Austenland

Light blue, on the other hand, was often worn by women to evoke serenity and refinement. It was seen as a peaceful colour and carried connotations of modesty and fidelity, making it a fitting choice for daytime dresses or informal social gatherings. Furthermore, regency women just couldn’t quit celestial blue. The color first appeared in English writing in 1542 to signify a lighter alternative to azure in heraldry. The discovery of cobalt blue by French chemist, Louis Thénard in 1799 cast a spotlight on vibrant light blues, and celestial blue fast became a signature color. La Belle Assemblée featured a Roman spencer in the hot new shade in 1807 and it reached peak popularity from 1812 to 1817, but never went completely out of fashion. More intense tones were favored for promenade outfits, cloaks, and pelisses in heavier fabrics. Virtually interchangeable was the shade ethereal / etherial, which became especially fashionable when brighter colors replaced white for evening wear. Through 1824, La Belle Assemblée featured several dresses in the shade (such as the ball dress above) and declared it “prevailing.” In 1826 they served up a ‘home dress’ in the enduring shade.

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me." ― Jane Austen, Emma, Mr. Knightley.

"There could have been no two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved." — Jane Austen,Persuasion.

A popular Regency pink was blossom, a magenta pink originally known as Pompadour. Its lightest iteration was apple blossom. In the early 1800s, blossom gloves were a genteel alternative to white kid at balls. In June 1808, La Belle Assemblée featured a dress of “—blossom-coloured muslin over white cambric…”, and Ackermann published a blossom evening gown in 1813. Reticules made of blossom velvet or silk were very popular from 1810 to 1820 and were seen in its deepest shade. A pale peach-pink, blush was probably close to the shade we think of as “nude” these days. In plates it is hard to distinguish the various light apple or peach blossom tones. Blush was especially popular for silk “slips,” ie. the dress worn under a pelisse, spencer or thin layer of another color. It seems to have been very similar to the color known as flesh in 1801-1804, when it was favored for gloves. By 1811 it was being promoted as the more appealing maiden blush.

For men, however, yellow was less prevalent but appeared occasionally in waistcoats and accessories. These pops of colour could signal warmth and approachability, making yellow an accent rather than a dominant colour in men’s fashion.

"I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty women can bestow." Miss Bingley immediately fixated her eyes on his face, and desired he would tell her what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. Mr. Darcy replied: "Miss Elizabeth Bennet." — Jane Austen,Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy.

“She is loveliness itself. Mr. Knightley, is not she?” “I have not a fault to find with her person,” he replied. “I think her all you describe. I love to look at her; and I will add this praise, that I do not think her personally vain. Considering how handsome she is, she appears to be little occupied with it; her vanity lies another way.” — Jane Austen, Emma. Dialogue between Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley.

"They are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but Lizzy has something more of quickness than her sisters." — Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bennet.

THE MEANING OF COLORS IN REGENCY ERA BLUE Fitting with the aura of lightness and effortless beauty of Regency fashion, shades of blue were used widely, both in detailing, on ruffles and embroidery, as well as the entirety of a costume. A color considered ethereal, it was directly linked to meanings such as serenity and tranquility – essential attributes to the personality of a respectable lady at the time. Darker and stronger shades were popularly seen coloring pelisses, spencers, shawls and even riding coats. The most delicate tones were used within accessories (including the ones decorating hairstyles), reticules, bonnets and in evening and ball gowns. It became à la mode to superimpose a diaphanous fabric over one of more density, in order to add lightness to the look. Thus, young ladies often used the always admired white or ivory, but with a layer made of gauze, georgette, chiffon or voile over it. The so called celestial blue was always considered a good color for such a trend.

“What are men to rocks and mountains?” - Mary Bennet, Pride and Prejudice.

“She always declares she will never marry, which, of course, means just nothing at all. (...) I should like to see Emma in love, and in some doubt of a return; it would do her good.” - Mr. Knightley, Emma.

The Regency Era was highly inspired by the classic style, based on old Greece and its buildings, thus classic allusions were not uncommon. Pomona was the Greek goddess of the fruit trees, gardens and orchards, and was usually represented by apples. So it should be no surprise that the color people from that period called pomona was simply apple green, a hue with a good amount of yellow in it. It was sometimes also referred to as nascent-green or iodine green, the pigment popularly used being Oxide Green Chrome, and was considered to be a fashionable color both for clothes and furnitures. The Pomona green could be easily found in trimmings and details, or even coloring whole dresses.

WHITE During the Regency Era the most common color to use when referring to unmarried young ladies was white. A color commonly linked to purity and chastity, it also had a social connotation: the whiter your dress, the richer you was. The upper classes could afford to wear a light tone that easily got dirty, while this was definitely not the reality of the poorest.In general, light fabrics such as linen and muslin were used, sometimes also with details in other colors,in the ribbons and lace. The most popular shades were Primrose yellow or Puce purple.

“I cannot make speeches, Emma. . . . If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me.… Yes, you see, you understand my feelings.” _ Mr Knightley; Emma. 

GEORGIANA Georgiana is a Catalan, English, Greek and Romanian name. It is the feminine form of the male name George and a variation of the female names Georgina and Georgia. It comes from the Greek word Γεωργιος, meaning farmer. A variant spelling is Georgianna.

Fanny is a feminine given name, diminutive of Frances, Françoise or Stephanie. In the English-speaking world this has been a vulgar slang word since the late 19th century, and the name has subsequently dropped out of common use.