Regency Walking Outerwear

Made for wearing at the Jane Austen Festival in Bath, UK, this Regency style walking outerwear collection is comprised of a sleeved Spencer style jacket, covered matching bonnet and reticule. The dress worn underneath is a gauze dress which is showcased on the Little White Regency Dress project page.

The Spencer is not made from any single pattern but was created by deconstructing an embroidered formal blazer and then reconstructing in a cropped, fitted shape that includes the period's iconic diamond-back structure. A couple pieces from various dress and Spencer patterns were used to help inform the overall shape but it was largely pieced together on a form and then adjusted for fit. The Spencer and reticule are entirely machine sewn except for decoration and closures. The bonnet is entirely hand sewn and molded. Almost all materials were thrifted.

Materials:

Spencer: embroidered jacket made of polyester, 100% cotton velvet (a thrifted event chair cover), hand-covered buttons and metal clasps. Spencer is not lined.

Bonnet: scraps of fabric from both the jacket and chair cover, a thrifted straw hat cut and sewn to shape, cotton binding, cotton blend semi sheer fabric for lining and pleating details, gimp braid, ribbon, cording, covered buttons and covered circle of cardboard and foam.

Reticule: fabric from the chair cover, cotton (lining) and polyester cording for the drawstring.