2013 Period Drama Challenge

I decided to join the Period Drama Challenge.  Since I do love period drama productions this will be a lot of fun for me.  If you love period drama's too then think about joining the fun over at Old-Fashioned Charm's blog.

Captain Wentworth's Diary

I probably would not have read this book without reading about its recommendation in the Jane Austen group on Goodreads.  I am so glad I read it.  I loved it!  It is so nice to read Persuasion completely through Captain Wentworth's eyes.  The author Amanda Grange did a wonderful job.

Captain Wentworth is so mature and only wants to marry for love.  The Captain's love for Anne is constant.  Regardless of his pride and doubts the Captain continues to move forward to regain the love of his life.  I love Captain Wentworth more than Mr. Darcy.  This book is a very easy read too because it is written in diary style.

5 Stars     

Regency Era Undergarments

I am not in favor of bringing back the very restraining corsets that women wore during the 18th and 19th centuries.  They were too restricting.  I much more prefer the trimming undergarments of today.  While they make you look better in your clothing they do not restrict your breathing as corsets from the Victorian times did.  They are also not painful to wear.

Here are some undergarments from the regency period that I would not mind wearing today.

 Top front view of regency corset

 Side view of regency corset.  

 Some women would probably find these really corny undergarments, but I love it.

 Another regency era corset.  It doesn't seem as restrictive as some I have seen.  I like this one too.

 Short regency era corset.  It looks more like the sports bras of today.

All photos courtesy of Google search.  If any photo here belongs to you and you want credit simply contact me.  Thank you

  

Feminine Fashion - Regency Period

I love watching period dramas.  One of the reasons are the clothes.  I love 18th and 19th century clothing.  Clothing of the regency period is my favorite.  The regency period lasted from 1795 to 1820.  Women's clothing during this time was so feminine.  I love the high waist dresses that were complimentary to all figures.  Muslin and silk fabrics were used to make many of the dresses.  There were often ribbons and embroidery work involved in the designs.  I am such a girlie girl.  Some of my friends say that I am way over the top girlie girl.  Deep down I wish that regency period clothes would make a come back.   I love that people also dressed daily for dinner at home.  Well, at least the aristocracy did.  I don't feel that everyone should dress for dinner every day, but it is a nice thought that people used to do so. 

    I love this regency dress.  Look at the beautiful detail on the sleeves in the close up photo.  The pearls as an accent around the neckline is subtle and elegant at the same time.  I love the color of this dress too.  It goes well with my brown skin tone.

Here is another close up of the back of a muslin dress.  Again, I love the attention to detail.  This would be considered a day dress during the regency period.

 

Here is another day dress.  I love the ruffled blouse tucked in under the dress.  You will see this style a lot in the movie Persuasion and Pride & Prejudice.

In this photo actress Jennifer Ehle is wearing a Spencer jacket over her day dress.  I love the Spencer jackets.  They have such an elegant look to them.  Colin Firth looks dashing as Mr. Darcy.  I look seeing men in cravats and these kinds of tailored clothes.

More Spencer jackets   

The above and below Spencer jackets are very light.

I love this entire outfit.  

 This Spencer jacket has a military look to it.

Jennifer Ehle' as Elizabeth Bennett wearing her Spencer jacket.

 The above photo is of a pelisse.  Women wore a light covering called a pelisse over their dresses in cooler weather. 

 Front and back of a pelisse.

Pelisse overcoats

 Notice the lovely detail on these pelisse's.

 The image above is also a pelisse.  This would be worn during winter weather.

 Women love our shoes too....(smile).  These are gorgeous and elegant.  I have a feeling that these shoes are later than the regency period.  

These are regency era shoes.
 

If I was getting married I would be wearing shoes like this pair.

This is called a night cap, but I cannot imagine sleeping is something like this.  It is too pretty to only lay in bed with.  I can see wearing something like this on my head to go out to the theater of dinner with friends.

In period movies I often see the women wearing lace head coverings similar to this one in their home.

Here is another lace cap that was worn at home.

I love this hat.

This hat is even more gorgeous.

 These are reticule handbags that women starting carrying after pockets were no longer sewn into dresses.  Women carried a fan, smelling salts and some money.  They were usually made of silk, brocade or they were crocheted.  This would not do for women today, including me.  We carry around so much more in our handbags.

Reticule purse

Here are some more lovely regency fashions below:

 India inspired regency dress.

All photos I found from doing a Google search.  No copyright infringement is intended.  If you see a photo here that belongs to you and you want credit please feel free to contact me.  I am a very nice person and easy to work with.  Thank you!