Ackermann's Repository was a popular British publication of the Regency period and its monthly issues were in distribution from January 1809 till its final issue on December 1828. Fortunately for us, Ackermann's Repository was published by a printing house that specialized in producing bound volumes intended for reference and private libraries. Had this just been a fashion magazine, I believe many of the amazing plates would have vanished over time; however since this publication was a literary, economic, political, architectural,as well as a fashion publication; the pages of Ackermann's was treated as a reference item and several full collections of these bound volumes still exist today. (In 1829 Ackermann's had a fashion only publication - "Ackermann's Repository of Fashion".) Ackermann's was know in its day as one of the premier print shops and produced many illustrated book series and lithographs during it's time. From the beginning "The Repository of Arts, Literature, Commerce, Manufactures, Fashions, and Politics" as it was formally called was intended to be bound into books even though it was available as a monthly magazine as well. This is why you see the odd numbering system on the illustrated plates. At the end of each year, that years issues were available as a 2 volume set and could be purchased in a variety of binding options directly from Ackermann's or from several of the other binding houses or book sellers in London. A subscriber also had the option of having their individual issues custom bound to order. It's just so interesting how things were done 200 years ago. 1823 was the start of Series 3 When these were later bound into their 2 volume sets. Jan - Jun 1823 were part of Series 3 Volume 1 July - Dec 1823 were part of Series 3 Volume 2 1823 would have volumes 3&4 1824 would have volumes 5&6 and so on and so forth till the series was completed At the end of the 20 years of Ackermann's Repository there were 40 bound book volumes. According to the information I've found up to 1,000 bound volumes of Ackermann's Repository were sold per year. I've yet to find a number of how many issues of each magazine were sold per month; however it must have been a lucrative venture for it to have been published in both formats for a twenty year period of time. My pick of the 1823 Ackermann's Repository Fashions I have been posting all the lovely fashion plates from the pages of Ackermann's and continue now with Series 3 which ran from January 1823 - December 1828. These fashion would be considered late Regency and can be most easily identified by the more form fitting bodices, dropping waistlines and fuller skirt bottoms. Today I will be posting the fashions for 1823 and I hope you enjoy seeing them. This is what the cover page for Series 3 Vol 1 (Jan - June) 1823 looked like in the bound book form Ackermann's Repository 1823 Fashion Plates 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - January Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - January Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - February Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - February Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - March Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - March Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - April Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - April Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - May Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - May Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - June Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 1 - June Issue This is what the cover page for Series 3 Vol 2 (July - Dec) 1823 looked like in the bound book form 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - July Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - July Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - August Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - August Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - September Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - September Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - October Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - October Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - November Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - November Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - December Issue 1823 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 2 - December Issue ************* For those of you who want a bit more than to see the pretty fashions; here are the fashion descriptions from the November 1823 issue. I though I'd show this one since it included descriptions of the fashion plate showing hats. You will notice I left the pages intact and did not crop out the extra bits from the previous article that precedes the fashion articles; nor did I remove the beginning of the article that followed the fashions. This is so you can see how the articles ran one into the other and how they can jump from one topic to the next without the two being related. Here we have on page 305 the ending of a technology article followed by fashion then one about a new illustrated literary book soon to be available for sale by Ackermann's. Here at the bottom of the November fashions article we see an subtle advertisement for the new release of Ackermann's annual "The Forget Me Not". "The Forget Me Not" was another well known publication by Ackermann's. This "Literary Annual" was published around November of every year (just in time for the Christmas gift giving season) from 1822-1847 and targeted mainly the female marked. This new style of "annual" contained 12 engravings to represent each of the months and stories or poems to accompany each. It also contained a review of the previous year, the recent census, a family tree of the monarchy of Britain and a list of sovereign families and ambassadors for other kingdoms. This would have been a very safe gift for a gentleman to present a lady and in some years it sold up to 20,000 copies. It is believed that the bound version of Ackermann's only sold upwards to 1,000 copies per year; so this shows how popular "The Forget Me Not" was. ************* I hope you have enjoyed another trip through the Regency Fashions of Ackermann's Repository and that you join me again when I post the fashions for 1824. For your convenience here are some quick links to the earlier Regency fashions I've posted on my blog. Ackermann's ran series 1 from 1809 - 1815 Series 1 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1809 Series 1 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1810 Series 1 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1811 Series 1 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1812 Series 1 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1813 Series 1 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1814 Series 1 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1815 The Ladies of Ackermann's Regency Fashion (this is a fun digital art piece I did using many of the above ladies) Ackermann's ran series 2 from 1816 - 1822 Series 2 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1816 Series 2 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1817 Series 2 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1818 Series 2 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1819 Series 2 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1820 Series 2 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1821 Series 2 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1822 Regency Garden Party with a Roaring Rogue (this is a fun digital art piece I did using several Ackermann's Repository images from series 2 and one fun lion man from J.J. Grandville, who was another Regency period illustrator.) Ackermann's ran series 3 from 1823 - 1828 Series 3 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1823 Series 3 (1824-1828) still to be posted Till our next Regency adventure Thanks for visiting me here at EKDuncan.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed seeing these images from Ackermann's Repository and would like the opportunity to see and read an original for yourself they are are available on line at www.archive.org Click HERE then choose the volume you are interested in. You can then see and read them online or download them to your computer for future reference. Enjoy!
