How to Show Your Ankles | Regency Romance Tips for 19th Century Flirting

[@PaleMagnolia]

"Girls, I've replaced that shaky step in the garden" "Dad! Do you want us to end up old spinsters?!"

[@EllieDashwood]

How could that dad! He’s clearly plotting against them! 😂😂😂

[@evybethm5538]

Lol 😆

[@Roseliptillgirl]

I'm guessing this was part of the appeal of dancing reels as well. They'd be like 'Step, 2, 3, 4, ANKLE ANKLE ANKLE ANKLE' 😂

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@ElizabethJones-pv3sj]

The gentleman she's dancing with would probably be too busy doing his own steps to notice her ankles plus the promise of physical contact on the hand and sometimes even the shoulder or the small of the back (as waltzing was still a very scandalous new invention in Jane's lifetime not really something a respectable ball would include)

[@dsr8223]

So... when Emma pretended to break her boot lace while walking with Harriet and Mr. Elton, he might have thought that was just Emma's trying to give him a glimpse of her ankle.

[@tessat338]

Exactly. This give some idea of why his pride was so hurt when Emma rejected him. He was interpreting her actions to be an encouragement to his affections. She was interpreting his actions to be a symptom of his interest in Harriet. They were totally at cross purposes. From his perspective, she led him on, toyed with him and then cruelly rejected him. He gave her no benefit of the doubt nor admitted the possibility that he might have misinterpreted her intentions. He sees malice instead of misunderstanding. He really was a self-satisfied toad!

[@lenamaria9450]

Oh was commenting the same! Now I see your comment. Realizing that made Mr Elton’s behavior so much more understandable 🤯

[@nikoletterdei3400]

I was thinking the same thing!!

[@kenna163]

That makes so much more sense

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

OMG! I never thought of that! Genius! It makes so much sense.

[@brooke3312]

It’s just hilarious how you are re-enacting a regency era walk in the middle of a desert 🐪 🌵 lol 😆 Jane Austen meets the wilds west. Nice video!

[@CaptainSw4g]

As a mere typical man who is profoundly fascinated by sports and beer, I've just come across this video and have decided that this is my new favourite channel.

[@twinklestarvalerie]

I cracked up the whole time, in the best ways possible. 😂 I went to school for theater, and let me tell you, I’ll never forget the moment we learned that the male calf in tights and bowing back in the day was a “mine’s bigger than yours” situation… 😮

[@EllieDashwood]

Why do humans never change 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[@twinklestarvalerie]

@@EllieDashwood 😂

[@suonatar1]

That's so adorable! 😄

[@YT4Me57]

This was not only a thing in the Regency Era. I remember my grandmother telling me that when she married my grandfather before the First World War (he was a tailor), he shortened her skirts so that he could see her ankles. Then, my dad declared that he was attracted to my mom in the early 1950s when he saw her ankles as the wind blew around her skirts. He remained a "leg man" his entire life, LOL! (like father, like son I guess).

[@EllieDashwood]

That’s so amazing how recently ankles became uncovered! Just within a few generations of ours! 😮

[@sweetsandcharades8383]

I do hope your grandmother was fine with him shortening her skirts…

[@dorothywillis1]

Where were they living? I was 12 years old in 1955 and I remember how long the dresses were and they certainly showed the ankles then.

[@VladRadu-tq1pg]

@@dorothywillis1quite amazing to me as someone born in 95 that this was a thing in freacking 1955

[@izzy1221]

I couldn’t stop giggling throughout this video. I feel absolutely devious after being blessed with this knowledge. My ankles have so much power!

[@EllieDashwood]

Nothing can stop your ankles now!!! 😃😂😂

[@douginorlando6260]

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of an ankle. And life is more exciting for everyone with an occasional flirtatious ankle

[@doublequilI]

After you put this out, I realized that Wickham was doing a great deal of ankle watching in Pride and Prejudice 95. They did some clever, quick glances while Wickham is glancing at Lydia, including when she's on the swing. Cleverly intentional... definitely my favorite rendition even if they did throw in that swimming scene (okay, fine, everyone forgave them for that after the wet shirt scene.)

[@amybee40]

Now I know what movie I'm watching tonight.

[@jonitouschner6040]

@@amybee40 ha ha!

[@Amy-ky5wr]

I can just imagine real young ladies from 200 years ago subscribed to your videos picking up your tips.

[@cecilnewson8876]

I recently found a newspaper cartoon from the 1960's in which an older man was telling a younger man how they just don't understand the beauty of a well-turned ankle.

[@lenamaria9450]

Wait a minute. Emma untied her shoe so that Harriet gets to see Mr Elton’s house. Could that be one of the actions that made Mr Elton believe she was in love with him too? 😳

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Adorable. As a man, I believe I would be expected to have a "well turned out calf" according to the Hornblower series where I remember the other young officers preparing Hornblower for a social event by "enhancing" his calves with cloth or paper under his stockings. I once had a job that required me to walk 5 to 8 miles a shift. I had very good calves at the time, but, alas, they were hidden by trousers and not one woman swooned for me.

[@PaleMagnolia]

You should have devised a way to "unintentionally" show your calf. I guess it could prove to be a bit more difficult than showing an ankle under a skirt but hey, all is fair in love and war.

[@leoscheibelhut940]

@@PaleMagnolia You are right. I missed my great chance.

[@captainjaneway80]

I’ve noticed that walking mail men usually have nice calves.

[@leoscheibelhut940]

@@captainjaneway80 Yes they often do. My walking maillady's are very nice.

[@teresaharris5036]

It’s interesting how an ankle showing is so enticing then, but bosoms showing weren’t considered as shocking, or so it seems. I would love to see a video on that in the near future. My daughter and I really enjoy all your videos! We are kindred spirits!

[@cocasal001]

Men like more what they cannot see. Imagination is a powerful tool.

[@annakaro9081]

😂😂😂 That's so adorable! I like the carriage and the swing, because on the swing the ankle is moving, so the dashing gentleman has to chase it with his gaze, thus adding to the excitement, while on the carriage, not only he gets some ankle, but it's also a great excuse to grip his hand a little tighter as he is helping you down, thus creating an illusion of a "delicate lady in need of his reliable hand to guide her".

[@PokhrajRoy.]

So, basically, foot fetish has its origin in not seeing feet and ankles in its uncovered form. 😂

[@carolinadamiani9988]

Yeah!! 😂😂 and it was a world wide fetish apparently... There's this book in Brazil, from 1870, called "the gazelle's paw", and it's literally about a man who falls in love with a foot 🤣🤣 Well, he falls for the girl, but only because he saw her foot first, and only later he sees her face hahahahaha

[@ExploreWinnipeg]

Me: *trying to think christian thoughts KZbin: "wanna see a video about Victorian Era ankle flirting?"

[@gwillis01]

This video reminds me of an old Cole Porter song "Anything Goes" "In olden days a glimpse of stocking was considered shocking. Now anything goes".

[@allykaman9340]

I love this. It's refreshing to see such a light, cheeky tone to discuss manners of ages past. It's almost like a regency era teen magazine style. Really reminds me that people back then weren't all that different from us. Informative, entertaining, and surprisingly relatable!

[@nela7542]

This makes me look at willoughby checking Mariannes ankle differently!

[@dorothywillis1]

If you read the book you will see that there is no mention of him coming near her ankle! All of those scenes were added by the screenwriters, who obviously knew the allure of the ankle! In the book "she was scarcely able to stand. The gentleman offered his services; and perceiving that her modesty declined what her situation rendered necessary, took her up in his arms without farther delay, and carried her down the hill. Then passing through the garden, the gate of which had been left open by Margaret, he bore her directly into the house, whither Margaret was just arrived, and quitted not his hold till he had seated her in a chair in the parlour." He then leaves.

[@MysticaFaery]

It is good that you are here to guide our reputations from acts of odious indelicacy and guard us from the terrors of clandestine correspondence. 😇😍

[@renskedunnewold1995]

That landscape clashes so much with the vibe of your channel, I love it 😂

[@korab.23]

Thanks for this! I needed a healthy dose of "odious indelicacy" today!😵😅🤣 1:32 "thereby... showing some ankle😏" This is the best thing on KZbin today!🤣🤣🤣

[@FireRose.77]

Thank you Ellie!! I had not thought of it... Currently writing a P&P Fic... Soooo.... Muah-ha-ha!! Evil ideas... Let's have Lizzie give Darcy a real unknowing show of ankle... She can be SOOO clueless... Very Emma-like... That way there's some competition in Darcy's eyes between them and the fine pair of eyes... **wink wink** 😁😊☺

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂

[@decaserif2340]

Sis drop the link nOW

[@FireRose.77]

@@decaserif2340 wha....??? Drop what now? I don't get it...

