My Favorite Fashion Eras: The Regency Era

I was first introduced to the graceful empire lines of the Regency Era at the age of ten (or there-abouts) when my mother borrowed Andrew Davies’ Pride and Prejudice from a friend for me to watch. I was entranced by the lovely gowns worn by the Bennet sisters. Since then I have immensely enjoyed reading Jane Austen’s works and viewing films set in the Regency time period.

The best thing about this style is that you can wear it today without feeling like a sore thumb. Empire waisted dresses are currently quite popular. Oh coarse, none of the modern ones are nearly as pretty as the Jane Austen inspired ones!

Period underpinnings aren’t even much of a problem. A set of short stays is fairly simple to construct and quite comfortable to wear. No waist pincher's around here!
I have enjoyed gazing at, sewing and wearing Regency gowns for the past several years. In fact, I like these gowns so much I went a little crazy with my pictures! I hope you enjoy them. {Click the images to enlarge them.}

First photo: Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice (1995).
Second photo: Original gowns form the Regency period.
Third photo (left) top to bottom: Fashion plate; Sally Hawkins as Anne in Persuasion (2007); Fashion plate; Carey Mulligan and Felicity Jones as Isabella and Catherine in Northanger Abbey.
Fourth photo (right) top to bottom: Keira Knightley and Rosamond Pike as Elizabeth and Jane in Pride and Prejudice (2005); Felicity Jones as Catherine in Northanger Abbey; Abbie Cornish as Fanny in Bright Star.
Fifth photo: Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Martin as Emma and Mr. Knightley in Emma (2009); Keira Knightley as Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice (2005); Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet as Elinor and Marianne in Sense and Sensibility (1995); Abbie Cornish as Fanny in Bright Star.
Sixth photo: Abbie Cornish as Fanny in Bright Star; Kiera Knightley as Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice (2005).