Walking and Dinner Dresses – Autumn 1822

Regency style high-waisted women garments

This historical fashion plate from September 1822 illustrates two distinct seasonal outfits showcasing the iconic empire waist silhouette. On the left, a lady stands in profile wearing a cornflower blue day dress decorated with delicate embroidery along the hem and collar, paired with a patterned fabric bonnet. The right figure offers a rare back view of a sage green dinner gown, emphasizing the transitioning waistlines of the late Georgian period.

Late Georgian period needlework and garment construction

The colored print documents the evolving ornamental trends of the 1820s, featuring structured ruffles across the shoulders and elaborate padded trim with floral motifs at the base of the skirt. With sophisticated hair up-dos adorned by white ostrich feathers and a small reticule purse accessory, this plate serves as an important archive for Regency costume designers and historical research.

Credit: The Claremont Colleges