Regency Fashion August 1816

EVENING DRESS   - August 1816 from Ackermann's.

You will not that we are presented with the back of the gown for some reason. Perhaps because of the way it is gathered. It is exceedingly low i n the neckline.

A GOWN of white soft satin, cut low all round the back and bosom. 

The skirt gored, and a good deal of fullness thrown behind. 

The body, which is disposed in small plaits, displays the shape, as our readers will perceive by our print, to a very great advantage; it is trimmed round the bosom with a wreath of small white net roses, with a little tuft of pearl in the heart of each. 

Long loose sleeve, composed of white lace, and finished a la Parisienne with a rich double frill of lace at the wrists. 

The skirt is ornamented, in an exquisitely tasteful style, with a broad flounce of rich blond, surmounted by wreaths of roses and deep scollops of white net, the points of which are finished by bows of white satin ribbon. The effect of this trimming is uncommonly beautiful. 

Hair, cropped and curled full in the back of the neck, and dressed light, and much parted on the forehead: it is ornamented with a superb white ostrich-plume, at the base of which is an aigrette of diamonds. Neck-lace, ear-rings, and bracelets also of diamond. 

White satin slippers, and white kid gloves.

Extra
Fashion Notes.
 I thought this comment by Ackermann's in the same month interesting enough to add it here.

We see, with pleasure, ladies of distinction give liberal encouragements to English manufactures; and it is but justice to our own, that the productions of our own looms may vie with those of any other country. Our imitations of China crape and French silk, both for dresses and scarfs, are now universally adopted; the former in particular are uncommonly good.

Did you see Poldark last night. The comment about acres of bosom being all the fashion. I thought of that remark when I saw this gown.

Until next time........

Regency Fashion for August 1816

   

MORNING DRESS from Ackermann's August 1816

A round dress, composed of jaconot muslin, finished round the bottom of the skirt by a deep flounce of rich work scalloped at the edge, and a heading to correspond. 

The body has a slight fullness behind. The form of the front, as our readers will perceive by our print, is extremely novel and pretty. 

Plain long sleeve, finished at the wrist by a pink band and bow. 

The cornette worn with this dress is of the mob kind, and by much the most becoming we have ever seen: it is composed of white lace, and tastefully ornamented with roses. 

Pink kid slippers, and white kid gloves.

This dress is much approved by belles of taste for its elegant simplicity; its form and materials are certainly strictly appropriate to morning costume. It was invented by Mrs. Gill, of Cork-street, Burlington Gardens, to whom we are indebted for it.

While Ackermann's like the form of the body at the front, personally I am not that keen on it. I am however intrigued by the comment that it is strictly "appropriate".  I really love the hem, it is so very pretty and lacy, as well as the pink kid slippers.  I especially like the setting since she is sitting on what I assume is a music stool and hold a book of sheet music.  What do you think?  Do you like the cornette?

Until next time............

Regency Fashions August 1815

Books being what they are we are playing catchup. I wanted you to have this August dress before I started on September's offerings.

This is a summer Promenade Dress from Ackermann's Repository and this is the extracted description:

High dress, with plain body, buttoned or laced behind, composed of a rich satin-striped sarsnet, of celestial blue and white colour, trimmed at the feet with white satin;

long loose sleeve, confined at the wrist with a fulling of tull, edged with white satin;

a deep full ruff, of the French work, round the neck; a short sash of white satin ribbon, tied behind.

A French bonnet, composed of tull fulled in, and alternate folds of white satin; a roll of white satin, laced with tull, ornaments the edge of the bonnet; satin strings, tied under the ear.

Necklace of Oriental-gold.

Stockings elastic or ribbed silk.

Sandals crossed high up the ankle with blue ribbon. Gloves Limerick or blue kid. Parasol of shaded silk.

i thought this looked particularly elegant though I am not a fan of ruffs.

Until next time…..

Regency Fashion August 1815

Such a pretty summer evening dress 

for August 1815 from Ackermann's Repository.

A WHITE satin petticoat, ornamented at the feet with a broad border of tull and satin; a frock-body, tied behind, composed of tull and satin, with a quilling of tull terminating at each end point of the shoulder-strap; a short sleeve, richly ornamented with frilled tull, corresponding to the bottom of the dress; short sash of white satin, tied in full bows behind. 

        Cap composed of white satin and gathered tull, decorated in the front with a full wreath formed of tull edged with satin. Stockings plain silk. Slippers white kid or ribbed sarsnet. Gloves French kid, drawn over the elbow.

