An evening suit if attempted to be described in colours, would be literally a repetition of what was laid down in our last number, as the approach of Lent necessarily prevented much alteration in coloured clothes by its customary introduction of black, which of course will ever be considered the most appropriate dress during that season; we can therefore only say, that kerseymere waistcoats and small clothes are much more prevalent than silk, which, though most assuredly more of a dress, has been gradually reducing in consumption for these many years; and satins, which were so essentially necessary to compleat the dress of a gentleman a few years back, are now totally exploded, and a pair of satin breeches would attract the observation of every beholder almost as much as a maroon coloured coat.
In addition to observations on Morning Dress, we have noticed many gentlemen in plain buff kerseymere waistcoats of a very pale colour, and which certainly have a neat appearance, particularly such as we have seen with an edging of the same stuff; some few waistcoats have also been introduced of a sort of pearl colour, and also some scarlet kerseymeres, which after being rejected for several years seem to be again coming into notice; but as they do not correspond with coats usually worn, nor afford a pleasant contrast, they are not likely to become by any means general; indeed, blue or dark brown or corbeau colour coats are the only ones that can well be worn with a scarlet waistcoat.— Brown top boots seem to be somewhat more worn than they have been for some time past, and which are almost constantly accompanied by kerseymere breeches; leather being now almost exploded from the thigh of a man of fashion, and scarcely maintains the preference even in the chase.
We have also observed that many gentlemen in their morning walks have attempted to introduce a sort of shooting dress, by parading in a short coat of any light colour, and with drab colour cloth or kerseymere gaiters to come up to the knees; but, however well such a dress may suit a watering place, or a walk over the grounds of an estate, we do not think it adapted to the promenade of Bond-street.
Happenings and Fashion of the Regency Haut Ton in January 1807 The following text comes from the first chapter of The Follies and Fashions of our Grandfathers (1807), a compilation of news and fashion from periodicals in the year 1807 as edited by Andrew W. Tuer and published in 1886. Five hundred cards of invitation are issued for Mrs. Shallowhead’s masquerade on Tuesday —...
Morning Dress, Opera Dress, Murder Dress — Fashions and Poisons from the Late Regency Era So, you’re writing along on your next historical fiction masterpiece and you come to that place in your story where a character has to die by a “sedative and narcotic poison.” The first thing you think is: what does the murderess wear? I’ll give you another scenario. You’re writing your...
How to Dress Becomingly in Victorian Mourning The following appeared in Arthur’s Home Magazine published in 1885 in Philadelphia. HOW TO DRESS BECOMINGLY IN MOURNING By Ella Rodman Church. BLACK has been so generally worn for a long time past that it is not always easy to distinguish between those who are in mourning and those who are not. It is...
On Morning Calls and Hosting Dinner Parties, Balls and Routs in the Late Regency In my last post, we examined gentlemen’s etiquette, so it’s only fair to see how the ladies are behaving. I’m excerpting from the British edition (the book was later released in America) of Domestic Duties; Or, Instructions To Young Married Ladies On The Management Of Their Households, And The Regulation Of Their Conduct...
Paris Costumes a Bride and Suggests a Trousseau – 1922 From The Ladies’ Home Journal, September 1922. Paris Costumes a Bride and Suggests a Trousseau The bride who decides upon a formal wedding, no matter what the hour, must wear a wedding gown of white, with a veil and usually … Continue reading →...
Nancy Mayer explains Regency Marriage Laws and How to Dissolve a Regency Marriage. This is an excerpt from an article by Nancy Mayer. You can read the entirety of it on her website The Regency Researcher. As many of you know, I’m her web mistress. After March 25, 1754, when the Hardwicke Act for the Prevention of Clandestine Marriages went into effect, couples marrying...
An American House Servant’s Directory from 1827 A few weeks ago, I came across a curious volume titled The House Servant’s Directory by Robert Roberts. Published in 1827, this book is filled with wonderful details about early nineteenth century household management in America. What is particularly interesting is … Continue reading →...
Hot Regency Fashion Trends for Winter 1816 From Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions, by Rudolph Ackermann, Frederic Shober. 1816 Promenade dress. A high dress of cambric muslin trimmed at the bottom with a single flounce of work. The body, which is composed entirely of work, fits the shape without any fullness. A plain long sleeve, finished by a triple...
The Victorian Gentleman’s Guide To Dressing For Less Wow. My blog life has gotten much easier since I began collecting all my historical material on Pinterest. Organization is a good thing in both my real and cyber worlds. Today I’m excerpting from The Gentleman’s Art of Dressing with Economy, by a Lounger at the Clubs, published in 1876. The images can...
2 Replies to “General Observations On Regency Gentlemen’s Dress For March 1807”
Interesting post, Susanna! You certainly don’t see “kerseymere” very often in historical romances. I had to look it up. The OED defines it as “a twilled fine woollen cloth of a peculiar texture, one-third of the warp being always above, and two-thirds below each shoot of the weft.” Of course now I know exactly what it looks like (well, maybe not).
Thank you! I had to post this article. It’s hard to find info on men’s fashions.
Interesting post, Susanna! You certainly don’t see “kerseymere” very often in historical romances. I had to look it up. The OED defines it as “a twilled fine woollen cloth of a peculiar texture, one-third of the warp being always above, and two-thirds below each shoot of the weft.” Of course now I know exactly what it looks like (well, maybe not).
Thank you! I had to post this article. It’s hard to find info on men’s fashions.