Walking Dress – Autumn 1810

Regency Era Walking Dresses and Empire Silhouette

This exquisite September 1810 fashion plate from Ackermann’s Repository depicts two elegant women showcasing late Georgian and early Regency seaside promenade attire. The illustration emphasizes the characteristic high-waisted Empire silhouette of the era, featuring a Roman tunic buttoned down the front over a fine cambric petticoat, paired with a flowing shot-sarsnet gown in a muted chartreuse hue. These light, draped textiles reflect the neoclassical aesthetic revival that dominated British high society during the Napoleonic period, providing a stark contrast to the structured, heavy crinolines of later decades.

Seaside Promenade Fashion and Historic Eyepiece Accessory

Set against a coastal cliff landscape, this antique copperplate engraving highlights the unique outdoor styling of Regency-period daywear, complete with an installation cap in green velvet and a delicate white lace veil. A standout feature of this historic costume illustration is the inclusion of a brass handheld marine telescope, a popular contemporary accessory for coastal excursions and maritime observation. This hand-colored print serves as an essential visual archive for costume designers, historical reenactors, and curators focusing on pre-Victorian sportswear, outerwear, and accessories.