       The waists of both morning and full dress continue extremely short, and the backs in full dress are generally brought very low, and frequently to the bottom of the waist. The fronts of both high and low bodies continued without alteration; and are made plain, to fit the shape. 

      In morning and promenade dress the sleeve is universally long, and this month worn of the same material as the dress. The short full sleeve is equally prevalent in evening costume. The length of the walking petticoat continues to meet the top of the sandal, which appears in more estimation than the boot. The most prevailing colours for the present month are, Pomona green, primrose, apple-blossom, and the celestial blue.

I love that we get the names of the popular colours for the month don't you?

Ann Lethbridge

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Regency Fashion August 1814

Hot days of summer here in the Northern hemisphere.  What are you wearing at the beach?

I bet it looks nothing like this.  Our ladies of 200 years ago might have had the prettiest ballgowns, but I bet you wouldn't swap your bathing suit for this one. Though to be honest it is  a walking dress too.  I liked seeing the cliffs in the background and the bathing machines lined up on the beach. And that must be a towel over her arm.

Reminds me a bit of a scene in my next book Captured Countess out in December.  Our heroine, Nicky, is learning to swim -- with the King.

All right, here is the official description. But I am not sure what Carcassian refers too? Circassians perhaps?

From La Belle Assemblee:

Carcassian Ladies’ Corset Bathing & Sea-side Walking Dress 

High dress of rich Indian or Parisian chintz, made in a form peculiarly novel and elegant; it is trimmed with chintz bordering to correspond, or a rich silk trimming. Long sleeve, with the fullness let in at the top. The collar is extremely novel and beautiful, and the trimming most tastefully disposed, so as to give the appearance of a shirt to the pelisse; it is loose in the body, but fastens in to the waist.  

We forbear a particular description of this elegant and convenient dress, as it must be seen to be properly understood; we have only to observe, that it is made in a form never before introduced, that it is equally tasteful and becoming; it enables a lady to dress herself in a few minutes without assistance, prevents the chance of taking cold by the long delay in dressing; and, when dressed, to look as completely fashionable as if she had employed the longest time at her toilet.  

The principal novelty, however, consists of Mrs. Bell’s new invented Circassian corset, which unites the advantages of being conductive to health and comfort, by being made of novel materials, free from superfluities, such as steel, whalebone, or any hard substance; so that ease, gracefulness, and dignity are given to the female form in a manner perfectly novel and original. It gives relief and protection to pregnant ladies, and at the same time adds dignity and beauty to the appearance.  

Head dress Chapeau Bras. Slippers of pale green; and gloves to correspond.

Now some of you may be interested in the comment on the corset.  Novel materials. One can only wonder. And the fact that she can dress herself after bathing means this outer shell comes off before she takes a dip leaving her in that corset and her chemise?

Until next time

Regency Fashions August 1817

 Oh its fashion time again.  I always love this bit.  Here are a couple of delightful summer frocks.
From the July 1817 La Belle Assemblee

Our first gown is advertized as a French fashion, and French was and is always considered tres chic

The official description is as follows:

Round dress of cambric, with two embroidered flounces, divided at about half a quarter of a yard, with rows of small tucks. Colerette body of fine cambric, ornamented round the bust and at the bottom of the waist to correspond with the border of the dress. Leghorn bonnet ornamented with puffings of pink satin. Lyonese shawl of grass-green with a narrow variegated border. Pink kid shoes, and Limerick gloves.

Puffings?  That made me chuckle. I was also smiling at the half a quarter of a yard.  Did she mean an eighth?  It is an interesting insight into language of the day. I quite like the bell shape of the skirt and the length is practical for walking, but not sure about the ruffle around the neck. But then my neck is not quite of the swan-variety. That green scarf is startling amid all the pale colours.



The second offering is English.

And classified as an Afternoon Dress. Just what I would be wearing to afternoon tea with the local lord of the manor, and lounging about in during a country house party.

The official Description goes as follows:

Round dress of fine plain India muslin, with triple flounces richly embroidered; the upper flounce finished with a bouillone run through with ribband of ethereal blue. Open spenser of ethereal blue sprigged satin, lined with white; the part that turns back and the falling collar elegantly finished with find blond; macherons of white satin surmount the sleeves, trimmed also with blond. Elphinstone cap of blue and white satin, with a plume of white feathers.

