Fashion Details To Mention In Your Next Historical Romance Novel

If you read or write historical romance novels about the Regency era, you have probably noticed that the women change their clothes a lot. Several times a day, in fact. To maintain the regency’s jargon and culture in your historical romance novel, you will want to incorporate some of these fashion trends into your book. 

A Cravat In Historical Romance Novels

The cravat in historical romance novels is the equivalent of a man’s tie or bowtie today. It was a neckcloth or necktie often tied in a fancy or intricate knot by the lord of high societies valet. 

The material of the cravat was typically stiff because it was starched, so it would not have been like today’s ties that flutter in the breeze. 

In many romance novels, you will note that the historical element of the cravat is often altered. For instance, many authors neglect that the piece of material was starched. Starching a cravat made it stiff, which means that it could only be tied once, or it would become frumpy-looking. 

So, for better or worse, men of the regency era were usually stuck with it. In some romance novels, army men choose not to have a valet and tie the material themselves. The scenes often feature them tying and retying their cravats which would not have been practical in historical regency times. 

In other Regency-era novels, you can read about the garment being used to handcuff someone or even as a tourniquet to stop bleeding. 

Ostrich Feathers For A Woman’s Hair

In the Regency era, high society ladies wore dresses for every occasion. The Opera house was a fun destination and similar to us going to a modern-day movie or concert. Only the style and fashion choices vary significantly from our own. Instead of leggings and hoodies like people of the 21st-century wear, 19th-century ladies turned out in their best at the opera. 

Ostrich feathers were a popular hair accessory for ladies in the Regency era to wear to the opera. Along with these fluffy hair accessories, ladies would wear white satin dresses that went all the way to their ankles. The dress hoops were left at home for the opera in this era. However, the pelisse was typically brought along. 

Pelisse

Over the satin gown, the women wear white lace pelisses. These were like jackets or cardigans that went all the way down to the floor. They had long sleeves too. 

It all sounds like a lovely wedding attire by today’s standards, though in regency romance novels, women in such an outfit—decked out in ostrich feathers—are often portrayed in an outlandish light. 

One example of where ostrich feathers and the opera style fashion is incorporated into a fictional historical romance novel is The Governess Of Prodigious Skill by Emily EK Murdock.

Hessian Boots

Hessians were famous men’s boots in 19th century England. There were a few notable features surrounding this stylish fashion choice:

• They are challenging to take off
• The shoes are adorned with trim and a tassel on the front
• Went up the calves
• Went well with knee pants

Knee pants were a popular choice for men to wear to the assembly rooms in the Regency era, but that fashion trend was soon weaned out, and Hessians began coming in looser styles to fit longer pants.

The regency romance novels of today love dropping the term Hessians because it can be used in a seductive scene and is typically a well-known bit of jargon in the industry. 

For example, the romance novel lady often helps her new husband strip off his Hessians before coming to bed. 

How To Get More Details On Regency Era Life

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5 Historical Romance Fashion Ideas For Romance Novels

Best Selling historical romance novels are full of fashion choices, from ladies’ hair to men’s feet. Be sure to weave some of these original ideas into your next Regency romance novel:

1. Ostrich feathers
2. White lace and satin dresses
3. Pelisse
4. Hessian boots
5. Cravat 

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