1820s dress ball gowns

Fashion Plate, ‘Ball Dress’ for ‘The Repository of Arts’, Rudolph Ackermann (England, London, 1764-1834), England, London, May 1, 1826, Prints, Hand-colored engraving on paper.

Fashion Plate, ‘Ball Dress’ for ‘The Repository of Arts’, Rudolph Ackermann (England, London, 1764-1834), England, London, March 1, 1825, Prints, Hand-colored engraving on paper.

Fashion Plate, ‘Dinner Dress’ for ‘The Repository of Arts’, Rudolph Ackermann (England, London, 1764-1834), England, London, April 1, 1825, Prints, Hand-colored engraving on paper.

Fashion Plate, 'Ball Dress' for 'La Belle Assemblée', John Bell (England, 1745 - 1831), England, London, February 1, 1819, Prints, Hand-colored engraving on paper.

published by J. Robins & Co, published in The Ladies' Pocket Magazine hand-coloured etching published 1 March 1825 © National Portrait Gallery, London

Here is a scrumptious early 1820s ballgown (when all the puffs and furbelows really came into style with a bang!). Look at all the detailing on this gown and imagine the work! The slashed sleeves are simply a feast for the eyes, and the cording on the bodice just amazes me with its perfect stitch

Recently I was wearing my mother's yellow silk regency dress. A gentleman started telling me about the history of dyes, and was postulating that in the regency period dresses were black, white, or grey, with the occasional red dress for someone extravagant. Now, I understand that the aniline dyes opened a whole world of exciting possibilities (I do love doing 1860s clothes!), but this struck me as excessive. I got a little paranoid. But now I've done some research and I feel much better. I…

Evening dress of silk satin trimmed with applied silk satin and silk bobbin lace, possibly made in Great Britain or France, 1820-1823