Mon
Mar 4 2013 9:28am

What Historical Period’s Clothing is the Best?

Rebecca Hall in Parade's EndOne of the reasons many of us like watching historical dramas such as Downton Abbey, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, and more recently, Parade's End, is for the clothing.

Because, let's face it, the Crawleys wouldn't be nearly as interesting if they didn't have such fantastic clothes to wear.

So if you were to pick a period of time to live in purely by the type and style of clothing you'd get to wear—what would it be?

Regency, with its Empire waistlines? Georgian, with the huge skirts and more enormous hair styles? Edwardian, with the long, slim lines? Or another period?

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11 comments
Aren.Rayn
1. Aren.Rayn
medieval.. i dunno what it is but it look simple and sooo elegance.. maybe the design or the sleeve... does it make sense? huhuhuhu
Jamie Brenner
2. jamieloganbrenner
The beaded dressed of the mid-1920s. Also from that time period, the first little black dresses by Chanel and her early suits. I like the clothing from the first season on Downton Abbey, but the undergarments would kill me.
Aren.Rayn
3. MelM
Georgian, but not for dressing myself. I just like the idea of the hero in velvet, lace, jewels, and high heels yet still being the most badass alpha of all badass alphas. Down with black leather!
Aren.Rayn
4. Isabel C.
1940s. Shirtdresses, big curls, and military style! And the men's fashions were equally tasty.
Megan Frampton
5. MFrampton
One of the best, and shallowest, reasons I love reading Regency romances is because of the clothing. The Empire waistlines, light cotton fabrics, hats that don't look ridiculous--I love all of it. And I like the clean lines for gentlemen's clothing, too.
Aren.Rayn
6. DudettRin101
I'm gonna say medeival.
Aren.Rayn
7. EC Spurlock
Edwardian from 1890-1910. That era was the beginning of simpler dressing for a more active lifestyle; clean lines and easy movement but with a presence that still commanded attention. The teeny waists would kill me, though. :-)
Carmen Pinzon
8. bungluna
I love the fashions of the early 1960's. Mary Quant and co. changed the way women dressed but there was still a sense of elegance and tayloring about it. It was fun and modern and hadn't gotten slovenly yet.
Julia Broadbooks
9. juliabroadbooks
The spencers and little hats and ribbons and pelisses, I adore Regency clothes. But is it because I love stories set in that time so much or do I love them on their own merits?
Aren.Rayn
10. Katie T.
I have always hated the boob lines on the types of dresses and shirts like in that photo. It makes the girls look saggy.

I can't say I'm a fan of fashion in books, I just don't really pay attention to the details. TV shows are another thing, though, I appreciate all the styles and details, but I don't have a fondness for one era in general.

I actually hate Regency dress despite how much I love Regency romances. Empire waists are so boring, and those dresses are more often than not just silk sacks.
Vanessa Ouadi
11. Lafka
I'm surprised no one has mentionned Victorian fashion so far. I particularly love the evening gowns of this early period (1840's to 1860's), with short sleeves and a low neck, falling off the shoulders, and with those wide skirts. I also love the contrast between the full-bottom skirts and the tight-fitting bodice in the 1880's (I do have a thing for corsets, which might explain why...).

I also like the 1910's style, when the skirts did no longer flirted with the floor but instead raised above the ankles and when women shortened their hair.
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