “It was not until 1815 that Lady Jersey introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille, which has so long remained popular. I recollect the persons who formed the very first quadrille that was ever danced at Almack’s: they were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriett Butler, Lady Susan Ryde, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count St Aldegonde, Mr Montgomery, Mr Montague, and Charles Standish.” From The Reminiscences of Captain Gronow 1810-1860.

The patronesses of Almack’s controlled a lot of a young lady’s acceptance into English society in Jane Austen’s times. To be given a voucher and admitted to an assembly, there was an introduction into London’s polite society.

1815 Lady Jersey introduced the Quadrille from Paris. — Screenshot

1815 The First Quadrille at Almack's Assembly Rooms, London. Left to Right: Marquis of Worcester, Lady Jersey, Clanronald MacDonald and Lady Worcester. "It was not until 1815 that Lady Jersey introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille, which has so long remained popular. I recollect the persons who formed the very first quadrille that was ever danced at Almack's: they were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriett Butler, Lady Susan Ryde, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count St Aldegonde, Mr Montgomery, Mr Montague, and Charles Standish." From The Reminiscences of Captain Gronow 1810-1860.

D2D_RL_4_YLD_Young Lady's Day Regency Life Series Book 4 by Suzi Love. A light-hearted look at the longer Regency years and an easy to read view of what a young lady did, wore, and lived. https://books2read.com/suziloveYLD

Suzi Love

Making history fun, one year at a time.

Category Archives: London