[@FireRose.77]

@@EllieDashwood BTW... I ❤ed that U ❤ed my comment and wrote back.

[@jonythemoony]

Love how you are so classy that you are walking through the desert without breaking a sweat 🙂 And you should wear long gloves on your videos more, they compliment your dress perfectly

[@heatherhuang6404]

This makes me want to watch for ankle exposure in the new Sanditon season.

[@My_Royal_Life]

I love how fun and informative you are! It’s so very helpful. Now if only I knew of a similar channel for Japanese customs during the same era as Victorian England, I’d be set with my current fanfic plans. Lol. Thank you!!!

[@amybee40]

Google it. There must be one out there! Maybe in Japanese though...

[@jacquelinekilkelly2076]

This is the only content that matters.

[@pgooddmd]

Now I see why Mr Willoughby checking Marianne's sprained ankle was a big deal. Oolala! Asking permission before touching her ankle, telling her family immediately what he had done. I've always been in health professions so it all seems so foreign to me. I suppose there really weren't many lady physicians back then either. What a scandalous thought. (I must be reading too much Outlander.) 😏😂 Have a lovely day, everyone.

[@ameliabrown3987]

I totally know where those outdoor clip was shot 🤭 I was just there Also wow, I’m here very quick 😂

[@EllieDashwood]

It’s such a pretty area!!! 😃 And you are here so early! 😃✨🎉

[@a35362]

I don't know where you shot this but it's gorgeous!

[@pamtippett1589]

I remember my grandfather talking about he and his buddies hanging out at a corner in the 1890’s to get a glimpse of ladies’ ankles as they stepped out of a carriage.

[@chrisd725]

This is hilarious, you really made me see ankles in a whole new light. Brilliant. Apart from Emma, I don't think we see this a lot in Jane Austen though. Maybe when Lizzy turned up at Netherfield with her petticoat covered in mud and her let down skirt not hiding it enough? Maybe that was why Bingley didn't see the mud.

[@ElizabethJones-pv3sj]

That careful balance that you must keep to avoid showing ankle unnecessarily but also not looking like you just walked 3 miles and your hem is dirty. The idea of hiking up the dress and letting the (probably sturdier and definitely less important) petticoat get dirty instead is actually a really good idea to try to keep that balance.

[@stevendaly110]

Thank you, Miss Dashwood! As other comments below already testify, this video helps me to understand some of the otherwise obscure nuances in various scenes in various pieces of older English literature. As a matter of elementary psychology, however, it might be helpful to point out that any part of the female form that is routinely covered takes on a special mystique and erotic appeal. In many countries in the world today, women cover their heads (hair) everywhere in private and in public except (in the bedroom). In such cultures, it is assumed that men will completely lose control of themselves if they catch sight of a woman's full head of hair which, obviously, gives off powerful, seductive rays. In other cultures, a lady's bosom need not be covered in public, and in those cultures, the sight of a female breast is not considered to be especially erotic. In so far as overly-sexualising the female breast may impact the social acceptability of breast-feeding infants in public, and therefore have a health-impact on society in general, we ought to carefully consider such things.

[@dorothywillis1]

Only a few years later -- "Mr. Pickwick was joking with the young ladies who wouldn’t come over the stile while he looked-or who, having pretty feet and unexceptionable ankles, preferred standing on the top rail for five minutes or so, declaring that they were too frightened to move-with as much ease and absence of reserve or constraint, as if he had known them for life. It is worthy of remark, too, that Mr. Snodgrass offered Emily far more assistance than the absolute terrors of the stile (although it was full three feet high, and had only a couple of stepping-stones) would seem to require; while one black-eyed young lady in a very nice little pair of boots with fur round the top, was observed to scream very loudly, when Mr. Winkle offered to help her over."

[@tessat338]

I love the views of the desert South West. My husband and I had a trip out from the East Coast to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona several years ago and really enjoyed seeing the area.

[@carolinadamiani9988]

And I thought this was a family friendly chanel... 😱🤣🤣🤣

[@dorothywillis1]

In regard to skirt length. Don’t forget that every woman wanted to be fashionable. It seems obvious to us that a shorter skirt would be a practical option when doing certain kinds of work, but people do not always do what is practical. My grandparents were born in 1883 and they died when I was 15 years old, so I knew them well. I had seen plenty of movies and TV shows about the “olden days” in which the heroine, after a few scenes in a long skirt, changed into trousers for the rest of the program. I knew that was nonsense. But I had also seen photographs taken about 1900 of women in skirts that were several inches off the ground, meant for activities such as skating, walking long distances, playing tennis, that sort of thing. I forget how the conversation got around to clothing, but one day I asked my grandfather if women actually wore such skirts. I was surprised by his reaction. I had obviously found a topic he felt strongly about. As I remember his reply it was, “No, they didn’t! No matter how hot it was or how dirty or how much easier it would be they WOULD wear those damn skirts right down to the ground and dragging in the dust!” So now you have heard from a man who was there.

[@annavafeiadou4420]

And now I remember a comic from my childhood with Donald Duck in wild west dressed as a saloon dancer instead of Daisy cause he was jealous of her showing her ankles and was filling the spot and the audience shouting we want to see some ankle and he showed his ankle and everyone cheered and I was it is written like this to make us laugh and now decades later I am astonished to learn that yes it was written to make us laugh but was true in it's basic concept which was ankle showing ..... This was one of the most eye opening videos I have watched on you tube THANK YOU thank you and thank you !!!!!

[@Elizabeth-qe4jy]

Oh my gosh! So insightful 🤣! Thank you for the great videos, you always make me smile!

[@EllieDashwood]

Aw! Yay!!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😃😂😃

[@vivibee3943]

I'm sure Lydia was an expert with all 4 techniques!

[@princekrazie]

I think the gentleman would experience an uncontrollable pleasurable paroxysm if he attended a performance of ballet!🤣🤣🤣

[@SageKayDee]

That actually explains why ballet dancers were not seen in a good light. It wasn’t just the fact that they performed, but what they performed in!

[@annejeppesen160]

Actually ballet dancer's skirts were long, at least in the Danish ballet tradition. Female dancers would look at their feet to indicate where they were/how they danced. The Danish ballet tradition continues to have this "feature" to this day.

[@SageKayDee]

@@annejeppesen160 Even if their skirts were long, once they kicked their legs up in the air, what do you think happened to their ankles? They were exposed constantly.

[@annejeppesen160]

@@SageKayDee the skirts were "closed" at the bottom. Must have been a nightmare to dance in and not trip

[@SageKayDee]

@@annejeppesen160 Sounds like what they wear in some Chinese performances.

[@rosequartz4102]

This video helped me realize that I have, if you'll excuse the modern colloquialism, hella sexy ankles! Cool video!

[@DM-lc2cf]

Love how the background is the desert. If filmed where I live, the background would be saguaros....LOL you are tall, too, trying to find dresses that are long enough. I had a regency dress made, and had to get "extra length" for it.

[@Mai2727]

I'd go for the swing. It's the most fun method, I think. Play and flirt all in one.

[@amybee40]

And a good cardio workout to boot!

[@kathykorb9982]

I needed a smile on this March Monday morning and this was just the thing!! Thank you!

[@kirstena4001]

Descending the carriage would be my pick. Still a great way to give a glimpse of leg now when getting out of a car in a skirt of dress :). Although you do have to be careful not to flash too much!!!

[@gilmariebrioso1554]

Omg, I love this! Please tell me more about regency flirting. Also, I fucking love swings… I’m a natural flirt! Lmaoo

[@rosemarielee7775]

Go easy on the swings! Remember No Drawers!

[@RJTAYLER]

When a glimpse of someone's stocking was shocking. good times indeed. I shudder to think what those regency types would think of their Edwardian great-granddaughters, let alone what they would think of those great-granddaughters own great-granddaughters of today's era.

