Male and female dress during the late 18th century and early 19th century were both influenced by the political climate of the time. But unlike male modes of dress female costume changed radically in the forty-two years spanning Jane Austen’s lifetime from 1775 to 1817.

The Late Eighteenth Century

Typical female dress throughout the 18th century consisted of sack and negligee dresses made of rich silks, caps, huge breast and sleeve bows, decorative aprons, kerchiefs and ruffles, and high heeled shoes. These dresses hung from the shoulders and were draped over wide hooped petticoats. Court dress tended to be highly elaborate with very wide hooped petticoats.

By the second half of the 18th century dresses were no longer supported by hoops and had softer less ostentatious fabrics rather than the brocades and silks prevalent earlier in the century. Women would even wear skirts and tailored jackets influenced by male military fashion.