I have some more to share about August fashions later in the month. Some fun observations, but next time we have to move on with our tour of Saltram.
Until then, Happy rambles.

Regency Fashion for August

by Ann Lethbridge
A fun reminder that the Anthology New Voices
is out this month. You won't see this kind of cover on my blog very often, so I hope you enjoy. My story is called The Governess and the Earl. I do hope you will check it out.

While this book is out in print in the UK you can find it in all the usual on line places in North America too. Here is the link for the UK
New Voices

Now to the important stuff.


From the Ladies Magazine for August 1810

A morning dress of white Indian muslin with high front and collar, edged with lace, and confined with silk buttons from the throat to the feet. A yellow silk pelisse trimmed with broad white lace, and lined with pink sarscenet. Woodland straw bonnet, with yellow and pink feather. A cottage cap of lace, ornamented with an artificial white rose. Pink sandal shoes; with yellow kid gloves.


The Evening Dress is described as a white frock of French cambric, with short plain sleeves. A long scarf of light blue silk; a turban composed of the same, and white satin. Jewels, sapphire, and gold. Gloves and shoes of white kid.

The scarf is indeed long.



This one is from the Ladies Magazine for 1800.

While we do not have a description of this plate as we do of some others here are some of the remarks relevant to this costume.

Nothing is now so elegant as a straw hat of open work, thick- set with points of plaited straw


The medallions, called breviaries, and the chains from their crossing called saltiers, are much worn:


In plain silks, jonquil is the prevailing colour.

And that is all we have for now. Until next time, Happy Rambles.

Regency Fashion ~ August

by Ann Lethbridge


Friday turned out to be quite eventful. The postman brought three books to my door. The French versions of The Rake's Inherited Courtesan.

I absolutely love the cover! It is so different to the UK and North American Cover which you see on the right bar, but it is just as nice. In fact, to me it realy is evocative of at least one of the scenes in the book. And I adore the title. All right, so I can't read more than a few words, but this is my first foreign version of a book so I am sure you don't begrudge me a little excitement.

Here is the deal, firstreader from France to comment on the blog, gets one of my three copies.

Now enough of this writerly stuff I hear you say. We want Fashio. And your wish is my command.


This is from pre Regency, but still in our long Regency period and is taken from the Ladies Monthly Museum.

As you can see, it is called undress, but clearly these ladies are out in the garden or perhaps in the park. Not the sunshade, which looks to me if could just as easily serve to keep the rain off, which they must be expecting with all those layers.

First Figure: Village hat of straw or chip, with cap, and flowers in front, underneath the hat; black net cloak with lace trimming; and white cambric muslin robe. Second Figure: Grecian bonnet of straw or white muslin, with lilac trimming; Jersey jacket with worked or printed border; pale blue gloves and straw coloured shoes. I like the term village hat, don't you, very evocative of summers in the country. I'm not sure what is Grecian about the other bonnet.?


Our next offering is well into the Regency ~ August 1816.

From La Belle Assemblee

Round, high dress of fine cambric, or jacconet muslin, ornamented at the bottom with four rows of Vandyke trimming of rich embroidery, surmounted by a flounce vandyked at the edge. Full sleeves of muslin, à la Duchesse de Berri, confined by bands of embroidered cambric, and surmounted by imperials wings of clear muslin. Treble ruff of broad lace, and sash of muslin, the ends trimmed with lace of a Vandyke pattern. Bonnet of leghorn ornamented with ears of Indian corn, and turned up slightly in the front. Shoes of lilac kid. The hair in full curls, dressed forward. Talk about fussy. But so pretty. Delicious and feminine. This is definitely one I can see one of my characters wearing. Note to self. Write a book set in 1816.

Can't wait.

Until next time, Happy Rambles

Regency Fashion for August

First you may have noticed that I changed the picture of my book. Well I just learned before Nationals that my cover had changed. Happily, I love the new one just as much as the old one.

This first image is from 1806 taken from the Ladies Monthly Magazine

Morning Dress.

Round Dress of Pink Muslin, trimmed down the Front with Lace Footing; Cloak of worked Leno, lined with Straw-coloured Sarsnet, and trimmed with White Lace; Head fashionably drest with the Cantab Hat.

Full Dress.

A close Dress of White Sarsnet, bordered with painted Flowers, and Train of Pale Green Crape; Gold Broach; Head-Dress consisting of deep White Veil thrown carelessly over, and falling down the Back, Gold Comb, and Buff Gloves.

