Category Archives: 1800s women’s fashion

What did an older lady do in Jane Austen and Bridgerton Years? Lighthearted look at daily life for readers and writers of RegencyEra. #JaneAusten #Bridgerton #RegencyEra

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Older Lady’s Day, Regency Life Series, Book 5, by Suzi Love.  books2read.com/suziloveOLD

Light-Hearted look at an Older Lady’s Life In Jane Austen’s Times, or early 1800s. An easy to read overview of what an older lady did, wore, and how she lived in the early 19th Century. Information for history buffs and pictures for readers and writers of historical fiction.

The older lady’s day usually started with her toilette in her bedroom, where her maid helped her dress for the day and styled her hair. After that, she would join her family downstairs for breakfast unless she preferred a tray with either tea or hot chocolate in her bedroom as she prepared for her busy day. Her day would be made up of speaking with the housekeeper and the cook about the week’s menus, assuring that the servants were all available that day and no one was ill, and checking the list of foods needed. She would also enquire if the laundry was up to date and that they had enough good linen to make up all the beds before extended family members and guests arrived. If she was in the country and hosting a weekend house party, she would assign rooms to the guests on her lists and query that all was in readiness for their arrival.

RKL_5_What did an older lady do and wear in #RegencyEra? Information & pictures for readers and writers of #History #nonfiction #Regency books2read.com/suziloveOLD
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1805 Typical Regency Era, or Early 1800s, Muslin Dress With Palm Tree Embroidery. #JaneAusten #RegencyFashion #HistoricalFashion

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1805 Typical Regency Era, or Early 1800s, Muslin Dress. Long sleeves, square neckline, and decorated with Palm Tree embroidery. via Whitaker Auction.

Definition Empire Style:  Named after the First Empire in France, by 1800 Empire dresses had a very low décolleté, or neckline and a short narrow backed bodice attached to a separate skirt. Skirts started directly under the bust and flowed into the classical relaxed wide styles of Greece and Rome. This style of dress is associated with Jane Austen and her contemporaries as a simple cotton high-waisted dress was worn most days and accessorized according to the importance of the occasion.

1805 Typical Regency Era, or Early 1800s, Muslin Dress. Long sleeves, square neckline, and decorated with Palm Tree embroidery. via Whitaker Auction whitakerauction.smugmug.com Typical of the Empire dresses worn by Jane Austen and her contemporaries. Square necklines, long sleeves, and skirts that started directly under the bust and flowed into the classical relaxed wide styles of Greece and Rome. These high-waisted dresses were worn most days and cotton, silk or taffeta were the popular fabrics.
HN_26_D2D Fashion Women 1805-1809 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809
Fashion Women 1805-1809 History Notes Book 26 What did Jane Austen and friends wear? https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809

1806 Red Velvet Redingote, White Fur Fichu and Matching Red Hat As Worn In Jane Austen’s Time. #RegencyEra #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion #hats

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1806 Red Velvet Redingote, French. Short puffed sleeves over long straight sleeves, white fur Fichu, or shoulder shawl, interesting matching hat with white satin trim. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.

Redingotes or Pelisses were needed to cover the flimsy dresses made of lightweight fabrics of the Regency years to provide warmth and some protection from windy conditions when gowns might lift and cause modesty issues. Jane Austen and her contemporaries often walked to places and so would have needed the warmth of a Pelisse or coat in the cold British winters. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809

1806 Red Velvet Redingote, French. Short puffed sleeves over long straight sleeves, white fur Fichu, or shoulder shawl, interesting matching hat with white satin trim. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
HN_26_D2D Fashion Women 1805-1809 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809
Fashion Women 1805-1809 History Notes Book 26 What did Jane Austen and friends wear? https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809

1804 Jane Austen style Fashionable Hats, Hairstyles and Dresses. #RegencyFashion #Hats #JaneAusten

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1804 Jane Austen style Fashionable Hats, Hairstyles and Dresses. From: 1804 The Ladies’ Own Memorandum Book. via Google Books. (PD-180) https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804

1804 Jane Austen style Fashionable Hats, Hairstyles and Dresses. From: 1804 The Ladies' Own Memorandum Book. via Google Books. (PD-180) https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804
HN_25_D2D_Fashion Women 1801-1804 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1801-1804
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1838 White Cotton Hand Quilted Petticoat. #HistoricalFashion #RomanticEra #Underclothing

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1838 White Cotton Hand Quilted Petticoat. Diamond pattern with flower and vine quilted hem band.   via August Auction.

under_1838 Hand Quilted Cotton Petticoat. White diamond hand quilting with a flower and vine hem panel. via Augusta Auction
HN_28_D2D_Fashion Women 1815-1819 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819
Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

Do you love Jane Austen and Bridgerton fashions? Corsets Or Stays Worn During the Early 1800s, or Regency Era, Book 17 History Notes #Bridgerton #JaneAusten #RegencyFashion #Corsets

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This book shows how corsets changed to fit well under clothing, give maximum support and comfort. Corsets pushed up breasts and showed off the bust line beneath a square-cut and low-cut neckline as in the early 1800s, or Regency years. Jane Austen and her female and friends wore these corsets. Corsets or stays worn during the early 1800s, or Jane Austen’s lifetime. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveCorsetBook17

The main purpose of corsets was to support and shape the breasts. Though they still slimmed the midriff, this was not the prime purpose of a corset between 1810 and 1830. The waistlines of dresses were lowering to below the bust line but nearer to the true waist, so corsets were longer and were given added shaping by stitching and cording and by shaping the breasts with pleated or gathered cups.