Headdresses and hairstyles The pictures trace the changes in evening headdresses, from the modest turbans of the early Regency, through the penchant for veils and onto tall feather headdresses and the return of turbans, higher than before. The hairstyles move from neat, high twists with ringlet
Today I bring you another installment of Regency fashions from the pages of Ackermann's Repository. In my previous posts from the last part of 1817 - 1820, Ackermann's included a large amount of fashion plates dedicated to mourning fashions due to several deaths within the royal family. It's a nice change of pace to see that most of the fashion plates for 1821 are gaily colored; however the two fashion plates for September 1821 again show mourning clothing due to the death of yet another royal - Queen Caroline wife of the newly crowned King George IV. Her death did not overly impact fashions as you can tell by the remainder of the fashion plates for late fall and winter; since the October fashion plates are a deep rose colored costume and a formal court dress. The Queen passed away in August of 1821 and court mourning was officially ended in late September. For those of you who like to see the interesting written tidbits from Ackermann's; I will be posting Queen Caroline's Death notice and the Ackermann's article about the Royal Coronation of King George the IV at the bottom of this post. Enjoy! My top pick of the 1821 fashion plates The coronation of King George IV (previously the Prince Regent also known as Prinny to his close friends) took place in July 1821 and inspired another fashion plate depicting a fancy court dress. Ackermann's Repository 1821 Fashion Plates 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - January Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - January Issue February 1821 fashion plates are MISSING from the volume I had access to; but I've been lucky enough to locate images of what they did look like. (Update 2/20/2012 - I located an image of the first missing plate for Feb) 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - Feb Issue (Update 1/02/2012 - I located an image of the second missing plate for Feb) 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - Feb Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - March Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - March Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - April Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - April Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - May Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - May Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - June Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - June Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - July Issue The color of this pelisse is listed as Evening Primrose 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - July Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - August Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - August Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - September Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - September Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - October Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - October Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - November Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - November Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - December Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - December Issue I'm always amazed at the elaborate trims on vintage clothing like these Regency costumes. They are just so much fun to look at. Thanks for taking a look at 1821 Regency Fashions from the pages of Ackermann's Repository and join me again in the near future for a look at 1822. ***************** Now for those who want to see the Ackermann's account of: Queen Caroline's death and the Coronation of King George IV The Death of Queen Caroline The Coronation of King George IV I thought it was interesting that he wanted a grand ceremony that would outshine Napoleon's and that he choose to do it in the style of the Tudor's. I'm sure the whole affair felt like a fancy dress ball for those in attendance. I enjoy seeing how events like these were recorded in it's day so I hope you found it interesting as well. ************** For your convenience I have included some quick links for my previous postings of Ackermann's Repository Fashions below Ackermann's ran series 1 from 1809 - 1815 Series 1 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1809 Series 1 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1810 Series 1 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1811 Series 1 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1812 Series 1 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1813 Series 1 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1814 Series 1 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1815 The Ladies of Ackermann's Regency Fashion (this is a fun digital art piece I did using many of the above ladies) Ackermann's ran series 2 from 1816 - 1822 Series 2 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1816 Series 2 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1817 Series 2 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1818 Series 2 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1819 Series 2 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1820 Series 2 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1821 Series 2 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1822 - coming soon Ackermann's ran series 3 from 1823 - 1828 (series 3 coming soon) I hope you join me again for more Regency fashions from Ackermann's Repository Till next time... Thanks for visiting me here at EKDuncan.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed seeing these images from Ackermann's Repository and would like the opportunity to see and read an original for yourself they are are available on line at www.archive.org Click HERE then choose the volume you are interested in. You can then see and read them online or download them to your computer for future reference. Enjoy!