[@EllieDashwood]

That’s such a good point! I wonder about that too!

[@micaelasparrow650]

They'd think we were all running around naked, with our shorts and t shirts/tank tops

[@cvde95]

Also Harriet Smith's classic "oh no I've fallen and hurt my ankle" move!

[@yoclark2723]

Love those red rocks of the southwest! (Utah?) It's one of my favorite places to vacation. My favorite accidental ankle peek would be alighting from the fancy carriage I own because I'm a Lord's daughter.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

In my case, all ‘accidents’ would work but I need a cute guy to look at me also 😂

[@kimmatura3564]

Your background looks like Northern Arizona or New Mexico, possibly Red Rocks in Colorado.

[@DavidBrowningBYD]

The phrase "23 skidoo!" comes from the way the wind swept around the Flatiron Building on 23rd & Broadway in NYC--gentlemen used to hang around in hopes of seeing ladies' ankles!

[@mercedesgarcia6977]

What a fun video, love it!

[@cemace90]

Wow the regency style dress much have been so warm!

[@suonatar1]

You showed half of your calf, you naughty girl! 😉🤣

[@barbsvangilder8141]

Hey! I live in the town where you shot the desert clips! Love your content. 💕

[@jennieeveleighlamond]

Somehow (probably from reading too much) the idea that ankles and feet should be small, pretty and delicate seeped into my childhood brain and caused me constant distress because I always had large feet with sturdy ankles attached to them. While perfectly serviceable, they are far from the petite, genteel appendages attributed to my favourite heroines and made me feel tremendously frumpy.

[@amybee40]

I feel you, sister. I have big wrists too. They don't make women's watches that fit mine.

[@savannahwilson133]

This would be a good series.

[@alkittie8]

Great video. This was a fun one!

[@oda_margrethe]

I keep thinking about this video! ☺️

[@KajaKamisama]

Thanks for another great video ♥

[@carola-lifeinparis]

Another brilliant video, I had no idea

[@jacintabyline]

Hi Ellie from New Zealand. I have just discovered your channel (and subbed). I am a HUGE fan of the Georgian/Regency period so I'm so excited to go through your wealth of videos - especially as P&P has to be my favorite novel of all time lol! As for 'showing the ankle' - I believe that it was seen as a sexy 'turn on' for the men of the era, in much the same way that the 'decolletage' was, and also the way some of the more daring young women (Lady Caroline Lamb et al) 'damped' down their muslin dresses so that they clung to their bodies. Georgette Heyer never fails to mention ankles in her novels, usually having her heroes noticing the heroine's 'well turned ankle' as she steps down from her carriage etc. Do you read Georgette Heyer? I am at present (as I recover from Covid) re-reading my way through my collection. All the best and I look forward to many more of your fantastic videos.

[@MorganJ]

Does this also apply to women outside of the upper class, such as farmer's wives and maids carrying heavy burdens (such as water and coal) up and down narrow flights of stairs?

[@kerrychristensen7204]

👍

[@michaelodonnell824]

They were the ones having to clean the gentry's dirt magnets (long dresses). FWIW at least in some ages, the dresses worn by Working women were noticeably shorter than those worn by "Gentle folk" (ie those who could afford servants!)

[@dorothywillis1]

Ladies were always complaining about the female servants dressing above their station on their days off. They also were very aware of the possibility of the male members of the household falling for the charms of pretty servants. Both of these facts lead me to believe skirt lengths for servants were the same as for their mistresses. Of course it was possible to "kilt up" a skirt when it would be in the way, but that was just temporary.

[@ElizabethJones-pv3sj]

It depends on how much below the upper class we're talking, the closer you get to the upper classes (including within a household the scullery maid has no reason for regular contact with the family, the housekeeper would speak to the mistress several times a day) the closer a woman was to the upper class fashions (and hem lengths) got to the upper class. e.g. a dairy maid would need to walk out into the fields to bring the cows in for milking so she would probably wear shorter hems and clogs to deal with the mud, a shopkeeper wants to look respectable and when she leaves her shop is usually going out into roads not muddy fields (unless the near way is flooded 😄). Fashions also changed over the decades in the 1790s you see trains on everything even dresses made for dancing or walking and the front hem several inches longer than the wearer, in the teens they were top of the foot and by the end of the 1820s (which is technically beyond Jane Austen's lifetime but still within the 'Regency' as defined by the Prince Regent later George IV) the fashionable hem was at or slightly above the ankle.

