Ladies clothing in the early 1800’s featured a high waist line called an Empire Line, or Empire style dress, with a waist line just under the natural bust line and much higher than the natural waist. The high-waisted, or short-bodied, Regency styles shifted focus away from the natural waist and so left the natural waist unconstricted, in direct contrast to previous and future styles. Britain took these simple European styles and progressively made them more elaborate by adding more and more complicated embroidery onto white fabrics to create the white on white look popular for many years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The empire look of fine muslin dresses left women more exposed than in the Georgian Era when fabrics had been thicker and styles bulkier. Women, especially in England, preserved their modesty by adding lace, frills, flounces, ruches, and fabric plaits to dresses to adequately cover any parts that might inadvertently be exposed. Outer layers, such as Spencers, Redingotes or Pelisses or coats, and shawls, were also added for warmth and to brighten outfits. This Empire fashion was totally dependent on a supply of fine, translucent cotton muslin \u2013 at first imported from India, then later, less exclusive imitations often woven and printed or embroidered in Britain. Fabrics were soft and lightweight and muslins and other cotton fabrics from India and other Asian countries were in high demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"HN_24_Fashion](\"https:\/\/www.suzilove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/HN_24_FashionWomen_StreetSceneBusShelter_Pink-1015x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\nLove the Bridgertons and Jane Austen? Mourning, riding, dresses, underclothing, accessories. History Notes Book 24 Box Set. #JaneAusten #RegencyFashion #HistoricalFashion https:\/\/books2read.com\/SuziLoveFashionWomenBoxSet <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n![\"HN_24_D2D](\"https:\/\/suzilove.files.wordpress.com\/2021\/07\/hn_24_d2d_fashionwomen1800-1819_boxset.png?w=829\")
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