Category Archives: fashion

History of Shifts, Chemises, and Corsets Through the Regency Era

To protect their outer wear (gowns, day dresses, etc.) from sweat and body oils, women of the Regency era wore shifts or chemises. These were simple garments, much like a man of today might wear an undershirt to protect his … Continue reading

Posted in British history, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, Victorian era | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cost of a Woman’s Clothing in the Regency Era

Recently, I had someone ask me about the cost of such items as court gowns for presentation to the queen and dresses for the London season. Another question came only a week or so later asking about food stuffs, etc. … Continue reading

Posted in British currency, British history, business, customs and tradiitons, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, Pride and Prejudice, real life tales, Regency era, Regency romance, research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Circulating Libraries in the Regency Era

Another author friend sent me these questions regarding the circulating libraries. I will provide the short answers to the questions first and then provide a longer explanations. Was there always a fee to check out a book? Was that paid … Continue reading

Posted in books, British history, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, literature, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, poetry, reading habits, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Dressmakers and Fashion and What Jane Austen Said of Both

A woman’s dressmaker, or “mantua maker,” as they were often known during the late Georgian era, were essentially paid to know what was the latest fashion trends. Most of us who are obsessed with the era, know something of fashion … Continue reading

Posted in British history, England, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Balls in London During the Georgian Era

We often read in Regency romances of the hero and heroine meeting at a ball, but how often was that activity actually a reality? One thing we must keep in mind how large the actual house was depended upon the … Continue reading

Posted in British history, buildings and structures, dancing, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Balls in London During the Georgian Era

Of Lace and Finery: Coded Language in Austen’s Novels, a Guest Post from Diana J Oaks

This post originally appeared on Austen Authors on July 26, 2021. Enjoy! Jane Austen continues to astonish me. We turn again toward her use of clothing to inform her characters, this time focusing on the handful of references to lace … Continue reading

Posted in Austen Authors, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Jane Austen, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Art of Dressmaking During the Regency Era

I had another author recently ask me if I knew the time frame for a dressmaker to complete a gown. In the scenario explained to me, the gown was already embroidered and an initial fitting had occurred. So it is … Continue reading

Posted in British history, customs and tradiitons, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Regency era | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

“A Touch of Honor” [or] What to Do With a Character You Despise?

Early on, I convinced my traditional publisher, Ulysses Press, to print one of my Regency romances – a book I originally called A Touch of Gold and later called A Touch of Scandal. Ulysses released the book under the title … Continue reading

Posted in book excerpts, Church of England, estates, fashion, Georgian England, historical fiction, Inheritance, Ireland, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, marriage licenses, medicine, Realm series, Regency era, Ulysses Press | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Making of a Janeite, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Eliza Shearer debuted on Austen Authors on May 12, 2018, with a bit on how she came to be a Janeite, a Jane Austen fan. Enjoy! Almost eight years ago, I found myself in the Royal Crescent in Bath, dressed … Continue reading

Posted in British history, fashion, Georgian Era, Guest Post, Jane Austen, JASNA, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, publishing, Regency era, Regency romance, tradtions, Vagary, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Making of a Janeite, a Guest Post from Eliza Shearer

Regency Men’s Wear: The Coat

During the Regency era, men’s fashion changed dramatically from the powered-wig peacocks of the late 1700s. Throughout the last decade of the 18th Century, men continued to wear the coat, waistcoat, and breeches.  However, changes were seen in both the fabric used … Continue reading

Posted in British history, fashion, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Regency era, research | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment