So my friend Elizabeth and I recently attended a Persuasion-themed Jane Austen picnic sponsored by The Greater Bay Area Costumers’ Guild. It was an excuse to wear Regency, and in particular to acquire a copy of the beautiful gold Regency gown in the Kyoto Costume Institute collection.
More pics and info after the jump…
I hadn’t been to a Guild event in awhile, so it seemed like a great idea. We had a lovely picnic with old friends and new at a bayside park in San Rafael – the only thing missing was the actual Cobb from Lyme Regis, but to be honest, that thing is terrifying. I’ve walked it before, including climbing up and down the famous “Granny’s Teeth” steps, and I wouldn’t pull a Louisa Musgrove there if you paid me.
Elizabeth sewed me a copy of the gold 1800-1805-ish gold silk Regency gown (including the beret) in the Kyoto Costume Institute collection, which I wore with a muslin fichu and red silk spencer jacket (made for me previously by Elizabeth), a red silk Regency parasol from ElegantEmporiumSTL (on Etsy), jewelry by Dames a la Mode and Lady Detalle (on Etsy), a repro shawl by Burnley & Trowbridge, and a gorgeous crocheted pineapple reticule by DressingAPatriot (on Etsy). The reticule is just like the one displayed with the original ensemble in the Taschen Kyoto Costume Institute Collection book.
Oh and the shoes, which I don’t think you can see, are “Hartfield” Regency boots in brown, by American Duchess.
To make the gown, Elizabeth adapted a Black Snail Regency gown pattern I chose (the one with round gown construction that looks a lot like the Kyoto original). The gown fabric is a silk taffeta in “Imperial Yellow” from Renaissance Fabrics.