HN_17_Corsets 1810-1830 History Notes Book 17 This book shows how corsets changed to fit well under clothing, give maximum support and comfort. Corsets pushed up breasts and showed off the bust line beneath a square-cut and low-cut neckline as in the early 1800s, or Regency years. Jane Austen and her female and friends wore these corsets. Corsets or stays worn during the early 1800s, or Jane Austen's lifetime. https://books2read.com/SuziLoveCorsetBook17
HN_17_D2D_Corset_1810-1830 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveCorsetBook17
HN_17_D2D_Corset_1810-1830

1816 November. Bridgerton and Jane Austen High-waisted, Striped Evening Dress With Short Puffed Sleeves. #bridgerton #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten

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1816 November. A lilac and white striped gauze dress over a white satin slip; the bottom of the skirt is ornamented with five rows of white silk trimming, of a very light and elegant description: it has just been introduced, and the patterns has more novelty than any thing we have seen for some time; a single flounce of deep blond lace completes the trimming. The body is also very novel; the upper part is formed of lace, and the lower of gauze, to correspond with the dress; the latter is quite tight to the shape, but the former has an easy fullness, which forms the shape in a manner extremely advantageous to the figure. The sleeve is short and very full; it is composed of lace, looped high, and finished by a trimming to correspond with that of the skirt. The hair is full dressed, without any ornament. Necklace, cross, armlets, and bracelets of rubies. White satin slippers, and white kid gloves.Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann’s ‘The Repository of Arts’.

Gorgeous Regency Era clothing came in a wide range of styles to suit every season and occasion. Ladies in Jane Austen’s times wore Empire style dresses which were usually of light fabric and floaty in style. By the later 1810s, stripes were very popular and lace and frills were added to make the dress more individual.

1816 November. High-waisted, Striped Evening Dress, English. Short puffed sleeves, shawl, long gloves, slippers, cross on a necklace and an upswept hair style. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann's 'The Repository of Arts'.
HN_28_D2D_Fashion Women 1815-1819 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819
Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

1808 Orange Redingote, Or Coat, Or Pelisse, With White Vertical Front Trim, French. #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion

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1808 Orange Redingote, or Pelisse, French. Walking dress with white vertical front trim and wearing a blue hat with three rows of lace trim hanging down to cover the face. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien. Jane Austen and her female contemporaries wore coats like these when outdoors because they needed the warmth over the fashionable light muslin dresses that all women wore. Redingotes could be both comfortable and decorative. They often had military elements in support of the thousands of men involved in ongoing wars.

Definition Redingote Or Pelisse Or Walking Dress Or Coat: Long fitted outdoor coat worn over other garments for warmth. Often left open at the front to show off the dress underneath. French word developed from English words, riding coat.

1808 Orange Redingote, or Pelisse, French. Walking dress with white vertical front trim and wearing a blue hat with three rows of lace trim hanging down to cover the face. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, Costume Parisien.
HN_26_D2D Fashion Women 1805-1809 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809
Fashion Women 1805-1809 History Notes Book 26 What did Jane Austen and friends wear? https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1805-1809

1820-1835 ca. Bridgerton and Jane Austen Style Woman’s Underwear Combination, English. #JaneAusten #RegencyFashion #Bridgerton #Underwear. #HistoricalFashion

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1820-1835 ca. Woman’s Underwear Combination, English. This style of underwear was worn during the Jabe Austen and Bridgerton years. Petticoat: 1820-1829 ca. Cotton with double row of piping round hem. Frontless with looped shoulder pieces. Corset: 1835: Cotton reinforced with whalebone and cording, hand-sewn. Shift Or Chemise:1830s Worn under corset. Drawers: Sheer clinging fabrics needed drawers underneath for modesty. via Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK.
collections.vam.ac.uk.

1820-1835 ca. Woman's Underwear Combination, English. Petticoat: 1820-1829 ca. Cotton with double row of piping round hem. Frontless with looped shoulder pieces. Corset: 1835: Cotton reinforced with whalebone and cording, hand-sewn. Shift Or Chemise:1830s Worn under corset. Drawers: Sheer clinging fabrics needed drawers underneath for modesty. via Suzi Love suzilove.com Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK. collections.vam.ac.uk.
HN_28_D2D_Fashion Women 1815-1819 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819
Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

1818 Descriptions for types of ‘DRESS’ during Bridgerton’s and Jane Austen’s years. #Bridgerton #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion

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1818 Descriptions for types of ‘DRESS’ during Bridgerton’s and Jane Austen’s years. Dresses, coats or Redingotes, Spencers, shawls, fichu or shoulder cape, shoes, hats and headdresses, gloves, and Reticules or bags were displayed in various fashion magazines and copied by ladies and their modistes.

