Regency Working Class Women's Clothing

Regency clothing is incredibly popular for historical costuming today, especially with Jane Austen and “Bridgerton.” But most people focus on fashionable clothing for balls and promenades. I wanted to highlight the clothing of working class women, since it is just as important to understand and appreciate as those of the wealthy elite. Even though it doesn’t garner as much attention, I honestly enjoy making working class/common people’s clothing! It really has its own appeal and beauty.
My clothing consists of a linen shift, linen stays (corset), cotton under petticoat, wool outer petticoat, cotton short gown, printed cotton kerchief, linen apron, and cotton cap. Those of you familiar with 18th century clothing may recognize some aspects of 18th century fashion still lingering in the clothing of working class people, like the scarlet wool cloak and black silk bonnet. Images of working class women from the beginning of the 19th century show a mix of old and new styles, as fashion was changing rapidly during this period.
Burnley and Trowbridge (linen fabric, linen tape, synthetic whalebone, reproduction kerchiefs): burnleyandtrow...
Pattern for my stays from Corsets by Jill Salen: www.amazon.com...
Images:
archive.org/de...
upload.wikimed...
commons.wikime...
www.britishmus...
www.britishmus...
collections.br...
www.clarkart.e...
Music from Epidemic Sound

[@ArtemisScribe]

And so important to see that working class women, *just like today* still got to have fashionable cuts and pretty fabrics and not just wear bland shapeless sacks or servants uniforms! We really do our ancestors an injustice by making a misery of their lives when we represent them.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Yes!! TV and movies especially do such a disservice to working class people by perpetuating the myth that they were all dirty, had no color, and didn't care about fashion.

[@ArtemisScribe]

@@TheCoutureCourtesan exactly! People go searching for their history and they want to be secret nobility or descendants of kings. I'm very proud to say my great-great grandfather was a tramp and I come from a long line of scullery maids and farm hands!

[@verybarebones]

We also do them injustice by being blind to their plights and covering them with a later of pretty fabrics and fashionable cuts. The french didnt revolt just because.

[@ArtemisScribe]

@@verybarebones showing that working class people cared about clothing and liked to keep their clothes nice doesn't hide anything about their difficulties and suffering. If anything it helps to engage people in working class history by reminding them that working class people are not just props in the narratives of the nobility.

[@sarahmwalsh]

Servants and working-class people were also a reflection on their household, or the business they owned or worked for. If they were slovenly or dirty or not up to date on fashions, they would lose out on business or make their employers look bad.

[@dee-annegordon5959]

I've seen plenty Regency "getting dressed" videos, but this is the first time I've seen one include pockets!

[@sisuguillam5109]

So useful!

[@megongaga1984]

For true! I've never seen it either but thought no way this one era just skipped pockets as I've seen the rest of the 19th century having pockets. So glad to see how it was done.

[@liv97497]

yes! I don't know why I'd never considered how they would've been tied. I t was kind of an "aha!" moment to see it haha

[@shironerisilk]

I loved seeing that. It makes sense working class women would keep their practical pockets even if the high fashionable silhouette demanded impractical reticules. It's no different from today with the beautiful but often impractical luxury and luxury inspired purses but we more practical women also keep favoring tote bags and backpacks.

[@sArnoldsdotter]

Love it 😍 But then I always prefer the clothing of ordinary people.

[@SarahBent]

Me too!

[@SingingSealRiana]

same, underapriciated in their practicality and history bounding friendlyness, there is just a beauty in the more simple things ^^

[@RebelMaus]

So many layers! I love being able to see what the average Regency Era woman wore.

[@kimmo4674]

Omg I’ve always hated Regency fashion because I thought they were so unflattering but I really like these!!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

That's awesome!

[@999Giustina]

Me too! I hate the usual look that seems popular with costumers, but this is now on my to make list!

[@SingingSealRiana]

I like modern stuff with the regency waistline and was atounded how appaled I was by the inspiration, now with this simpler workingclass styl I love it again ^^

[@eric3844]

Wonderful! Thank you so much for bringing light to the clothing and styles of the working people, and dispelling the myth that common people of the past spent their lives clothed in muddy rags or formless fashionless sacks.

[@historylass83]

I really like the look of the transitional stays of the 1790s, they look comfortable and practical.

