The Regency Era
Technically the period from 1800 to 1837 is considered Late Georgian, but the years from 1800-1825 are considered Regency because George III’s son, later George IV, was made Regent, ruling in place of his ailing father. The years from 1800 to 1825 are famous for their neo-classical approach to music, fashion, art and décor.
In England the era spawned a golden age of poetry. Lord Byron became the "rock star" of his era. Mozart gave way to the passion of Beethoven. Décor, inspired by the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome inspired an entirely new simplified look rich with pinks, pastels, and delicate wallpapers. The bawdy became demure. The undisciplined promiscuous teenaged girl became chaste and virginal, her reputation guarded by parents and society. The undisciplined ignorance of the Georgian child of either gender gave way to a renaissance of learning. More importantly, the melodramatic writings of Mrs. Radcliffe gave rise to the purely Regency creation of Frankenstein. Inspired by the writing of Mrs. Radcliffe, Jane Austen gave birth to the modern novel.
Not only did fashions change in the extreme, but so did behavior. Baths were required weekly for those in the lower aristocracy. Wealthier individuals were required to bathe daily. Fresh, clean clothing was also required. Perfume was used sparingly. Men who dressed the dandy in paint and lace became the object of laughter. The modern macho man was beginning to take shape. The ruling alpha male in the Regency world was the "Corinthian". He was a gambler, a protector of innocence and virtue, and always stoic. His attire was always black, very much a fashionable form of uniform consisting of a clean white shirt, tie, and clean collar. His trousers, jacket, boots, great coat and hat were almost always black.
There were strict rules of fashion during the Regency period for women as well. If a film adaptation of Jane Austen is to be successful, it must follow these rules. A young women, usually in her late teens would be out in society, introduced in grand fashion if her parents had the financial and social status necessary to propel her into a "good" (i.e. financially and socially appropriate) match. Until she reached her middle twenties or was married, a young women wore either white or pastels. Once married or once expectations were dashed and marriage was a dream of the past, a woman could wear darker colors. Mourning required a full year of unrelieved black, then gray, then purple, then lavender, then a woman could return to her regular colors.
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