[@tesssmith5548]

Love it!

[@ashappyasiget140]

The many things I learn about regency era from you🤤

[@EllieDashwood]

😂😂😂

[@chizzieshark]

Bending down to tie your shoelaces may offer glimpses of things other than ankles (especially with the push-up bra look that was fashionable at the time!)

[@michaelodonnell824]

One thing that always strikes me about Regency dresses is the amount of hard work servants had to do to clean these dirt magnets!!!!

[@tarazieminek1947]

Helpful life tips!

[@aronc24]

So cheeky, I love it. hahahaha

[@natashaenglishtutoring4674]

The editing on this video feels a bit different than your other ones. I like it! Great topic. I'd go with the shoe lace so I could add a bend and snap!

[@prettypic444]

i'm so clumsy, I think pausing on stairs would literally cause me to fall and break my neck (which is really more of a victorian vibe)

[@delphinidin]

My favorite part was when you cracked yourself up on the swing lol

[@gwillis01]

Hello Ellie. The dress is pleasant and Almost almost long enough to reach your ankles Thank you for a pleasant, informative video

[@SageKayDee]

You’re the best 😆

[@EllieDashwood]

😃😂😂😂

[@catyfaurie9446]

I'd be a spinster. I have cankles 😅😭

[@barbarabenoit3667]

This is so cute!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Among the Geisha in Japan, they expose the nape of the neck because that part is considered erotic.

[@anomalily]

I agree with that! a nape of the neck 😅

[@you_already_have_it]

I mean I understand it's more then an ankle that's so close to probably dirty or at least dusty shoe and the hem of the dress from walking around on the ground. For Victorian ladies I would choose a wrist, because women's wrist are so much more delicate, soft,thin and fragile then men's are, so wrist make more sense. But🤷🏻‍♀️

[@BCKammen]

Mardi Gras in the Regency Era: "Show your ankle!" "Show your ankle!" "Show your ankle!" Sorry had to much coffee today.

[@robertmchenry5274]

I love them all.. but the carriage seems like it is the best directed one.

[@bambino100011]

Whoa, whoa…. That’s too much ankle…. 😉🤣

[@SinginginD]

Please start using VAM (visible ankle moment) in your future videos when this just so happens to occur. 😂

[@virginiajudd5043]

OMG, I have those same boots that you had to pause and tie. Do you love them as much as I???

[@lizard9375]

Can you discuss how guys showed off their calves in Regency? Or has this been done already? Love these flirty tips.😂

[@meadowsong8560]

I would definitely be showing ankle going down the steps. My knees are a little wonky so I go reeeaaal slow!

[@micaelasparrow650]

So it’s true, now that men see ankles all the time, the fascination is gone.

[@mariadelrosariorosassanche6904]

Down the stairs Is the Best opporturnnity

[@Theturtleowl]

Me: wears no socks in my sneakers to be extra sexy.

[@Lg.sidequest]

I wouldn't mind if a Willoughby type ascertained my ankle after a "fall" to check it for a sprain. 🤣🤣🤣 I hate home but movie Willoughby was fine fine fine!!!!

[@evvunja]

I wish I could see you and Karolina the meme mom having a fake beef on youtube

[@raraavis7782]

And, of course, 'swinging is very beneficial exercise' 😉

[@vicsyy332]

There is a dead vicar who is turning over his grave this very moment.

[@ZiggyWhiskerz]

Even for the olden days... It's an ankle. An ankle...

[@debbiesivertson817]

You are awesome too 💙💙💙

[@MorganJ]

1:28 I'm not sure if her ankle is what's on display here. lol

[@Youknowwhoyounopoo]

Then: Rich people showing ankle by getting out of carriages Now: Rich people showing their furry pet getting out of cars 😂😂😂

[@cataconcha5962]

Tips ideales para mostrar el tobillo XD

[@persefoniajax]

I offer up this comment as a sacrifice to our algorithm overlords.