Hilary DavidsonDress in the Age of Jane Austen: Regency Fashion

This book deserves 5 stars and more, but someone made poor decisions about its format. It's printed in gray, small type using a very "twee" typeface--the kind better suited to little gift books than to real scholarship, which this has in plenty. The illustrations are well-chosen and the information sound, but very hard to access because of these issues.

The book is fully and nicely illustrated with profuse bibliography and index, Austen's family tree. list of Austen's characters, changes in Construction of Women's Gowns, (1790--1820), glossary, Notes, Picture Credits. Chapters are Introduction, Self, Home, Village, Country, City, Nation, World, and Conclusion. Hilary Davidson is a dress and textile historian and curator based between Britain and Australia, where she is an honorary associate at the University of Sydney. She has lectured, broadcast and published extensively across her field.

This book gives far more than a detailed look at fashions of the Regency era. Davidson also shows how global trade expanded even amidst the Napoleonic wars, and how trade and cultural exchange affected English clothing. The author gives examples of how Austen’s relatives and friends brought Chinese and Indian goods and fashion news to her homes. I now see Colonel Brandon’s flannel waistcoat (Sense and Sensibility) as a mark of an experienced military man, not as an old, rheumatic man as Marianne did. And I know that in the recent Emma movie, Harriet and other students’ red cloaks , which seem to scream “Handmaids,” were commonly worn by both gentry and working-class women. The book is generously illustrated and an enjoyable read. My only complaint is that the font is small and is gray rather than black, making it difficult for my aging eyes.

If you're a Regency fan, this is such a great book to have on your bookshelf. Obviously everyone loves looking at the pretty pictures (and it doesn't disappoint on that front!) But I read this thing cover to cover. It's just packed with information, including about topics that are harder to research- hairstyles, cosmetics, undergarments, what you would wear to schlump around the house, etc. I can't recommend it highly enough!

This book is beautifully and lavishly illustrated ,with wonderful commentary for a most reasonable price - I would highly reccommend it to anyone with a serious interest in the fashion and style of England at the time of Jane Austen.

I love everything Victorian & Edwardian. This book is definitely a collectors item. The hard cover is so much prettier than the online picture. I have not finished reading the book but has excellent information about their fashions.

Bought this for my wife, as she is passionate about the style and fashion of the Regency Era. She loves it, and has asked for more books like it. Wonderful!

A wonderful presentation on the clothing that would have been worn by the characters that are so beloved.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a book in possession of apposite, elegant and extensive illustrations, must be in want of a good review. This volume does not disappoint the reader, and its pictures (and colour photographs) of numerous contemporary garments are chosen from global sources. I believe the scholarship to be worthy, and I shall be ever sensible of the warmest gratitude to Hilary Davidson, who has thoroughly and effectively informed her readership and (with humour) united them with the essence of Jane Austen's society.

Very interesting book with lost of information and beautiful pictures.

Really a beautiful and interesting book.

This book is absolutely beautiful and full of great information. Wonderful.

Compelling research, beautifully written.