Regency Fashion February

by Michele Ann Young

Here is a little bit of something fun for a cold February day!. Although if you are one of my Australian readers I gather you are having some pretty hot hot weather right now.


Head-dresses for February 1805 from the Lady's Magazine.


Here is how this plate is described.

HEAD-dresses in hair and turbans are still in undiminished vogue for full dress. In undress, next to the hats of black velvet, or of the same colour with the great coat now generally worn, a capote of rose-coloured satin, trimmed with a wide tulle, is most fashionable. The velvet hats are usually ornamented with feathers and flowers, and some are lined with a different colour: Cassimere [also called kerseymere] hats, of the same colour with the great coats, are edged with black velvet.

The dress represented in the annexed plate is now much worn. --a great coat of blue cassimere with a black velvet collar, and a velvet edging of the same colour. (This great coat comes down to the shoes and is trimmed in the same manner at the bottom)--Colerette à la Medicis--Coral necklace and ear-rings--the head-dress of hair raised on the top of the head, and fastened with a gold comb.

The cloth great coats have always large collars with folds.The taffety douillettes, which are pretty numerous, have likewise large collars of black velvet: they are usually of a bright nut- brown. The number of shawls continually diminishes: Palantines, both white and striped, begin to make their appearance.

We don't see the coat in the annexed plate, but I thought the description worth including. I also notice the use of the word "great coat". I have heard this used for men, but not for women, so I was interested to see this here.

Until next time, Happy Rambles