Let's Talk English Regency Court Dress -- The Most Unusual Style in History

It seems that a lot of people out there are unaware of one of the most unusual styles in history -- Court dress from the Regency period in England.

The costumes in Bridgerton are spreading some misconceptions. Their Queen Charlotte was not wearing court dress from 1813. Queen Charlotte's style did evolve to match the Regency fashions. But she did require that hoops were worn at court. And this is what those fashions actually looked like.

*Resources*

Pinterest Boards on English Regency Court Dress:

*Links*

[melissamybubbles]

It's like a barbie cake from my childhood.

[evilempryss]

Anyone else remember those crochet toilet paper covers from the 80s? The ones with the dolls stuck in the center? That's what these remind me of

[CookieScrat]

I just LOVED how you delivered the quote by Richard Rush, it felt so alive and passionate! And thank you for bringing light to these very odd gowns, it's such a shame that we didn't get to see them in Bridgerton. With the way the show loved to play with fabrics and textures for the dresses, I feel like these court gowns would have been super fun and would have fitted in quite well in the show.

[michellecornum]

That was the kindest thing I have ever heard about English Regency Court gowns. This was very interesting. The weirdness of these remind me of the dresses of 1920 and 1921 where what would have been a lovely Flapper gown was weirdly poofed out on the bottom. It's funny how fashion history goes Clunk, Meh, WOW, What the ? Repeat. It's interesting that an attempt has even been made. Thank you for this. Stay well.

[TealCheetah]

When you need to steal your host's flatscreen tv

[evilempryss]

Miss Thompson could have easily hid her predicament while wearing English Regency Court gowns 😮

[Tinymoezzy]

I wore one on my wedding day.
It was unique and confusing to some of my family that didn't understand my love of historical costumes.

[LauriesPlace]

HOOPS - The original Social Distancing Device

[kikikoko]

I've seen people compare these dresses to the Barbie cake dresses but they also really remind me of those crocheted doll toilet paper covers that my grandma (and many others her age) used to have in the bathroom! I suppose that's where my fascination for these things slowly began 😅 Lovely video as usual!

[Pcy-tnbk]

“oh your priceless heirloom painting is missing? What a shame! I have no idea where it could have gone🤔”

[AnnekeOosterink]

I remember watching a BBC fashion documentary from the 50s where the presenter talked about little things that remained when fashions changed but some things remained. She mentioned the court dress, where the hoops stayed, and men's coats, the buttons on the back that once had a function in the early 1700s, were only for looks in the early 1800s, as well as the coattails that once were basically a long jacket, that to this day are still part of white tie, the elaborate capes worn by Oxford dons used to be like monk's cowls, for warmth, but now purely ceremonial rather than practical. She pointed out quite a lot of those things in all of fashion history it was very interesting! :)

[studious_nonchalance]

It's almost a Western version of traditional Korean dress (hanbok).

[asterismos]

Based on that narration of the English court writing, you'd be a great audiobook reader!

[darklymoonlit]

I believe the technical term is, to borrow from Abby, "whackadoodle". When is this going to be a historical costuming trend?

[lisapruden]

Turns out, I really like these Regency Court Dresses. they're silly, but in a fun way that plays with and focuses on fabric texture, pattern and colour. Plus, it seems that the hoop placed higher to the bust would allow some forgiveness after feasting.

[Anna-tuzn]

I feel like this was such a missed opportunity. Bridgerton was very stylized in its costuming and going for a historically accurate court silhouette would have added to the feel they were going for I think

[MuseAndDionysus]

Early regency said: pretty dress... NO torso

[VBirchwood]

This is a great video Rebecca. Often when explaining to people how Bridgerton got it horribly wrong, these cupcake style court dresses are my go-to example, and wow are they strange. Transitional styles throughout dress history are always so fascinating.

[skaterbakes]

What an interesting facsimile of fashion history! It’s a little odd, but still cute...much like a cupcake 😂

[KirileeCosplay]

You and me both hun... tempted to make one because they are so... Unique!