The Regency Era (commonly cited as 1812-1830, though the dates are uncertain) formally started when the Prince of Wales was appointed Regent of England following the insanity of his father, George III. This era was markedly distinct from what came before it, Georgian indulgence and excess, and what came after it, Victorian morality. Fashion, of course, reflected this shift.

What Do You Mean By Regency Period?

The first challenge in researching Regency literature is being explicit about the historical periods involved. Technically, the reign of a prince regent rather than a king of England lasted just nine years, from 1811 to 1820. This occurred when King George III was considered incapable of leading his own realm owing to mental issues. The Regency Act gave his son, George IV, the authority to reign in his place. George III died in 1820, allowing his son to become king and reign in his own right.
So, in terms of political and historical definition, that is the formal Regency Period.

Fashion in the Eighteenth Century!

The clothes of the seventeenth century were extraordinarily detailed, made of rich brocades and satins with abundant lace trim and quilted, beaded underskirts supported by an intricate infrastructure of hoops and panniers. The whole thing would be capped with magnificent wigs, enormous feathers, and massive caps.

How Did the French Revolution Influence the Regency Period?

By the 1790s, a major shift had occurred. The French Revolution and its "democratic" ideas sparked the transition. As silks gave way to light muslins, clinging lines, high waistlines, and arm-bearing sleeves, noblewomen and their servants equally dressed in the new style. These new fashions were classically influenced, fashioned after the ideals of the Greek and Roman empires that the Revolution imitated.

Certain Elements of Regency Era Fashion:

Certain elements of fashion were quite similar throughout the Regency.

• Necklines were low and broad, with focus, scarves, or chemisettes filling in the gaps during the day
• A High Waistline;
• A Fitting Bodice;
• Fitted Sleeves, either short and puffed, elbow-length, or long.

How Did This Era's Day Clothes Look?

• The most prevalent kind of clothing for day wear was one that was quite traditional in feel and design—what we now call "typical Regency."
• It had a high waist, a broad neckline, and long sleeves.
  Chemisettes or fichus, generally composed of filmy materials, were utilized to fill in the neckline. * * Back fastenings were often absent; a lady could simply lift the dress over her shoulders and knot the drawstrings.
• Even day dresses featured trains in the early Regency period; however, this pattern waned after 1805.
• Longer, tighter sleeves on Regency era ball gowns gradually gave way to the shorter, puffed design.
• A hook or button at the neckline was frequently added to the drawstring fastening.
  Waistlines continued to shift, and new, smooth bodices, not gathered but fitted with darts, began to appear in 1807-08.
• The skirts of an early Regency era wedding dress were classic simple, with minimal trim or embroidery.

Regency Period Evening Gowns:

Evening Regency era wedding dresses were designed with richly colored silk fabric and metallic embellishments, but the style was Classical, with high waists, narrow shapes, and close-fitting, long sleeves. As with day clothing, a train was required.

• In general, evening wear resembled day clothing trends.
• When trains were phased out of daytime attire, they were optional for evening wear.
• Waistlines rose and fell, and textiles grew simpler before reverting to more intricate silks, satins, and velvets.
• Hems were ornately embellished with fake flowers, beading, lace, and netting.
• Sleeves expanded, becoming more collected and puffed.
• The original classical simplicity of attire had all but disappeared by 1815.