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)

Dress Like Jane Austen--Part One

A few years ago I had the pleasure of attending a JASNA annual conference in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. (JASNA is the Jane Austen Society of North America.) At every conference, they end the weekend with a Regency Ball. Members consider this the highlight of the event and proudly show off their regency costumes for dinner and dancing. (A true regency ball would not include a full dinner, but that's beside the point.) What is the point? That we get to dress and dance like Jane Austen, of course!

My own gown, alas, was not ready. (My bonnet and reticule were, and one day I will post a picture of them. I often take them with me for book signings.)

I took scads of pictures. Last month, if you recall, I promised to post some. It was hard to choose, but the following are among my favorites. Many of the ensembles are handmade by their wearers. I noticed that some seamstresses are more concerned with authenticity than others, so I'm posting those I consider truer to the period. In Part Two of this post (next month) I'll show pictures of men, couples, and snapshots of the ball in progress.

So here we go. I get to play fashion police and I hope you enjoy this Regency costume parade--in which we

DRESS LIKE JANE AUSTEN!

Lovely spencer!

Love this one. I believe she is holding a lorgnette--the female equivalent to a quizzing glass.

Restraint and enthusiasm, side by side. (Are those really green net gloves? Why, I must ask, are they green? Why must I ask? Because I'm a stickler!)

Some could not resist making it a "Masqued Ball"

Woman on the left: Tastefully done! She looks perky and pretty and born to wear this style. On the right: A turbaned headband to die for. Love how the underdress matches the bodice.

A whimsical-looking fashionista.

The Three Graces?

 The puff sleeves are a bit too large, the waist rather low--but the colors and overall effect are lovely. Trains were not common, but not out of place, either.

Sweet!

Love that turbaned headband.

On the right, her hairstyle is apropos! Bravo. It really adds so much to the overall effect.

Another hairstyle-inclusive ensemble, in the simple and popular regency white. The demure smile would be fitting for a lady accepting  the offer of a dance from a gentleman!

A handsomely dressed woman.

The bonnet is rather wide for the period, but there's something sweet about this lady and her gown that I found charming.

Another dubious bonnet, but full points for trying when the outfit matches so well!

Similar to the above, but with a period correct bonnet.

On the right: A picture of good taste. A sweet attitude, coupled with an unpretentious gown that is fitted properly and hits the right note. A regency miss, for sure!

Hair divine, with an early regency style and perfect pose!

 And now for a personal note: Because this was my first trip to the Northwest, I took advantage of the opportunity to meet my editor at Harvest House Publishers--the wonderful Nick Harrison. Here we are in his office in Eugene, Oregon.

(My middle daughter saw this and said, "Wow, Mom, you've lost a lot of weight since then!" [30 pounds, but who's bragging?] I smiled. My youngest daughter came by and said, "Why are you putting that up? You look....(silence)." I said, "C'mon, I'm smiling, at least!" She said, "Yeah, but your head's on the wrong body." I'm choosing to take that as a compliment.)

  To continue: I was also able to meet my then new agent, Chip MacGregor. He was kind enough to show me and my husband around Portland a little.

Chip MacGregor, the cute. (With me, I promise, on the right. I didn't need my daughter to tell me to get out of this one!)

     Finally, fellow author Miralee Ferrell, a resident of southern Washington State, kindly welcomed me and my husband for a night in her beautiful Northwest home. The Ferrells took us up (far, far up!) to see Mount Hood, the location of Overlook Hotel, the infamous exterior of which was used in the film, "The Shining." (It was a neat old place but never gives the feeling of being as large as it comes across in that film.)

Here I am with Miralee, standing in front of a tiled mural on a wall of the hotel. Thanks again, Miralee!

Are you a member of JASNA? Have you attended a regency ball? 
This year's conference is in Quebec, Canada, in October. See this link for more information or to get tickets.
And be sure to tune in next month to see more regency costume photos!



Linore Rose Burkard is best known for her inspirational regency novels with Harvest House Publishers, including Before the Season Ends, the award-winning The House in Grosvenor Square, and, The Country House Courtship.

Linore teaches workshops for writers with Greater Harvest Workshops in Ohio, is a homeschooling mother of five, and is currently putting the finishing touches on a YA novel. Keep up with Linore by subscribing to her free newsletter.