[@LatelyFashionable]

So informative! I didn't know that pockets were still worn, but it makes sense because if you're working you don't really have a free hand to carry a reticule, do you? I like how you showed the ties going under the petticoat straps to keep it up at the underbust. Also, the short gown is such a cute and underrated style!

[@999Giustina]

The short gown is adorable!

[@margarettaborodach5018]

I don't know how to say this nicely, but I have loathed the Regency style for years. YEARS. This style? I ADORE IT. Obviously, I just needed you to come along and introduce the working class attire. Thank you!!

[@tornamiadirr]

I really love the Victorian Farm/Edwardian Farm series but would love to know more about the practicalities of women's clothing in those (physical work) contexts - especially since you talk about what lower class women wore in common with upper class women. That was very interesting because it shows that we've all really just wanted to be comfortable and stylish at the same time!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

I love those shows too! I want to be Ruth Goodman when I grow up lol

[@tornamiadirr]

@@TheCoutureCourtesan haha same!

[@acecat2798]

Seconded, but I'd also be interested in the divide between rural and urban fashions, because it seems that European peasants tended to have distinct styles from city dwellers, including urban poor. I think this might've been exaggerated somewhat during the rise of nationalism, codifying the bunad, dirndl, what-have-you as 'national dress' because the differences between peasant wear seemed to be starker than between the urban styles between, say, German, Polish and French people. Help draw the eye to a somewhat-imaginary preindustrial past and exert power (whether that was asserting identity in resistance to inter-European colonialism, like Norway, Poland, Wales, the Basques, or in building up a cohesive imperial identity, like with Germany, France, Italy and Russia)

[@kirabrzeczyszczykiewicz2456]

I'd love to see working class clothing for the 1880s, especially in America -- I've had a fair amount of trouble finding resources for it!

[@lady_sir_knight3713]

Prior Attire's Dressing a Maid (1880s) video is good, especially the part at the end that shows a dress for off-duty.

[@kirabrzeczyszczykiewicz2456]

@@lady_sir_knight3713 Thank you!

[@AdelaideBeemanWhite]

This is wonderful! I’ve always been very partial to the mid to late 17th century for working class clothing. I would love to see a video about that.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Noted! I've been wanting to do late 17th century for a while, but making a new pair of fully boned stays for it has kept me from diving right in lol.

[@AdelaideBeemanWhite]

@@TheCoutureCourtesan - it’s always the stays. That’s one of the major things that keeps me from branching out into other areas as well.

[@biguattipoptropica]

I would wear this for cleaning or lounging now. It's so pretty.

[@sweetlorikeet]

I feel like the Regency and Tudor eras are two where the clothing of the working class is particularly ignored by modern representation. It's extremely good to see this examination of an often-overlooked section of fashion history.

[@taniar2739]

I would love a show based on working people during Regency Period.

[@Lilyannaluv]

I really really love seeing working class clothing, or what a large portion of the population would be wearing ❤ absolutely fascinating

[@rcamels3042]

Wonderful! I just saw your Instagram post, and was hoping you’d do a video on this. It’s so refreshing to see the affordable yet stylish fittings that most people owned. As nice as the frilly silk gowns with yards of lace are, it is pleasing to see something my ancestors actually would have worn!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Mine too!

[@chelseal654]

So good! I love ordinary people’s clothing. Pride and Prejudice was always my favorite Austen novel, and none of the Bennet sisters were more than middle class until after their marriage. So it’s nice to see more everyday styles

[@mastersnet18]

I think they were more gentry class, just lower gentry.

[@weeblife8657]

I want to get back into reenacting, and my interests lie more in what the upper classes would wear, but this is just as important. Anybody can be into fashion and looking nice, no matter their status and how much money they have. And the working class were no exception. And they don't get as much attention compared to those that would have a large amount of decorations on their clothing or the more expensive stuff. Like this is what most people would have worn and I love learning about the average daily lives people used to live.

[@caraamor]

Really appreciate this "working woman" series!!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you! There will be more soon!

The pocket placement trick is brilliant, I love that!

[@GraciePattenSewing]

I love this! I've worn my pocket at my high waist in regency clothing before when a reticule wasn't an option, but I never knew that was a "real" thing. Thanks for sharing!

[@MiljaHahto]

You were just clever and arrived at the same solution as women of the time!

[@l.m.2404]

Long sleeves! You would almost think that all these women were vampires that only come out at night in all their short sleeved gowns. Excellent video, thank you.

