Regency Gentleman's Accessories


 During Jane Austen's time, for a man to go outside the house without a hat, well, it was very nearly the modern day equivalent to walking outside in your underwear.  It was, at the very least, disrespectful and uncouth.  A couple of months ago, after one year of reenacting without one (shame-shame), Carson finally found himself a hat.  We ordered it through Hat Crafters.  It's the #7 Empire, it's 8" tall, and it tapers in slightly at the top.  This style of topper is more specifically made for early Regency, later ones flare out at the top, but we will be using it for any Regency reenacting we do.  We can't afford two hats.  The topper fits him well.  The people at Hat Crafters were lovely to work with.  It is slightly wide on him, but that's only because he has a narrow head.  We will be putting strips of wool along the inside to fill in that space for now, but the hat should mould to his head after he wears it for a while.


Another accessory that was even more of a necessity than the hat was a pair of period appropriate spectacles.  His plastic, black-rimmed modern ones weren't cutting it.  We looked around on e-bay for a truly vintage pair, but they were priced a bit high for us.  In the end, we went with a reproduction pair from Jas. Townsend. Thankfully, Carson works for an eye glass company and can get prescription lenses put in them for next to nothing.

My husband can finally call himself a gentleman....well, in the Regency sense anyway. 


Comments

Deedee said…
He looks great!! Those spectacles are fabulous! My husband just wears his contacts. Anyone who is close enough to see he has contacts in is waaaay too close!!! Lol
Lovely accessories!
And I do have the glasses, too! I quite like to wear them, after seeing a woman on a miniature painting wearing similar ones http://kleidungum1800.blogspot.com/2010/12/augenglaser_28.html

Sabine
Jenni said…
Hi Sabine. I've been thinking about getting the glasses for myself, but hadn't seen any women wearing them. You have inspired me. I really don't like wearing my contact lenses for very long. This would solve a lot of my problems. Thank you for sharing your blog with me. I have added you to my blog favorites list. I hope that's ok.
Nabila Grace said…
Love it! Hats make sure a difference don't they! :o) And I even had a few glasses that looked similar when I was younger. :o) Can't wait to see if you get some glasses. :o)

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