Women’s Clothing in Regency England

It is always so very interesting to see the changes in women’s fashions. What was considered fashionable at one time is now obsolete. Gowns from long ago are called dresses today. We wear hats occasionally. But at one time they were a necessity.

Today, most people wear underwear beneath clothes. Some people don’t. No one seems to care one way or another. Children are forever trying to get a way without wearing underwear.

But in Regency England, underwear was not an article of clothing the women wore. It seems it was risqué to wear any type of drawers. Of course, they had layer upon layer of clothing, so I suppose one more layer might be too much. And it was one less thing to worry about when using the privy. It just seems so odd, that a culture so taken with propriety gave way to convenience.

For to me it seems very inconvenient

1st layer - shift. A formless type gown that would fall to your knees with a drawstring neckline.
2nd layer - corset. It was pulled tight and tied in the back by a maid or a sister.
3rd layer- waist petticoat. This was slipped on beneath your corset to cover your shift and was made of wool or muslin. Some petticoats would go with certain gowns if the gown had an opening in the front and would complement the outer gown’s colors.
4th layer - the gown. But even that is divided up into two categories.
1. Morning gown worn from breakfast until dinner
a. Made of heavy or sturdy fabric
b. No low necklines
c. If your gown has a low neckline, wear a chemisette, a fichu or gauze to fill in the space between your neck and the gown.

2. Evening gown
a. Worn for dinner
b. Elegant and flimsy, lowest neckline possible