  • Morning Dress:  Worn either at home, out shopping, or for walking in the park or country. Presentable but not overly accessorized. 
  • Afternoon Dress: Dress made from the best fabric and beautifully decorated to see and be seen in when visiting friends, going to a museum or attending a daytime public event.
  • Walking Dress: Worn out shopping, walking in a city park or the country estate. Presentable and warm, more fashionable than Morning Dress but accessorized for sun protection and warmth, rather than display.
  • Promenade Dress: Includes gown, hat, and other accessories and more styled and fashionable than morning or walking dress. An ensemble designed to see and be seen in. 
  • Evening Dress:  Minute distinctions between ball, dinner, evening and opera gowns meant different quality of fabrics, designs, and embellishments.
  • Ball Dress:  Gown of expensive silk fabrics, light or heavy, decorated with lace, embroidery or beading, with low-cut bodice, short or barely-there sleeves, and full skirts. Often shorter length skirt for dancing.
  • Mourning Dress: Mourning dress wasn’t as strict during the Regency as in Victorian era but periods of wearing black, white and grey were observed, especially for Royal deaths.
  • Empire Dress: Light and flowing dresses with waists just under bust worn during French Empire Period, or early 1800s.

Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 What did Jane Austen wear? What was fashionable for women in Regency Era? Mourning and riding fashion, dresses, hats, shoes, reticules or bags, underclothing and fashion accessories. books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819

1818 March Yellow Walking Dress, Or Pelisse, Or Redingote, English. Yellow pelisse with elaborately decorated hem, red draping shawl, red reticule or bag, high yellow bonnet trimmed with flowers and yellow shoes. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann's 'The Repository of Arts', London, U.K.
1818 March Yellow Walking Dress, Or Pelisse, Or Redingote, English.
Yellow pelisse with elaborately decorated hem, red draping shawl,
red reticule or bag, high yellow bonnet trimmed with flowers and yellow shoes. Fashion Plate via Rudolph Ackermann’s ‘The Repository of Arts’, London, U.K.
1818 Red Evening Dress, French. Low cut bodice with white short sleeves, long white gloves, black velvet torque, or hat, with white plumes, necklace and a handkerchief. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1818 Red Evening Dress, French. Low cut bodice with white short sleeves, long white gloves, black velvet torque, or hat, with white plumes, necklace and a handkerchief. Fashion Plate via Journal des Dames et des Modes, or Costume Parisien.
1818 January Walking and Evening Dress, English. Probably for Mourning. Long black coat with waist length cape and fur at neck, high black hat with feathers. White dress with black trim, white shawl, upswept evening hairstyle and black jewelry. Via Dean & Munday, Threadneedle Street, London, UK.
1818 January Walking and Evening Dress, English. Probably for Mourning. Long black coat with waist length cape and fur at neck, high black hat with feathers. White dress with black trim, white shawl, upswept evening hairstyle and black jewelry. Via Dean & Munday, Threadneedle Street, London, UK.
1818 White Morning Dress, English. Puffed capped sleeves, lace shawl like neckline, ornate bodice cording around a scalloped hem, small white hat with blue flowers, and yellow gloves. Fashion Plate via John Belle's 'La Belle Assemblee', London.
1818 White Morning Dress, English. Puffed capped sleeves, lace shawl like neckline, ornate bodice cording around a scalloped hem, small white hat with blue flowers, and yellow gloves. Fashion Plate via John Belle’s ‘La Belle Assemblee’, London.
1818 Promenade Dress, English. White dress with multiple layers of lace from hem upwards. Narrow striped scarf of bright colors, large brimmed hat decorated with flowers and a pink parasol. Fashion Plate via John Belle's La Belle Assemblée or, Bell's Court and Fashionable Magazine, London.
1818 Promenade Dress, English. White dress with multiple layers of lace from hem upwards. Narrow striped scarf of bright colors, large brimmed hat decorated with flowers and a pink parasol. Fashion Plate via John Belle’s La Belle Assemblée or, Bell’s Court and Fashionable Magazine, London.
1818 March White Opera Dress, England. Very low cut bodice and sleeves, green sleeve and hem decoration, green paisley shawl, interesting scholar's hat, long white gloves and evening shoes. Fashion Plate via Lady’s Magazine.
1818 March White Opera Dress, England. Very low cut bodice and sleeves, green sleeve and hem decoration, green paisley shawl, interesting scholar’s hat, long white gloves and evening shoes. Fashion Plate via Lady’s Magazine.
HN_28_D2D_Fashion Women 1815-1819 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819
Fashion Women 1815-1819 History Notes Book 28 https://books2read.com/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819