Definition Ridicule, Reticule, Indispensable, or Handbag: <\/strong>From the late 1700s, pockets could no longer be sewn into <\/strong>gowns, as skirts fell from just under the bust and were full and flowing. Instead, women began carrying small bags, known at first as ridicules and later as reticules, to keep necessary items on their person e.g. handkerchiefs, coins, vinaigrettes, calling cards, glasses etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Definition Empire Style Dress:\u00a0 <\/strong>Named after the First Empire in France. Empire dresses had a low neckline and 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 high-waisted dress was worn most days. Cotton, silk or taffeta were the popular fabrics. Only the very wealthy could afford white dress in this style as the cottons were imported from India and had to be carefully cleaned, usually by a lady’s maid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"1816](\"https:\/\/www.suzilove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1816_WalkingDressWithPrettypinkspence_CP_Sml.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n1816 Pink Spencer Over Short Length White Walking Dress in Bridgerton and Jane Austen style. #bridgerton #RegencyFashion #JaneAusten #HistoricalFashion books2read.com\/SuziLoveFashionWomen1815-1819 <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n![\"HN_28_D2D_Fashion](\"https:\/\/www.suzilove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/hn_28_d2d_fsshionwomen-1815-1819.png\")
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