· My Very Own White Regency Dress ·

Here's another "from the archives" dress!  This dress was made back in 2009 in preparation for a trip to England.  I wanted a new dress for the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, and I knew it was high time that I finally had my very own White Regency Dress.

I knew they were rather overdone and a dime a dozen, but I just couldn't resist the siren call....  I tried to add more details and think outside the box a bit so that it wasn't too predictable. ;-)

There was a gown in Kyoto Costume Institute's "Fashion" book that really spoke to me.  I loved the vandyke trim and how unusual it was!  I also noticed that a center front skirt decoration was rather common in many garments I saw, so I wanted to be sure to incorporate that.

I knew I wanted short sleeves so that it could be ball-suitable, but I was making it in my Puffy Sleeve Phobia phase. (I'm glad I grow out of most phases, because this one in particular proved to be a bit of a handicap at times! :-P)  I discovered a fashion for smooth short sleeves though, so that's what I ended up doing!  I am still rather fond of the look, and I like how they're a bit uncommon for most reproductions. :-)

The dress is yet another bib-front gown- I really do like those!  I made it like I did my block-print gown, which you can read about here.  The added bonus to bib-fronts is that they're super adjustable! ;-)

The fabric was an embroidered voile from JoAnns that added a nice textural interest.  I made the trim from a strip of plain voile and folded it into the vandyke points.

This necklace is just a vintage paste stone necklace from an antique mall.  I really don't recall how historically accurate it is for Regency, but I think it's pretty anyway. ;-)

The skirt is also trimmed with vandyke points, however these are all made separately and handstitched on.

I was glad the skirt wasn't super full. ;-)

This dress closes with Dorset buttons made by my mom. :-)  I love all the white-on-white textures and visual interest in this shot!

Also, I'm wearing this dress with my trusty Old Faithful- my chemisette.  I'll be doing a post next week highlighting what a huge difference it makes in the way these dresses look!  I just really love it. :-D

Due to the fashionably narrow back, the sleeves are gathered tightly between the shoulder and side-back seams to allow for the needed motion.  It does a remarkably good job, while not looking oddly puffy when my arms are in their normal position.  I always think it's fascinating to discover the fashionable ideals from a period, and then see their ways of accomplishing the sometimes nearly-insurmountable physical obstacles! ;-)

I wanted the dress to be on the shorter side to show off my shoe lacing and I'm rather fond of the look! :-)

And of course, I'm wearing it with my turban.  Because everyone needs more excuses for turbans.

Mine was made using Lynn McMasters' Padded Turban Tutorial using leftover scraps from my Sari Dress.  Since I made it, I've ended up just wrapping shawls into turbans most of the time instead of wearing this one.  After wearing this again though, I remember how much I do like it. :-)

Back when I made it in 2009, I was a bit young for a turban and was advised by a Much More Well-Informed Woman to wait until I was 21 before I wore them.  I was thrilled when I finally turned 21. :-D

Of all the things 21 brings- turbans are the best, I think.

· Huge thanks to Kathryn for taking these pictures twice!  I didn't like the way I looked the first time (humidity is my Greatest Nemesis!!), and she was a super kind and obliging friend and re-did them for me. :-) ·

My friends are much too nice sometimes. ;-)