1807 Fashionable French Couple. Man: Blue cutaway coat and yellow breeches. Lady: Lemon and blue dress and bonnet. Typical of the ensembles worn by Jane Austen and her family and friends. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1817 Couple In Jane Austen and Bridgerton style Walking Dress and Gentleman in Same Green Redingote.
Lady: Blue satin Spencer over a white dress with puffed trimming around hem, pink bonnet, white ruff and tucker. Man: Long green Redingote, or overcoat, in the English style. Long brown trousers, striped waistcoat or vest, top hat, gloves and boots. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien. Definition Redingote Or Coat Or Pelisse: Long fitted outdoor coat worn over other garments for warmth. French word developed from English words, riding coat. French fashion plates call these coats a Redingote and English plates call them a Pelisse, Or Walking Dress, or Carriage Costume. 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.
This same Fashion Plate is seen below for the gentleman.
1811 The Five Positions Of Dancing. An analysis of Country Dancing and all the figures ever used in country dances, etc. By Thomas Wilson, London. The figures show the positions of the Larner and the feet of a finished Dancer during the early 1800s, or the years of the Bridgerton family, or during Jane Austen’s writing years in England. Via British Library, London, UK. www.bl.uk
1807 Gentleman’s Blue Tailcoat, French. White breeches, black boots topped with large tan strip, black hat and a cane. Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
French fashions and Georgian and Regency Era fashions from Great Britain were copied around the world. This is what men wore in the times of Jane Austen for city and country life.
1815 Long Blue Overcoat with brown fur trim, white trousers, scarf, top hat and a cane. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien. I can picture Jane Austen’s male friends and family and the Bridgerton men wearing this gorgeous coat when out walking or driving in the park.
1800-1815 ca. Vest, Or Waistcoat, French. Embroidery with spangles and a standing collar. Vests gave a layer of protection from the elements and a fashion arena, as early 1800s coats were either cutaway or designed to be left open in the front. Typical Style of Early 1800s Vest: Standing collar, straight cut, front pockets, heavily embroidered and with tiny spangles to accentuate. via Metropolitan Museum, N.Y.C., U.S.A. metmuseum.org
Typical of a gentleman’s waistcoat, or vest, worn during the early 1800s, or Regency Era, or Jane Austen’s times with a standing collar, straight cut, front pockets, and heavily embroidered with tiny spangles to accentuate.
1815 June 15th ‘Behold at Brook’s Club, London. By George Cruikshank. Sir Thomas Stepney standing under the porch of Brooks’s Club in St. James’s Street, London. Double door with glass panels is behind him. Right hand in his breeches pocket, round hat with low crown, double-breasted tail-coat, double-breasted waistcoat, small stock, knee-breeches, and striped stockings with pumps. Via British Museum, London, UK. britishmuseum.org (PD-Art)
Caricatures were pasted to the windows of newspapers and shops in the Era of Jane Austen and the Bridgertons.
1803 Dark Blue Wool Greatcoat, English. Typical gentlemen’s coat worn during the early 1800s, or Regency Era, or Jane Austen’s times. Slim fitting, double-breasted coat with notched collar, silk velvet collar. Gilt buttons by Charles Jennens, London button maker. Tailored by John Weston of 38 Old Bond Street, London, U.K. The Prince of Wales was passionately interested in clothes and patronized London’s most skillful craftsmen e.g. Weston. via Museum of London, UK. museumoflondon.org.uk
1795-1805 ca. Green Silk and Metal Vest, Or Waistcoat, Probably French. The style of waistcoat worn by men in Jane Austen’s times. Interesting cross-over front and tasteful embroidery, standing collar, back has ties to adjust the fit. via Metropolitan Museum, N.Y.C., U.S.A. metmuseum.org
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