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Article #114: Elizabeth Bennet's Wardrobe: Undress, Half Dress, Full Dress, Headdress! Making Sense of it All

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






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