Monday, October 20, 2014

Dress Like Jane Austen--Part 3--And Giveaway!

We've looked at women's and men's costume in the past two months, and now we get to zero in on a few details of the gowns. This is just a brief spotlight. For those interested, I'll leave a couple of links at the bottom of the post to books that give more in-depth details and study of Regency costume.

So, back to the JASNA Gala Ball, the source of my photos for the past three months' posts.
 I couldn't help noticing the lovely workmanship that went into the upper portion, or bodice, of a woman's gown, even the back. The Empire style (which reigned throughout the regency) certainly is a huge part of the appeal, but the fabric and craftsmanship really made the difference between a standard dress and an exquisite one, a difference which could be seen even from a rear view.

Even the back of the bodice is lovely and elegant.

A beautiful example of how lovely the bodice can be; again, even from the rear.

This is a "Wow"

Sweet and simple, though the waistline is rather low.

Doesn't appear to be an Empire waist, but sweet colors. 


If the date hadn't been given ("1815-1817"), I would not have been able to correctly date this gown--it does not have an Empire waist.   I'm not an expert, but in my opinion this is just wrong! Otherwise, the style and material are certainly fetching. 

The bonnet (an elaborate cap) that matches the above dress. In the rear: A redingote, which in this case, is like a caped pelisse. (The term 'redingote,' is actually the result of "reborrowing," in which one word or phrase--ie., riding coat, was used by the French as redingote, and then taken back in French form into English, though no longer used only to describe an actual riding coat!)  


On the right (in rear) a late Georgian style riding habit.

Forefront left: Regency; Others, Georgian.

Since the JASNA event was in October, there were a few whimsical pumpkins present (contest entries). I thought Cinderella's Coach was well done. 
Happy Harvest!
Don't forget to check out the additional photos of Regency costume on my website, here.

And here's a few links for further study: 

English Women's Clothing in the Nineteenth Century
(Do not buy the Kindle edition if your aim is to really study costume. You just can't see a full page the way you need to, and a book full of illustrations is more fun, period, in print format. Be prepared though; this is a huge book, with 459 pages. )

The History of Underclothes (Dover Fashion and Costume)

The Cut of Men's Clothes: 1600-1900 (Unlike the first two, I don't own this one, but the reviews are good.)

Empire Fashions  (I own, and love, this book.)

The above is enough to get any student of costume excited and enthralled. What about you? Do you enjoy studying period dress? Do you have a favorite go-to reference or illustrated book?

Leave a comment and a contact email and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a copy of my book*, THE COUNTRY HOUSE COURTSHIP.


(*Winner will be chosen at random using random.org)

36 comments:

  1. I have never researched period dress, but enjoyed looking at these pictures. What a great blessing to see these. LOVED looks. My email is laurahix (at) gmail (dot) com

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  2. I like to look at period dresses also but I have not researched them. Your book looks good.

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  3. These are absolutely lovely. kmfm62@gmail.com

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  4. Thank you for the wonderful photographs. I had not noticed the back of bodices before. I can see the differences now.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  5. Love the details of the dresses! So beautiful! I enjoyed this article. I look forward to reading "The Country House Courtship". :)

    psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com

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  6. Love the dresses, love the giveaway! Thank you for the opportunity!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  7. These pictures are great! The handwork on the "1815-1817" dress is beautiful. It makes me wonder how much a seamstress was paid for making this for it's owner... I enjoy learning more about the dresses :)
    dkstevensne )at( outlook dotcom

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  8. The dresses were definitely beautiful back in that time period.
    I really enjoyed Before the Season Ends and its sequels. Do you have any plans for future books?

    rdewey17(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. The dresses are gorgeous. I had no idea they had such detail in the. Thank you so much for the pictures. Wow, it just goes to show how "modern" they were in their intriquite design. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of your new books. I can't wait to read more of them.

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  10. Thank you,ladies. We do enjoy frills and furbishes, don't we? ;) (Good to see you back, Melanie!)
    As for the payment of seamstresses, Deanna, that is a good topic for a future post. In general, they were miserably paid and endured long, long working hours. As for future books, Rebecca, I've just finished a YA (young adult contemporary suspense) but I do hope to return to the regency by publishing a few manuscripts I have in my files. Thanks for inquiring.

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    1. Mary, just want to mention it's good to see you too! (It's been awhile.)