[@loonylinda]

getting a tan was definately a no no!

[@EspeonMistress00]

Short sleeves were only for balls and evening wear. Upper classnwomen covered up a lot too while going out in their morning or travelling clothes and even at home the casual dress they wore had full sleeves iirc. Also night gowns always full sleeved

[@saraquill]

I recently ordered regency short stays for mundane wear (bust support ftw) and am entertaining the idea of making some period attire to go with. Thanks for giving me ideas.

[@erdbeermilch2083]

So lovely! I wished there was more appreciation for working class dress in general.

[@macseamus1993]

Working class of late 1820s to mid 1830s please! Most only do either middle class or fashionable impressions when that period is portrayed. This was an awesome video btw.

[@eiszapfenkobold]

Love working class clothes wearable in modern daily life too.

[@DezMarivette]

Ok I am weeping emotionally with the time and dedication you put into your pieces. This was amazing, I actually gave a "wow" when you tied closed the gown at the end. Tremendous job!!

[@lenayasutake6824]

Love this video. So informative and fun to watch. Love your Pomona green ribbon! Keep up the fantastic work.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you!

[@midnightblack07]

I loved this! As much as I enjoy the glamor of the upper classes, I wish there was more content on the working class women in this period (and all others).

[@AnotherJenn42]

Thank you for posting this video! I’m writing a story set in the Regency Era and most videos focus on the nobility. My heroine works in a kitchen, so her clothing needs are very different. This was a fantastic resource.

[@paigemyers4762]

Thanks Samantha Jean! I had never seen the pocket placement and it makes so much sense. Lovely fabrics too.

[@FebbieG]

I'd love to see 1830s working class women's clothing (especially American south/Mexican north)

[@serenacolavincenzo6989]

So interesting to see how working class used to dress, starting from the underwear. Also very curated aesthetic. I still wonder how they dealt with the rain though, shoes wise.

[@MissMagic]

So good to see someone talking about working women's clothing, thank you 👍

[@margaretvallas3719]

1830s please!!! Great video! I love seeing working/middle class impressions.

[@baylorsailor]

I love regency dresses. They look far more comfortable than anything before or after.

[@thehadster7043]

I look forward to seeing your finished painted silk garment!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

It's still on my (long term) to-do list!

[@carolyng5235]

Thank you so much for this wonderful look at working women's attire! In historical costuming I prefer creating these styles, but it is difficult to find adequate examples. I would love to see these from mid-late 18th century as well!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

I can definitely do that!

[@pandahead2241]

I love this time period the most, probably for the clothing itself. I think I would probably end up as a working woman, so I loved watching all the different styles of clothing. Have a nice day/night!

[@Hope-un5wv]

I have been looking for something like this for ages.

[@rosaelenarivera2765]

Excellent! Although ball attire is fabulous; working class attire is more realistic, thank you for such a lovely video

[@nancyanderson1716]

This was fantastic! I loved it!!! I’m a commoner who still likes to be fashionable. Thank you!!!!

[@LadyRebeccaFashions]

This was great! Is there any sort of reason someone would choose the short-gown vs. a gown? Also, I would love to hear the history of how the red cloak became so widespread.

[@verybarebones]

Cheaper to make, easier to clean

[@gluurbburger]

I love these videos, they are informative and fun.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

I'm so glad you enjoy them!

[@999Giustina]

Another masterpiece! You have such a wonderful way of explaining the details. Outstanding construction! Bravo!

[@susanmoir9015]

it would take me hours to get dressed , saying that i love your program .

[@sleepysartorialist]

It's nice to see this class of people's. clothing given attention.

[@MonaSkovJensen]

I'm so glad that I found this video. Just like you said Working class garments needs to be highlighted. Thank you!

[@emmamartin6719]

This is absolutely fascinating. I never looked into the high-waisted gowns of the regency, and thus the undergarments and their construction are so new to me. Thank you for the wonderful video!

[@counter10r]

I didn't realize the short gown continued into the Regency/Federal period. I made a similar one for a working-class mid-18th century costume (Colonial madrigal dinner set in Williamsburg).