Interesting to see that for the pink morning gown that the cloak is much more like a shawl. I do love the color of this dress and the lace footing down the front. Not sure why it is called footing, but it really is elegant. I would not mind making calls in such a pretty gown.

The second gown, for evening is also lovely. I think the painted flowers appeal to me. I do not like the buff gloves, however. They look odd. And how about that veil. How long would it take the maid to get that carelessly thrown over look?


The next outfit is from La Belle Assemblee, 1810. A Walking Gown.

Promenade Walking Dress.

A plain cambric round morning dress, made high in the neck, with short train, let in round the bottom with two rows of worked trimming. A pelisse of green sarsnet, made to fit the shape, trimmed round with a narrow fancy trimming, cut with two scollops on the left side, on the right with one; fastened on the neck with a gold brooch, and confined round the waist with a girdle of the same, with gold clasp. A Lavinia unbleached chip hat, tied down with a broad white sarsnet ribband; a small white satin cap is worn underneath, with an artificial rose in front. The hair dressed in full curls. A plaid parasol; with York tan gloves; green silk sandals.


The gown is very plain and if it were not for that green trim it would seem almost dull, and yet somehow that is its charm. And one would not want too much going on on the dress given the pelisse, which takes up most of the description. Interesting that the scollops are different on each side. Lots of information here for a writer, I must say.

Well that is it for me for August, much as I would like to do more. If I sound rather quiet to day, I am. I have lost my voice completely. Good thing I can still type.

Until next time, Happy Rambles.

Regency Fashions - August

How about some August fashions, just to make sure we don't forget?


These are labeled Afternoon Dress for 1799. Note the very full skirts of the pre-regency, but don't forget our Prinny was 37 at this point, so he is already heading for middle age. It seems to me that the only nod at summer made by these dresses, apart from the light fabrics, is the fan. August is one of the warmest month in England too.




These are taken from the 1805 Lady’s Monthly Museum.Cabinet of Fashion.
The first is a Walking Dress --Straw Hat, turned up in Front with a Lilac Feather. A Morning Dress of Cambric Muslin, with full long Sleeves. Habit Shirt. Spanish Cloak. With a fashionable Paratout.
The second Full Dress is described -- The Hair fashionably Dressed, with a Lace Veil tied to form a Cap with White Flowers. A Short Dress of clear Muslin, richly Embroidered, over a Sarsenet Dress of Lilac. White Gloves.

I just love the sound of "clear muslin richly embroidered over a Sarsanet dress of lilac". These people who did descriptions were almost poetic.

This is an evening gown from 1810 from La Belle Assemblee

Evening Visiting Dress.

A complete lemon-coloured sarsnet dress, trimmed with an embroidery of roses; a white lace drapery with train, fastened down the front with topaz snaps; a rich embroidered scarf is thrown carelessly across the shoulders. Topaz necklace, and earrings. The hair in loose ringlet curls, divided by an ornamental comb. Gloves and shoes of white or lemon-coloured kid. A bouquet of natural flowers.


One last one and then I must stop, though I always have more, but the post gets too long. No month would be complete without its riding dress, at least if I have one to show you.

Lady’s Riding Costume from August 1812 La Belle Assemblee

Made of ladies habit cloth or Moria Louisa Blue, trimmed down each side of the front with Spanish buttons, the waist rather long with three small buttons on the hips; a short jacket full behind, the front habit fashion with small buttons up the neck and a row of small buttons on each side of the breast; a lapel thrown back from the shoulders and trimmed with Spanish buttons, has a most elegant effect and gives a graceful finish to the dress. The collar is made about a quarter inch in depth and fashioned negligently at the throat with a large cord and tassel; it opens sufficiently to display the shirt which is of lace in general but this article admits of considerable variations; some of our elegants wear a collar of lace to fall over, others have a shirt edged round the neck with a rich lace frill and not a few, in despite of the heat of the weather, envelope their necks in a large cravat of India muslin.
A small woodland hat, whose colour corresponds with the dress with two white ostrich feathers fastened behind and falling carelessly over the left side. A cord and tassel is brought round the hat and fastened near the top of the crown on the right side.
Buff gloves and half boots either of buff jean or leather.

Not the comment about the large cravats in spite of the heat. And yes, Prinny is Regent indeed.

Until next time. Happy Rambles.