Living History Personas
1810 Gentleman & Lady
GENTLEMAN GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The top hat was an adaptation of the earlier postilian hat that was very popular in France.
The first of these hats caused a considerable stir on the streets of London during the 1790s.
On at least one occasion, a riot broke out because of the new fashion. They were the standard fashion by 1810 for most throughout much of Great Britain and North America.
Although the top hat caused quite the stir, the coat was the central focus of this outfit.
Over the past several decades, the outer coat had gone through an evolution of sorts, during which the coat’s front had opened revealing the breeches or trousers beneath.
By the early 19th century, that opening was cut open back to the sides leaving only the tails.
Likewise, the waistcoat beneath became shorter to more closely match the front of the coat.
Men’s shirts also conformed to this new style. Higher collars and longer sleeves were the fashion.
Rather than a simple slit down the front, 19th century shirts were placketed and more buttons were added.
Finally, trousers were the popular choice of attire, however, the poor, elderly, and those attending formal affairs could still be seen wearing breeches. *
*This information is only intended to serve as a general recommendation.
If you belong to a reenacting group or work for a historic site,
we strongly recommend you check with your group first before purchasing this outfit.
HAT
Pictured Left: H-2410 Early Fur-Felt Top Hat.
Alternative: TH-917 Top Hat.
SHIRT
Pictured Right: SH-138 Early 19th-Century Empire Shirt.
Alternatives: SH-124 Cotton Workshirt.
NECKWEAR
SC-372 Men's Silk Cravat.
Alternatives: SC-369 Black Silk Cravat,
or CR-371 Cotton Cravat.
WAISTCOAT
SW-132 Early 19th-Century Waistcoat.
TROUSERS
PC-125 Fall-Front Trousers.
Alternatives: PL-125 Linen Fall-Front Trousers.
COAT
Pictured Left: TC-263 Early 19th-Century Tailcoat.
SHOES
CS-925 Men's 18th Century Buckle Shoes.
BUCKLES
CS-926 Shoe Buckles.
Alternatives: Any of our men’s shoe buckles.
LADY GENERAL DESCRIPTION
There were a number of social and fashion developments that contributed to this rather dramatic shift in women’s attire.
The Regency style was most notably distinguished by the Grecian high waist, light-weight fabric, and simplistic flowing construction.
Some experts believe this fashion trend can find its roots in children’s clothing from previous decades.
Young children (both boys and girls) in the 18th century wore simple gowns called “baby frocks.”
Beginning around 1770, older girls began to wear this style of dress as well, until nearly every teenage girl was wearing them in the 1780s.
In addition, Marie Antoinette was known to retreat to the countryside with her entourage,
forsaking the stifling rococo gowns for these breezy alternatives as they role played out-of-character personas such as milk maidens.
This childish behavior, however, likely did little to affect the fashion world in comparison to the profound impact made after the French Revolution by Josèphine de Beauharnais, first wife of Napolèon, and Empress to the French people. *
*This information is only intended to serve as a general recommendation.
If you belong to a reenacting group or work for a historic site,
we strongly recommend you check with your group first before purchasing this outfit.
GOWN
Pictured Left: ED-189 19th-Century Empire Dress.
Made with a fully lined bodice. The knee-length liner in the skirt makes the chemise undergarment, often worn during this period, unnecessary.
Alternative: FD-189 Printed 19th-Century Empire Dress.
STOCKINGS
Pictured Right: SP-754 Cotton Stockings.
Alternative: Most of the stockings we offer.
You may also wish to use LG-307 Ladies’ Garters to keep your stockings in place.
SHOES
LS-920 Ladies’ Shoes.
Alternatives: Simple low-healed slip-on shoes are a tasteful alternative.