[@jokiskywalker5417]

Thank you for this video, it is really wonderful and informative! I also love the part about the pocket, and how it is held up- I had heard about surviving gowns with pocket slits, but until now, not having worn regency era clothing myself and being unfamiliar with the petticoat straps, I had assumed the pockets would be tied around the smallest part of the waist! I expect it's probably still the case that one wouldn't wear a pocket with a very slinky, sheer gown, and of course one could not fit a whole duck in regency era pockets the way they might with the pocket hoops of the previous century ;) I have also seen a watercolour painting of a greengrocer in the English regency wearing two aprons (white, with a coloured on top) and a sort of pocket-apron on top to hold money and other tools. (James Pollard, The Greengrocer, c.1819). I found a similar pocket shown in 'Occupational Costume in England from the 11th Century to 1914' Where it is called a 'double pocket' and worn by a market woman c.1750

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Perhaps early middle ages, late 9th century, or so, Norse? Especially with notes about authentic apron/overdress fastenings. If the underdress really is very similar, you could do a comparison of British,Norse & German or French overdresses.

[@ladythalia227]

Agreed. There’s a video here of what the women wore in the Viking era, m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooq4Y2yPe910abs but I would LOVE to see the actual dress on a living, breathing woman!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

@@ladythalia227 Thank you

[@svetlanakholmetskaya6282]

I've literally just seen these stays on your instagram and wondered if you'd show them in a video! I was going to recreate this particular model for my next sewing project but found the pattern a bit confusing and decided to choose something else. But then I saw your post and now this video, so you gave me some help visualising the finishied result. Thank you very much! I think I'm gonna make these in the end, just make a few alterations to the pattern.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Let me know if I can answer any specific questions about them when you decide to try them!

[@TheGardenKitten]

I actually find these more humble clothes, more attractive

[@gabrielasoriano1629]

Amazing! Would love to see late 16th to early 17th century. There´s a 400 years celebration coming up of the city I live in and I would love to make a period costume for the celebration.

[@sisuguillam5109]

Lovely! As always! Closing the dress with drawstrings at the front make so much sense!

[@synteis]

Really looks comfortable and lovely and I adore the pattern mixtures you used!

[@AlbinoMonkeyC]

I've been following your blog for years and when I found out you started a youtube channel, I just about swooned with happiness.

[@kjtherrick4031]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@laurar.4484]

Your eye for color and pattern is wonderful!

[@paulcarlachapman628]

I love these videos of clothing on the working class! The clothes are simple, practical, yet elegant. Thank you!

[@emilypadron9664]

I love this! Can’t wait to watch more of your videos!

[@psyche100]

Lovely! I always like seeing what ordinary people wore.

[@sabrinaqualley5743]

I love this! Pretty and so much more approachable for someone like me who is just starting to get interested in historical costuming. I would much rather make an outfit like this than a fancy ball gown. Would love to see you do videos for making each garment.

[@bettystimetravels6372]

I love these videos! I would love to see a video on the working class women in the late 1800s!

[@SusanLH]

The shortgown was so simple and I love the idea of a breast feeding mother who might have found it easier with the shorter gown compared with full length gowns. Much easier to keep clean and wash. There should be more focus on working class clothing, including the pocket. Another necessity of the day. Thank you.

[@EspeonMistress00]

Upper and middle class had front opening gowns and maternity stays. Of course the can afford money and time to make or buy multiple stays to their measurements for different purposes

[@JLWell76]

This is fantastic! I love the working class look throughout history. Thank you for sharing!!

[@bridgetisadreamer]

I am mostly interested in working class clothing, so thank you very much for this :3

[@jerahyassine3192]

I love the printed cotton dress!

[@BurnleyandTrowbridge]

Thanks for the shout out!❤️

[@daisanders82]

I have a Regency picnic coming up (Miss Rona permitting) and was thinking of making these transitional stays. Tho I'm going to have to size it up from what's given in the book. This has inspired me to do something more "working class" to wear (since that's kinda what I prefer to wear historical clothing wise anyway).

[@lilrummager]

Thank you for sharing the working class perspective through clothing. Awesome video, as always!!

[@TheSamistarkey]

You forgot your pattens! 😁 Love these videos - thanks for sharing your hard work.

[@DezMarivette]

Awwww yissss this is the research I love having delivered! I haven't even seen the full video yet, too excited that it's here!