Don’t be Drab. Be Fab! While coloring on a museum gown would be a shame, coloring your costumes isn’t. I love a pretty white Regency gown, but when everyone else is wearing a white gown…
Botanical Name: Oenothera biennis. Other Common Names: Fever plant, great evening-primrose, kings-cure-all, night willow-herb, scabish, scurvish, tee primrose, sun drop, suncups. Habitat: Evening primrose grows in the temperate climates of North America, and other similar regions. This plant can be found growing in the dry, open soils along roadways, railways, and in open fields. This plant prefers full sun, although the flowers only bloom at night or on overcast days. This plant lasts two years and is self-sowing. Plant Description: Evening primrose is a tall (3-6 feet in height), biennial plant native to North America, with a base of leaves
Looking for a small project to complete over the Christmas break? A regency reticule is definitely something you can start and finish - even by hand while watching the cricket (an Australian tradition). Reticule, England, 1800-24 Silk with embroidered floral design and tassels V&A: Museum no. Circ.554-1954 From MFA, Boston. Accession Number 64.692 Ladies cream silk reticule with chenille embroidery. English 1790-1800 Matching silk satin reticule & shoes in Aylwen's private collection A pattern to knit a pineapple reticule is here. You can draw up your own pattern by looking at pictures or use the reticule patterns that are part of the Elegant Ladys Wardrobe pattern. Wingeo also have a reticule pattern with many variants. There are some simple pouch instructions and also a reticule pattern online. Here is a link to how to make tassels and here are some regency embroidery patterns for decoration. To learn even more about reticules, come along to the Jane Austen Festival Australia in Canberra each April and attend one of the workshops. Links to reticules online: http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/drawstring-bag-48619 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/spun-steel-bag-119562 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/painted-silk-bag-octagonal-47... http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/bag-123011 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/drawstring-bag-123012 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/bag-123013 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/knitted-and-beaded-round-draw... http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/drawstring-bag-48208 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/bag-clasp-and-bag-69876 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/drawstring-bag-100052 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/bag-50155 http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/drawstring-bag-49690
Today I bring you another installment of Regency fashions from the pages of Ackermann's Repository. In my previous posts from the last part of 1817 - 1820, Ackermann's included a large amount of fashion plates dedicated to mourning fashions due to several deaths within the royal family. It's a nice change of pace to see that most of the fashion plates for 1821 are gaily colored; however the two fashion plates for September 1821 again show mourning clothing due to the death of yet another royal - Queen Caroline wife of the newly crowned King George IV. Her death did not overly impact fashions as you can tell by the remainder of the fashion plates for late fall and winter; since the October fashion plates are a deep rose colored costume and a formal court dress. The Queen passed away in August of 1821 and court mourning was officially ended in late September. For those of you who like to see the interesting written tidbits from Ackermann's; I will be posting Queen Caroline's Death notice and the Ackermann's article about the Royal Coronation of King George the IV at the bottom of this post. Enjoy! My top pick of the 1821 fashion plates The coronation of King George IV (previously the Prince Regent also known as Prinny to his close friends) took place in July 1821 and inspired another fashion plate depicting a fancy court dress. Ackermann's Repository 1821 Fashion Plates 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - January Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - January Issue February 1821 fashion plates are MISSING from the volume I had access to; but I've been lucky enough to locate images of what they did look like. (Update 2/20/2012 - I located an image of the first missing plate for Feb) 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - Feb Issue (Update 1/02/2012 - I located an image of the second missing plate for Feb) 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - Feb Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - March Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - March Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - April Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - April Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - May Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - May Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - June Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 11 - June Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - July Issue The color of this pelisse is listed as Evening Primrose 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - July Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - August Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - August Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - September Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - September Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - October Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - October Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - November Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - November Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - December Issue 1821 - Ackermann's