What Is Regency Core?

Have you lost count of how many times you've re-watched Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley, or maybe you can't wait for the new season of The Bridgertons? In late December, the series The Bridgertons costume melodrama about a wealthy family living in Regency-era London, was released. Screen versions of the novels of American writer Julia Queen shook up the public not only with diverse casting but also luxurious dresses (in the first season alone, the heroes changed about seven and a half thousand outfits!), which all immediately wanted to put on. Silhouettes of dresses, as if they came from fashion magazines of the 19th century, pearl jewelry, and shawls can become not just a fantasy on the theme of the Regency times, but quite a tangible part of the closets of fashion stylist.

Such costumes and accessories appeared in the collections of Simone Rocha, Rodarte, Zimmermann, Erdem, and other fashion houses during the Spring-Summer Fashion Week. However, the public started talking about outfits made in the aesthetics of past centuries only now, on the wave of popularity of Bridgertons.

Regency core, this is the name given to the trend, is called both a cure for pandemic boredom, and an encroachment on historical realities, and an incredibly colorful fantasy. What are its actual objectives? How did regency core come to be? Keep reading this blog since if you are wondering about it!

TV series have long since ceased to be purely an uncomplicated form of entertainment and a way to spend the evening after work. They have become a phenomenon in their own right, influencing the entire cultural landscape, including fashion. Remember how after the resounding success of Mad Men everyone loved the style of the 50's, and the release of the next season of Game of Thrones forced designers to quote medieval costume? Bright images of screen characters so deeply penetrate our consciousness that we start trying them on ourselves - that's how new trends are born.

That's exactly what's happening today with new Netflix and HBO Max hits. The release of the second season of Euphoria , for example, had everyone doubling down on buying noughties style items (especially tight dresses with cutouts). The long-awaited Sex and the City reboot helped bring Fendi baguettes and tutu skirts back to their former glory and also made Valentino orange dresses like Carrie Bradshaw's in the final episode.

And last year's premiere of The Bridgertons , a TV series about the love affairs of an aristocratic clan in the modernized Regency era, spawned a trend called Regencycore, which brought back corsets, high-waisted empire tunic dresses, long opera gloves, and even tiaras. This intricate and opulent style was even included in the last annual report of the Lyst platform - and this year it is not planning to give up its position at all. Let's explain what regency-core fashion is all about.

Regency core is a romantic, restrained, and aristocratic fashion trend inspired by 18th centry, taking the best from the outfits of people who lived in England during the reign of Prince Regent George. The release of Emma , an adaptation of Jane Austen's novel of the same name, can be called a point of reference. The movie was set in the Regency Era - the sourcebook itself was published in 1815, and costume designer Alexandra Byrne put all her soul into reflecting the old days. The characters of Anya Taylor-Joy and Mia Goth walk around in muslin dresses with ruffles, complementing their images with intricate hats and pearl accessories. The final detail is the intricate styling.

The public liked the romantic and feminine outfits of aristocrats from the series so much that they began to adopt similar things in their closets. Of course, we should not talk about a complete repetition of images, but some notes of the style of the era like long gloves or dresses with a high waist became popular last year.

At the beginning of the 19th century, secular society faced serious changes in clothing. This was pushed by the Industrial Revolution, which expanded the possibilities - now not only manual labor was allowed to create things but also factory production. Nobles began to wear dresses made of expensive fabrics and decorate them with expressive decor - embroideries, ruffles, stones, assemblages. Dresses - they then formed the basis of women's closet, remained simple, with an exaggerated waist, but now had a trim, saying that the lady belonged to a noble family.

But, of course, regency core fashion can not be, and in general, is not the essence of the new fashion trend. Regencycore or modern regency style is rather a free interpretation of the era, when typical for that period characteristic features of clothing echoed with modern trends and new views. It is an essence borrowed from the era, complemented with current details.

The main feature of the regency core fashion, as we have already realized, is not full compliance with the fashion of the early 19th century, but the integration of its basic principles into modern clothing. Thus, the actual now Regencycore is like:

Simple silhouettes
Despite the fact that the decoration and trimming of dresses then became more complicated, the silhouettes remained simple. The Regency era greatly complicated and embellished the outfits, but did not bring them back to the then wasting Baroque era with its layered skirts and screaming luxury;

High-waisted dresses
The early 19th century was a time when the choice of women's attire was limited to high-waisted empire-style dresses. Empire dress is the main trend associated with regency core;

History plus modernity
The modern Regency style is nothing but details borrowed from history, adapted to the modern rhythm of life and fashion. For modern regencycore, for example, you can take an empire-style dress of bright color, although in the 19th century, there were no such fabrics.

Natural fabrics
For everyday looks, choose cotton shirts and dresses - they lie beautifully on the body and allow it to breathe. When choosing an outfit for a party, opt for silk or velvet - they will emphasize your awareness of the court fashion of the old days.

Ornate décor
The first rule of Regency Core followers is not to wear hats as they did in the 19th century. The second rule is to replace them with strange bags, an abundance of ruffles, or embroideries on clothes. Boldly complement the bow with brightly colored headbands, thin pearl necklaces, bucket bags that are decorated with stones, or spherical clutches made of metal. When choosing costumes, don't shy away from floral patterns and lace - they will reflect your desire to convey a Regency aesthetic.

The color palette is varied, but pastel shades are more welcome. Delicate lace or floral prints, as well as ruffles, will not hurt - they give the outfits airiness.

However, dressing up today in regency core style, you should not completely copy the images of heroines from your favorite works. Regency core is an ironic reinterpretation of the 19th-century style. So combining a characteristic dress, tiara, and opera gloves in one look is not a good idea, because the image simply risks turning into a cosplay rather than a stylish and modern outfit.

Pick one style element that you like and mix it with your everyday closet. For example, if you're crazy about delicate empire silhouette dresses, wear them with Mary Jane shoes or sandals. Gloves and tiaras will be unnecessary here. Instead, they will fit perfectly into a bow with jeans and a corset top, for example.

Corset top
Corsets in that period were still worn. Their function changed - now they were designed not to tighten the waist, but to lift the chest so that it looked good in an empire dress. It can be worn on its own, and not under the dress - with a top or jeans, for example, or over a sundress;

Regency style dress
It is a product of a free, simple cut with an exaggerated waistline. Any length, but if you want a perfect hit in the style - choose a maxi, but mini will look great, especially in summer.

A moderately puffy skirt
Models of A-silhouette skirts made of light, flying fabric, as well as natural materials are suitable. Embroidery, ruffles, and a small amount of stones or pearls as decorations are welcome.

An elegant blouse with puffed sleeves
If you want to create a regency-core look, this is a great choice. An elegant blouse with puffy sleeves emphasizes the chest or a light silk shirt - such things are easy to find. These tops resemble the cut of empire style dresses. They can be easily combined with light skirts, shorts, and pants to create a regency-core look, which is more suitable for modern everyday life.

And, of course, do not forget to complement your romantic looks with regency core style jewelry. It should be minimalistic and refined products without unnecessary details that will not attract too much attention. For example, you can choose elegant drop earrings with pearls or a necklace with miniature stones.