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