Repository Series 2 Vol 12 - December Issue I'm always amazed at the elaborate trims on vintage clothing like these Regency costumes. They are just so much fun to look at. Thanks for taking a look at 1821 Regency Fashions from the pages of Ackermann's Repository and join me again in the near future for a look at 1822. ***************** Now for those who want to see the Ackermann's account of: Queen Caroline's death and the Coronation of King George IV The Death of Queen Caroline The Coronation of King George IV I thought it was interesting that he wanted a grand ceremony that would outshine Napoleon's and that he choose to do it in the style of the Tudor's. I'm sure the whole affair felt like a fancy dress ball for those in attendance. I enjoy seeing how events like these were recorded in it's day so I hope you found it interesting as well. ************** For your convenience I have included some quick links for my previous postings of Ackermann's Repository Fashions below Ackermann's ran series 1 from 1809 - 1815 Series 1 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1809 Series 1 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1810 Series 1 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1811 Series 1 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1812 Series 1 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1813 Series 1 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1814 Series 1 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1815 The Ladies of Ackermann's Regency Fashion (this is a fun digital art piece I did using many of the above ladies) Ackermann's ran series 2 from 1816 - 1822 Series 2 - Vol 1 & 2 - 1816 Series 2 - Vol 3 & 4 - 1817 Series 2 - Vol 5 & 6 - 1818 Series 2 - Vol 7 & 8 - 1819 Series 2 - Vol 9 & 10 - 1820 Series 2 - Vol 11 & 12 - 1821 Series 2 - Vol 13 & 14 - 1822 - coming soon Ackermann's ran series 3 from 1823 - 1828 (series 3 coming soon) I hope you join me again for more Regency fashions from Ackermann's Repository Till next time... Thanks for visiting me here at EKDuncan.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed seeing these images from Ackermann's Repository and would like the opportunity to see and read an original for yourself they are are available on line at www.archive.org Click HERE then choose the volume you are interested in. You can then see and read them online or download them to your computer for future reference. Enjoy!
Today our Regency time travels for fashion will take us to the year 1824 and oh what an assortment of fashions we have for this year. The trends continue with the lowering and snugger form-fitting bodice and fuller skirt bottoms as we have seen for the past few years. Then is October we see see two mourning fashions; however this time it is not due to a death in the British Royal Family but for the French King Louise XVIII. I found it interesting that the British Court was ordered to go into a short period of mourning for the French king and that many in the British higher ranks were expected to follow along. I will post the fashion article showing this mandate after posting all the fashion plates, so I hope you take a look at it as well. This is my pick of the 1824 Ackermann's Repository Fashion Plates As always, it is difficult for me to choose my pick of the fashions for any one year. I was drawn to this fashion plate due to the interesting composition. Not only is the dress and ladies face charming but the scene in itself was too unusual to be passed over. I hope you have fun looking at and choosing a favorite of your own. Enjoy! Ackermann's Repository 1824 Fashion Plates 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - January Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - January Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - February Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - February Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - March Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - March Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - April Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - April Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - May Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - May Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - June Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 3 - June Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - July Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - July Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - August Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - August Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - September Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - September Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - October Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - October Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - November Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - November Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - December Issue 1824 - Ackermann's Repository Series 3 Vol 4 - December Issue ********************** As promised here is the October 1824 fashion article giving some information about the British court ordered mourning for the King of France's death. I just get a thrill out of seeing the phraseology used during this time period. I hope you have enjoyed this little walk through 1824 Regency fashions from Ackermann's Repository and that you will join me again later as we continue with this fun series. Till next time... Thanks for visiting me here at EKDuncan.blogspot.com If you have enjoyed seeing these images from Ackermann's Repository and would like the opportunity to see and read an original for yourself they are are available on line at www.archive.org Click HERE then choose the volume you are interested in. You can then see and read them online or download them to your computer for future reference. Enjoy!
Explore James Blah's 867 photos on Flickr!