[@shirley1413]

This is interesting,,,my gosh a lot of layers and laundry!!! 🐓🌻🦃

[@isabelperry4097]

This is so cool! I really love that you're showing wearable clothing, and it looks flattering and fashionable at the same time. I would definitely enjoy more of these videos from you, of any time period! My only question, currently, is where did you get your shoes? They look comfy! Also, your kerchiefs are so pretty 💖

[@anniematheson2335]

Beautiful!❣ Just beautiful❣ You do such a exquisite job on the garments, the explanations and the entire ambiance of the video. I thoroughly enjoy watching them.

[@shandanaa.durrani131]

thank you for this! very helpful in my research for my HR!

[@Tbehartoo]

I loved this! Thanks for taking some time away from ball gowns to practical clothing that most people of the time would be wearing. Do you have a men's clothing video? This was fantastic! Thank you for sharing it.

[@mimickingmimimi]

Thank you for making this video! I loved seeing the inclusion of pockets! And the gown was super cute!

[@elisabetta611]

My Grandmother, who was born in the 1920ties still wore aprons like these around the house. Love to see their origin here!

[@EyeLean5280]

This may seem like a lot of layers but the Little Ice Age, while not at its most intense at that time, also wasn't entirely over yet, either. It would finally end in the second half of the 19th century.

[@IreneWY]

You should be having wayyyyy more subs. Great content.

[@Kayjayoh]

I love this! Thank you for this video.

[@jahirareyes1102]

You should really do the middle ages working class women.

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

I think she did, a sort of mustard & whitish color one. Try a you tube search? (Maybe that was someone else...)

[@jahirareyes1102]

@@catherinejustcatherine1778 Oh sorry i did not ,specify i meant the :early middle ages😁

[@AssassinofHighgarden]

This is fantastic! I love seeing these types of videos, they're always fascinating to see, especially with an average person of the day (not that fancy folk aren't fun, though!). Thanks for blessing us with these!

[@andrathiele2638]

What patterns are used for the short gown and the brown dress, and where could I get them? They are quite close to what I was thinking for making a modern top/tunic for myself as most modern styles, to fit my bust, are baggy in the armscye, are too wide in the shoulder and have too much material in the back.

[@thealucas7247]

Hello! Just discovered your channel and I love it! I like how you show multiple different gowns for different purposes instead of a generic catch all garment to apply to the working class. Look forward to seeing more in the future!

[@FebbieG]

Thank you! I've been wondering about working women's clothing for basically every era. What resources did you use to learn about these things? Books? Articles?

[@therese1806]

you know, Poldark actually does a pretty good job at portraying working class clothing (At least in the later seasons, as the show starts in the 18th century), though not completely historically accurate🙃

[@beagleissleeping5359]

The bonus features on the DVD say the creators deliberately dressed the Cornwall poor in the wrong clothing to show they couldn't afford current fashion or something like that. But people like me who aren't in the know didn't realize it. Lol

[@Whittacrek]

Thank you for a well-done and insightful video!

[@merari2307]

Hey, I always see your posts about the dresses that you made on Facebook. I never knew that you have a KZbin channel. I have subscribed!

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank you!

[@lemonetdailo8391]

I love the pockets!

[@22mononoke]

These clothes are beautiful! Especially that brown gown at the end and the way it closes. I would love to watch a video on how you drafted that or if a pattern was used?

[@wthinwthout2786]

I've never thought about working class transitional wear in this era until now. 😮😮😮

[@IDoDeclareify]

I love this style!

[@LostInThought4ever]

They still had the tie on pockets?! Why does this information make me so happy? Lol I wouldn’t imagine they were worn under the long gown though, right? It couldn’t be easy to get to in that.

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Although I didn't do it in this gown, there are some surviving gowns from this period that have a pocket slit purposefully put into the side of the skirt to access a pocket!

[@helenaalicia6987]

Thank you for this! I just started volunteering at Historic Pensacola. The time period in the village they are portraying is 1805. At this time it is under Spanish Colonial rule after having been French and English. It was also a port town. A mix of people with influences from all over must have not adhered to the more common styles in the former English colonies. I am finding it hard to get more accuracy on what regular women wore. What you have portrayed here is a big help as I begin to sew my own costume. I like period correct sewing (for the visible stitches ) I would love to see what Spanish colonial in America would have looked like. Could you cover that?

[@FebbieG]

I would *love* to know more about children's clothing too.

[@ecwhittemore]

LOVE your videos! Thanks SO much (and keep 'em coming!)

[@TheCoutureCourtesan]

Thank YOU! I'm glad you like them!