This study guide was created through a partnership between Roadsted Montessori Middle and High School and Virginia Stage Company. The students read the novel Emma and conducted research on Jane Austen as well as the Regency time period. With guidance from Virginia Stage Company, they wrote articles on a variety of topics centered around the novel and the time period to provide context for Virginia Stage Company's production of Emma.
Charly Dalrymple, 12th grade
The Muslin Dress
Gone are the days of loud displays of wealth in the dresses of the aristocrats; a new, modern look is taking society by storm. Sleek, refined elegance, reminiscent of the pure white Roman statues recently uncovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum, creates the look of the turn of the century. Popularized in the early 1780s by Queen Marie Antoniette, the flowing muslin dress, which resembles a garment one might wear to sleep, has high society wide awake. The dress was brought to the wardrobes of British women after actress Mary Robinson wore it in 1782. This dress perfectly embodies the desired aesthetics of the modern era. Following the revolution in France, the extravagance of the aristocrats became an embarrassment. A more refined and reserved style is the best way to subtly show your wealth. The white fabric adds a degree of class to anybody who wears it. Any lady today who considers herself fashionable must certainly invest in this timeless style.
Boy’s Fashion
Boyhood begins and ends with fashion. When your young lad leaves behind the tiny frocks and gowns of his infancy for the trousers of boyhood, he begins his long path towards manhood. Three to four years of age is a good time for a young boy to receive his first pair of trousers, but by 15, he is developing into a young man and should start to dress himself in more adult styles. Similarly, a girl becomes a woman around the same age and is considered marriageable. Her dress should now reach down to her feet, a symbol of her maturity. Tailcoats and breeches mark the transition from boy to man, and are a must-have in the closet of any respectable gentleman. In some spaces, trousers are actually starting to become popular among adult gentlemen.
Men’s Fashion
With the recent Napoleonic wars, men are taking influence from military uniforms worn in battle and are translating these silhouettes into daily wear. The high collars and flowing tailcoats create a masculine shape, worn both on and off the battlefront. The quality of a garment is defined by the quality of its fabric. You can't go wrong with wool, dyed a deep masculine shade of blue or brown. Like the Roman leaders of times past, a gentleman's hair should be kept short. Frilly lace and decorative elements exist only in the sphere of womenswear, and any man meaning to be taken seriously in his position should refrain.
The Elements of an Outfit
A corset is a much-needed undergarment for any lady. Providing support and shaping the figure, the modern corset serves to soften a woman's shape and highlight her bust, creating an elegant and beautiful figure. A petticoat sits atop the corset, draping over the figure, creating that ideal shape all women today are looking for. Overtop of this petticoat, a dress should be worn. A nice dress made of high quality muslin is sure to signify your good taste.
Hair
Elegance does not stop with your clothes. Hair fashioned in elaborate styles of ringlets and curls, and decorated with gems, hats, and ribbons, calls back to Greek antiquity and timeless style. Heat can be applied to hair in order to achieve those classic curls. Hair should be parted down the middle, with curls embellishing the sides or framing the face. Hair can be pulled back and up into a bun, crowning the head. Pins and clips can help you maintain your style.