My Favorite Fashion Eras: The Middle Ages

I think most girls go through a “princess stage”. A Beautiful young woman in a long flowing dress getting into a tight spot and being rescued by her knight in shining armor. And why not? What could be more lovely and feminine? What could be more mesmerizing to a child?




I don’t think I ever quite grew out of my princess phase. I still sketch a beautiful maiden every now and then. I still love the flowing silk and velvet gowns. Everything about them strikes the viewer with a sense of femininity.



Unfortunately, this era is best left to the films and storybooks. Though beautiful, it must be admitted that the clothing of the Middle Ages would not be very practical for modern day wear. So, I must surrender my desire to dress like a fairy tale princess to the winds. I must content myself in looking on as actresses in fantastical films and the fair maidens beneath my sketching fingers prance about in all their silk and velvet glory. Oh well, such is life.


Top photo left to right: Illuminated manuscript; Anna Popplewell as Susan in Prince Caspian; Liv Tyler as Arwen in The Return of the King; Illuminated manuscript

Middle photo left to right: Tomb of Jeanne D Evreux and Charles IV; Cate Blanchett as Galadriel in The Fellowship of the Ring; Lucy Griffiths as Marian in Robin Hood; Seal of Eleanor of Aquitaine

Bottom photo left to right: Illuminated manuscript; Dakota Blue Richards and Natascha McElhone as Maria and Loveday in The Secret of Moonacre; Olivia de Haviland as Marian in the Adventures of Robin Hood; Illuminated manuscript

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).