Fashion is one of the topics I love to talk about on A Tale of Two Hittys, and fashion goes hand in hand with history. For example, the Regency era in England, from 1795-1820, saw a dramatic shift in women’s fashions. It was a rebellion against the overly elaborate and formal costumes of the 18th century. The new look emphasized classic lines and simplicity. Most dresses featured a very high waistline and a long, straight skirt, inspired by classical Greek and Roman clothing.
When I think of the Regency era, I also think of the author Jane Austen, born 250 years ago today on December 16, 1775. Her popular novels were some of the first to show intelligent, witty women as equals to men. Jane excelled at social commentary and sparkling dialog. Because of her memorable characters, we still read and enjoy her novels in modern times.
To celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, my wooden tuck comb doll Eleanor told me that she needed to have a new Regency dress. For inspiration, I used the book Regency Era Fashion Plates: 1800-1819. I have had this book for quite some time. It contains hand-colored fashion plates from antique periodicals. Eleanor’s dress is made from a red and white cotton print with a high waist, straight skirt and long sleeves. You can see the top of her cotton chemise (undershirt) peeking out beneath the neckline. I added the criss-cross ribbon detail around the bodice and sleeves for a fun embellishment. Eleanor likes to look fancy!
Fashion can be about more than just clothing. The book Jane Austen in Style is a beautiful feast for the eyes which lets you enter the world of the country gentry at the time Jane was alive. It covers home and garden, kitchens, furniture, wallpaper, fabrics and of course, clothing. To be fashionable, a woman had to project the proper image, which included appropriate pastimes and hobbies. Women like Jane were expected to be skilled at sewing and embroidering. On the left is a chinoiserie work cabinet for storing needles and thread. The background shows a pieced quilt created by Jane and her mother. On the right is a watercolor portrait of Jane’s niece Fanny Austen Knight, painted by Jane’s sister Cassandra. The sampler was also made by Cassandra.
Cassandra painted this watercolor sketch of Jane that I found in an annotated version of Jane Austen’s last published novel, Persuasion. The right hand page shows the unfinished sketch dated circa 1811. This is the only likeness of Jane made during her lifetime. The caption says:
Charlotte-Maria Beckford remembered Jane about this time “as a tall thin spare person, with very high cheek bones, great colour—sparkling Eyes not large but joyous & intelligent.”
If you want to learn more about Jane’s life, check out Lucy Worsley’s Jane Austen at Home: A Biography. Lucy Worsley is a noted historian and author who has created educational television programs about history for the BBC. She researches each topic thoroughly and writes in a way that both informs and entertains. In this view of Lucy’s book you can see a portrait of Jane. The caption says it was made as a publicity portrait for a book published after Jane’s death. It appears to be derived from Cassandra’s sketch. Jane’s niece said it was a pleasing face but not a very good likeness.
I found a version of this portrait of Jane in the public domain on Wikimedia Commons. Even though it might not be what Jane really looked like, I decided to colorize the portrait with AI software to celebrate her birthday. Here is the result.
Then I used the watercolor sketch by Cassandra to make a second version with more of a hand-painted look. Which one do you like best?
I hope you all enjoy this special day and find a fun way to celebrate Jane Austen’s life.
Sources:
“1795-1820 in Western fashion.” Wikipedia.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/1795%E2%80%931820_in_Western_fashion. Accessed December 2025.
Austen, Jane, with Morrison, Robert editor. Persuasion: An Annotated Edition. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2011.
Foster, Mandy and Perry, Danielle. Regency Era Fashion Plates: 1800-1819. Timely Tresses, 2008.
Lucy Worsley’s website. www.lucyworsley.com/
Portrait of Jane Austen. Wikimedia Commons. www.commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jane_Austen.jpg. Accessed December 2025.
Portrait of Jane Austen by Cassandra. Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen#/media/File:CassandraAusten-JaneAusten(c.1810)_hires.jpg. Accessed December 2025.
“Regency Period.” Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regency_era. Accessed December 2025.
Watkins, Susan. Jane Austen in Style. Thames and Hudson, 1990.
Worsley, Lucy. Jane Austen at Home: A Biography. St. Martin’s Press, 2017.
