Negotiating Authenticity: Exploring Design Decisions of Reenactors' Regency Gowns
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The first national meeting of textile and clothing professors took place in Madison, Wisconsin in June 1959. With a mission to advance excellence in education, scholarship and innovation, and their global applications, the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) is a professional and educational association of scholars, educators, and students in the textile, apparel, and merchandising disciplines in higher education.
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Abstract
There are currently about 4,500 members of the Jane Austen Society of North America within the United States and Canada. Members of Jane Austen groups frequently meet together for events such as balls and teas. During these events members are encouraged to wear “Regency” period dress (which roughly covers 1795-1820). Dress plays a major role in the activities of these groups and there is a desire among members to dress authentically. While scholarship exists regarding the authenticity, materials, and construction of extant garments from these time periods, there are few studies focusing on Regency costume as it is worn today. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine the “quest for authenticity” (Handler and Saxton 1988, p. 242) and subsequent design decisions of reenactors creating Regency gowns.