Hello all! I regret neglecting this blog page for the NW chapter. I do have a good excuse though, and that is we're so busy with ORS events and the main website that we forget about this page sometimes. :) That *is* a good thing. I digress! I have a little missive about fabric and colours for your regency delectation today. It may help you in constructing your regency wardrobe! Building a regency wardrobe can be tricky, but only if you over think it. There are several cardinal rules you should stick to when you are assembling your wardrobe. Slippy, shiny, froofy, mitchy-matchy and a tiny bit tacky. 1) Use natural fabrics. I cannot stress this enough! Stay away from poly blends or synthetics. The colours are not natural, and they are not period correct. They often reflect camera flashes and give off a shine that is unbecoming. Stick to silks, cottons, wools, linens and natural fibers. It’s also an advantage because these fabrics breathe better, and when you are layered up with all your underpinnings, it can get warm. Particularly in silk, stay away from dupioni unless it is really smooth and not too slubby. Your best bet is shantung or taffeta. They did not use slubby silk, because it was considered cheap. You can probably get away with dupioni for hats and other accessories. 2) Choose tasteful trim. It's hard to define what tasteful is, but all you need to do is look at extant garments and fashion plates to understand what would be acceptable vs what is easy. Stay away from roses, stick with delicate patterns if you can find them. 3) Choose colours suited to the period. There were bright colours, but they tended to have a muted value against some of the very bright, very pure colours of today. (See the bottom of this post for some colourway tools and ideas. Jewel tones; bright and vibrant but not loud. More lovely jewel tones. Pastels that have just a dash of grey. Muted and subtle. Subtle, muted pastels. More muted, yet still vibrant tones. Dusky earth tones. More neutrals. 4) Don’t go matchy-matchy. No regency woman wanted to be one colour, or one pattern from head to toe. When picking fabrics for your outer garments and accessories, think neutrals, and think earthy tones. You can mix a brown hat with a slate blue redingote, and grey boots and nobody would blink an eye. Regency women did not in general, match their hats to their coats, and their dresses, and vice versa. Most of them could not afford to do that. They would make their garments, or buy and wear them until they had to repurpose them. Fabric was expensive. So to have matching items is perhaps a component of being rich, but even the rich were not compelled to make a hat that matched a particular dress. They might have coordinated a hat with a redingote, but not always. They mixed and matched their garments. The trick is to pick a colour and pattern story in your fabrics. To pick full neutrals for your hats and outwear, and even your accessories, and then be playful with your regular garments. Play with muted pastels (not modern pastels), earth tones, jewel tones, sparse and light patterns (roll and block prints), border prints, etc. Always in Regency, think DELICATE. Think SUBTLE. 5) Stay away from Victorian busy rose prints. These are not regency. Large patterns were not common either. No No No 1820 - Yes Yes. Absolutely yes. 6) Stay away from Victorian lace with busy repeated patterns. If you want to make an overlay, use a sheer with a sparse embroidery design, or border whitework. There are even net sheers for windows you can find that will work fine, but they should not be solid pattern. NO!!!! Pretty, but still a no. A nice subtle dot, yes! This would work. 7) Don't allow anyone persuade you NOT to use an 18th century style print for Regency. Again, fabric was expensive, and women very often reused the fabrics from their old gowns, their mother’s gowns and grandmother’s gowns. There are countless extant garments showing careful re-purposing of old-fashioned prints and fabrics by meticulous seamstresses. 8) Do not hesitate to piece either. What does that mean? If you don’t have enough fabric to cut all your pieces in one large piece, you can add in little bits and bobs from your scraps to fill in. Regency women did it all the time. Precious, high-quality fabric was much valued. garments were lined in pieced scraps oftentimes, and gowns were decorated to hide the countless repairs and stains that inevitably happened. They were not the disposable world that we live in today. The rich often passed used garments down to servants and subordinates instead of throwing them away. Old, worn gowns were downgraded to morning gowns to be worn about the house when not visiting. 9) Patterns were used for day (on the most part). Some jacquard style fabrics, silk stripes and elegant patterns can be gotten away with in regency evening wear. Regency evening wear was embellished with lace and trim—with few fully patterned fabrics. You do need to take care, however, in what you choose. Tastefulness is understated elegance, not fancy schmancy, especially during this period. In general, the patterned fabrics were used mostly for day gowns and morning gowns. See this Pinterest board for ideas of what kind of patterns and colours were used during that period. 10) Any period prior to the time of mass-produced garments, there really are no absolutes (there ;aren't really any absolutes after that period either). People are imaginative; they have individual tastes,individual skills and ideas. We are creative now, they were creative then. What makes it authentic is the cut, the style, the technique, the fabrics, the colour story and the silhouette. Look at as many fashion plates as you can from the period, and decide your wardrobe from that. There are also really great tools to help you create a colour story palette to work with so when you pick fabrics, no matter how different they are from one another, their colours will complement each other. Dyes were natural, fabrics were never quite as white as modern whites are. So the brightness of a value was knocked down a bit. Keep that in mind when picking your colours. Stay away from Barbie pinks, and baby blues. Think of it this way; most colours in nature complement the other. Stick to natural tones and you can never go wrong. Some colour tools: -https://kuler.adobe.com/create/color-wheel -http://www.stylishhome.com/Design/Color-Palette-Maker -Use a picture or a fashion plate to create a palette: http://www.pictaculous.com -http://design-seeds.com/index.php/search. Pick one colour you like and then let the software find its best colour friends.
