| Let us understand from the start that the | | | | jewels, a fan, perhaps a reticule, and satin |
| term "Undress" did not signify being | | | | slippers. Other accessories could also be |
| unclothed. Likewise, "Half Dress" did not | | | | worn or on hand: feathers, boas, shawls, |
| mean one was literally half- dressed. The | | | | scarves and fans, to name the most common. |
| terms are categorical, not literal. Like | | | | |
| Full-Dress, their name referred more to | | | | The following gowns constituted Undress. # |
| function than a state of being. In which case | | | | Morning dress # Walking-out dress # |
| you may ask, 'What does it all mean?' | | | | Carriage dress # Promenade dress # |
| | | | Afternoon dress # Riding dress (or Habit) # |
| It means there had to be many gowns in a | | | | Half-dress |
| genteel Regency lady's wardrobe--regardless | | | | |
| of the size of her fortune. Indeed, to be | | | | See the difference? In theory, you were in |
| active in society the necessity of owning a | | | | Undress in the morning, Half-dress in the |
| large wardrobe could hardly be avoided. In a | | | | afternoon, and Full Dress for evening events. |
| small town such as Longbourne (where the | | | | (Such as, a dinner or soiree, opera, ballet, |
| Bennett's lived) the categories no doubt | | | | theatre, concert, or ball). Court Dress was |
| overlapped more than they would, say, for a | | | | also considered Full Dress, though it had |
| debutante in London. | | | | extravagant requirements that no other |
| | | | occasion called for. |
| Nevertheless, a number of categories of dress | | | | |
| were necessary, and of course there would | | | | According to the Georgian Index, a wonderful |
| have to be variety within each category--and | | | | online resource for Regency fans, Dinner |
| this, no matter where you dwelt, for there | | | | Dress and Opera Dress fall into the category |
| were different uses forthe different | | | | of "Half Dress." And only "Evening, Ball and |
| categories, as we shall see. | | | | Court Dresses" passed as Full Dress. Is your |
| | | | head swimming, yet? If not, consider that the |
| Having said that, one could argue there are | | | | Riding Habit might not fit into any of the |
| only two main categories of clothing for the | | | | above, but simply constitute a category in |
| Regency belle: Undress and Full Dress. In | | | | its own right! |
| this "model", Undress includes all of the | | | | |
| gowns worn during the day, and what is | | | | Ah, so many dresses, so little time! No |
| otherwise called Half Dress. (Which is to | | | | wonder the all-important Regency "season" was |
| say, the majority of clothing for daytime, | | | | a roller-coaster ride of entertainments, |
| and even perhaps, informal evening wear.) | | | | diversions and delights. A lady must needs |
| | | | have enough events to make use of such an |
| Day gowns include any gown worn for the | | | | extensive wardrobe, and enough gowns in her |
| morning, walking out, shopping, carriage | | | | possession to attend them in "the mode." Pity |
| riding, or making calls. Full Dress, on the | | | | the poor chit who couldn't follow protocol or |
| other hand, was for the evening Ball, very | | | | dress for the occasion. Such was the |
| fancy Dinner, Opera or appearance at Court. | | | | challenge for families with more pretension |
| (The Royal Court, not a court of law.) | | | | than means, who wished to launch a Regency |
| | | | buck or belle into the swirl of the |
| The chief difference between Undress and Full | | | | fashionable elite. |
| was a lower bodice for the evening, but in | | | | |
| practice full dress implied a whole ensemble; | | | | The Regency. There's never been a time quite |
| A short-sleeved empire-waisted, low-necked | | | | like it. You've got to love it! |
| gown, (generally of muslin but by no means | | | | |
| restricted to such) and including evening | | | | PS:(I didn't forget about Headdress. Article |
| gloves, a fancy headdress of some sort, a few | | | | coming soon! |