Regency Fashion in Winter

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Pelisses, spencers, cloaks, redingotes: What did a lady
wear for the colder months during the Regency?

Step inside the pages of this little ebook and you’ll get an
idea. This is not a treatise or costume reference book,
mind you, but an entertaining look at fashions of
yesteryear. All in all, I think it was more difficult to stay
warmer for women than men during the regency (when
outdoors) and as the century wore on, women’s clothing
became smarter and more protective. But don’t take my
word for it: Take a peek and see for yourself!

Above: A fine dress for colder weather. Notice the velvety
quality of the fabric. No doubt it was heavy, but the short
sleeves and low bodice explains the warm shawl or cloak which
you can see has been artfully allowed to drape around her for
the portrait. I like the furry edging on the shawl (or cloak?). The
pillow may have been to supply greater warmth for her feet
while she sat for the portrait.

Left: Not a winter dress particularly, but the shawl suggests
chillier weather. Shawls were not just accessories to look
pretty or complement an outfit—they were truly necessary for
comfort. During the day, women could wear long-sleeved
garments which provided greater warmth, but if they went
anywhere in the evening where they would be among company,
short sleeves were generally the rule.

Brought to you by Inspirational Romance Author Linore Rose Burkard.

Right: A daytime outfit (painted after the regency, I
believe) but showing that even with long sleeves, a shawl
or cloak was still a comfort to have on hand. The lady has
removed her bonnet, however, which suggests the day
was warmer than she expected.

Left:

Walking Costume,

1815. Doesn’t appear particularly warm, and was
probably suitable only for spring or early autumn.

Right:

We usually see the oft-
depicted Mademoiselle
Recamier when she is
young (and scantily clad);
here, she is older, and
dressed quite warmly.
High ruff on the neck, a
sturdy cap, a shawl and
warm material for her
dress all infer that this
portrait was done during
winter. The dress sleeves
look very substantial, almost quilted in their effect.
(puffy). Overall, a nice comfortable ensemble for
colder days.

Long sleeves, one or more petticoats, stockings, a shawl and scarf (and bonnet) do not
seem
to
suffice
for this
young

woman. She also wears gloves and flimsy shoes (they even called them “slippers”)’ as
well as “ice skates.” The gentleman, to my eyes, looks warmer here, as ever.


Left:

The costume on this young
lady lacks only the scarf of
her counterpart, above, for
warmth; and her shawl is
light and open, suggesting
milder weather. If twelve
years have gone by
(suggested by the earlier
date on the pic, above), it is
surprising how similarly the
women are dressed.

Right: 19th Century shoes. Sturdier than the “slippers”
favored for evening wear during the Regency.


Left:

1817 Walking Dress.
Much more sensible and
warmer than what we’ve
seen, previously.


The child, above, in the confectioner’s shop, gets to wear pantalettes. Ladies out of the
school room had to make do with stockings, though in winter these would be woolen.


Right: No year is given,
unfortunately, but this costume is
designed for colder seasons.
Nevertheless, the area around the
ankles and lower legs must have
been chilly.

Love that lush scarf, and tiny
matching reticule!

Below: A woman who liked ruffles
and bows, to be sure! She looks
warm, however, and sports one of
the fanciest caps I’ve seen.

Right: 1833. After the death of George IV, and not
regency, but still four years preceding Victoria. The
clothing is much sturdier and warmer looking. In
winter, an overcoat or heavy shawl would go over
the gowns.


Heartening to see that here, in
November 1816 “Dinner Dress”
includes a long sleeved spencer over
the gown. The matching head-dress
no doubt helped keep its wearer warm
as well.

The woman also wears buff-yellow
colored gloves. (But did she eat with
them on? I doubt it!)

Below: In the absence of a pelisse
or redingote, women wore shawls.


Both women are wearing
spencers. The dark red on the
left woman looks warmer, while
the one on the left is highly
adorned.To make up for short
sleeves, perhaps, she wears
long gloves and carries a wide
scarf or shawl.

(The writing says “Dame in
Spencer.”)

Left: The flimsy gown is no match for the weather. (Most
women of the day would have found this highly mortifying.)

Caption: “Ah, such wind!”


Later Regency: On the right, a higher hemline and lower waist is an indication of being
later in the Regency, as well as the highly adorned “hems”.

Below left: For once, a really warm cloak! In Before the Season Ends, Miss Ariana
Forsythe sports a similar design, a pelisse that is “ermine lined and edged, worth every
shilling,” according to her aunt, Mrs. Bentley.

Below, right: Much earlier, 1799. Both
gowns have an overdress making them
unusually sturdy.

Notice
that the
hems
fall to
the
ground.


Above, right, and below:
Quintessential Regency winter
wear—not nearly as effective at
protecting a lady from the elements
as the style on the left. The

redingote on the ladies on the right (above,
right, and right) happen to be red, but they
could be any colour.

.


An Idealized Winter Scene

Here we have winter outdoors and in.
Above, a painting by Frank Dadd, gives us
an affectionate, idealized glimpse into the
past.
Right: “Winter”

On the right “Winter,” is an old print, which shows, remarkably, an entire family
huddling around the fire in one room, while allowing the elder son (or daughter)
the use of the other room to dance and frolic with friends.

Now take a
look at an
illustration
from 1890,
and contrast
the outerwear
of the women
to what we
have seen on
Regency
women:

Heavy fur
coats, muffs,
& high collars. It’s about time! (Even Victorian women had better outerwear than
regencians, however.)


Here are a few illustrations of men from the day. Having the advantage of shirts and
voluminous cravats that kept the upper chest and neck covered was an advantage during
the colder months. Women could easily do this during the day, (wear high-collared
gowns, for instance) but evening wear required a lower-cut bodice. Additionally, the
popularity of leather or deerskin breeches and pantaloons was superior for leg warmth
say, than stockings, and men could also wear woolens beneath their attire.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this small glimpse into
regency winter wear! Below, a few terms to make
sure you’ve got your clothing right:

Pelisse—a long outer garment, usually lined or edged with fur.

Redingote-- a long, unlined, lightweight coat, open down the front,
worn by women.

Cloak—a loose outer garment. In Georgian days, cloaks were often hooded;

Cape—a Sleeveless garment, usually hanging over the shoulders and back, and tied at the
neck.

Mantle—Similar to a cape but shorter. A winter mantle is seen on pg. 11, bottom.

Spencer—a short, tight-fitting garment, often made to match a gown; removable, with long
sleeves. There were spencers for men as well as women.

Stole--a woman's shoulder scarf of fur, marabou, silk, or other material. Also called a tippet.


Pattens—For the feet during rainy or snowy weather, pattens were protective overshoes worn
over one’s shoes. Jane Austen wrote of the “ceaseless click of pattens” in Bath, England. .

Half-boots-Still popular today, a boot extending just above the ankle.

Muff—a case for the hands covered with fur or other soft material, for women and girls.

Other Accessories: Umbrella, Reticule, Scarf or boa, Shawl and (of course) gloves.

Two more male outdoor illustrations.

Morning dress for women (above) was conducive to warmth and comfort.

Linore Rose Burkard writes Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul. Her
characters take you back in time to experience life and love during the Regency
England era (circa 1800 – 1830). Ms. Burkard’s novels include Before the Season
Ends, The House on Grosvenor Square, and, The Country House Courtship.
Her stories blend Christian faith and romance with well-researched details from the
Regency period.

Romance for the Jane Austen Soul: Experience a romantic age, where manners and
morals are timeless; and happy endings are always possible.

For more information, visit: www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com

Regency Fashion in Winter

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Regency Fashion in Winter