So in the basis of presenting a good representation of
period clothing starts not with the outside but what you wear under the
garment. To get the appropriate look you need a good foundation just like with
anything else. In Regency era it starts with the shift or chemise (if you want
to be fancy.) Its job is to protect your clothing from your body. Yes you read
that right. Its main purpose is to keep your sweat from your outer garments. It
was short sleeved at this time and would remain so going into the early 1900s.
Originals seem to appear that they go to just above ones ankles which is where
they had been for the last 1,000 years. They were loose and seem to be gathered
at the top, tied at the top or buttoned at the top and made of cheap cotton.
You would have more of these in your wardrobe than any other garment, usually
enough to get you to the next laundry day. The one that I am going to try to
recreate is below.
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| MFA Boston |
Next was your bodies or stays
also called a corset. Generally made of canvas, it might have a small amount of
boning in it to help give you support. The idea during this time is to give
your breast not only support but oomph. More so then any other period before. This
would be your tightest clothing. They shapes and styles varied and what you
chose probably depended on what you needed. More support maybe it would be a
bit longer. This time period was going for the Grecian look so if you filled
out your dress more you might go for the longer too to help unify your shape
down your hips. If you were older and you were raised in the 1790s you may also
be more comfortable in this style so while on the outside you still look 1820s
you still feel the support you were used to in the 1790s. I can’t tell you who
would wear what because undergarments aren’t generally depicted but from
surviving examples they do appear more common.
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| Metropolitan Museum of art |
I am going to recreate a
different version though. I am going for the short stays. While supportive they
end just underneath my chest (or lack there of). These are also called half stays.
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| Muesse Galeria Paris |
Next are the panteletts or
drawers. They were opened at the crotch so the woman could relieve her self and
first came into play in the 1700s. Ending about mid calf with a little lace and
made of cotton again.
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| Vintagetextiles.com |
Of course there are the
stockings, if I have time I am going to knit myself a beautiful red or white
knee high pair and a pair of white garters. If I don’t have time (which seems
more likely) digging for my blue pair I used to wear when I was doing Civil War reenacting.
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| MFA Boston |
There is also the shoes. Here is what I will be on the lookout for.
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| Victoria Albert Museum |
Till next time here’s sewing with you.
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| Sense and Sensability Patterns |
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