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  11. Period dress is nothing I have ever studied, but these are lovely!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Love the pictures of all the dresses - so fun. would love to win..thanks for the chance truckredford(at)gmail(Dot)com

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  13. The dresses are gorgeous. Sometimes I wish we still dressed like that on more than special occasions. Thanks for the information!
    zerina147(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I hear you, Emily....I love the elegance and taste of the regency style. Thanks all, for commenting. I look forward to awarding a book! (Drawing ends Monday night, midnight.)

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  14. Thank you for sharing these lovely pictures. How fun to imagine the ladies in their finery!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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  15. The dresses are lovely and so intricate. What a nice occasion. Thanks for the pictures.

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  16. Thank you for sharing pictures of the dresses (and more) . . . that walking dress . . . Wow! Loved it but gosh am I glad I don't have to dress up all the time! : ) chris_davebures@bellsouth.net Thanks!

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  17. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I love Regency fashion, and was blessed to wear a Regency gown last year.

    Linore, the link to Empire Fashions doesn't work for me. I plugged it into Amazon and got a book by Tom Tierney--is that the one?

    srdietze at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Hi Susanne,
      I'm sorry about that--I notice that none of my links are working! (Grr.) But yes, it's a grown up coloring book, but the details are wonderful. You won't find a lot of explanation accompanying the drawings, so other books are important to consult, too, but I think Dover does a great job with its costume collection. What occasion were you dressed in Regency style for? Was it a costume ball?

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  18. I'm with you on that, Chris. I can't imagine how long it must have taken to get dressed each day, and the Regency was slack regarding accoutrements and undergarments, as far as that went. We've come a long way, baby. :)

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  19. Hi Linore! I mentioned last month that I found the dress I wanted as my wedding dress, you congratulated me, hoped to see pics, etc. However, it wasn't mention that though I may have found my dress, I have yet find my "him!" (Sorry for the confusion!)
    I love regency dresses because they're so darn elegant, classy, and they look comfortable - no five layers of Spanx needed!!)
    kam110476 at gmail dot com

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    1. Btw, this timestamp says it's after midnight but here in Oklahoma it's only 11:54pm - I hope I can still enter!?

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    2. You're entered, Kam--the drawing isn't until NEXT Monday (I gave it one full week). I get it about the wedding--no worries. God will lead you to the right guy in His perfect time. Thanks for coming by. :)

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  20. I love your books. Do you have anything new coming out? The dresses on this post are gorgeous! kristine(dot)morgan@yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Kristine--good to "see" you! I do have a YA that Erin Buterbaugh with MacGregor Literary is shopping around for me. I'm hoping it finds a publisher really soon! In the meantime I'm editing for other people but I do intend to polish off some older regencies I wrote and bring them to print. Thanks! Good luck in the drawing. :)

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  21. I love looking at period outfits! All of the beautiful details, grace and simplicity done into each piece! As young teen I loved sewing my own dresses for choir and concerts. Hoping to capture some of the time of past.
    I would love to win your book!
    Thank you for the chance!
    wendyshoults(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Wendy, I'm impressed with anyone who sews clothing. My mother is an accomplished seamstress and quilter. I have been blessed with many talents, but sewing is not one of them! Go, girl. :) You're in the drawing.

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  22. The costumes are gorgeous and beautiful. I wish I have the talent to make the dress. Thanks for showing some examples and your generous offer, Linore. I hope the competition is open worldwide.

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Where are you writing from, Luthien? I normally do limit giveaways to the US and Canada, but I can make some exceptions. If you are willing to accept an ebook edition, I'll send it anywhere in the world.

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  23. I just can't get enough of these fabulous posts on the regency costumes at the gala! :)

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    1. Thanks, Carla! (We must be kindred spirits.) Like you, I just love this stuff. Nice to have a fellow author stop by. :)

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  24. I love your pictures of the dresses

    patkf2007 (at) Hotmail (dot) com

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  25. Those dresses look so lovely! :)
    mmyheartishere@gmail.com

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  26. WINNER! WINNER! Thank you all for entering the drawing! The winner of a copy of The Country House Courtship is Patty!
    I'll run another giveaway next month (11/20) so be sure to return for that. Also, I'm giving away five copies of The Country House Courtship in November on GoodReads, so head over there to see the rules for entering. I'm sure it's super easy.

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