Today in the mail I got a parcel from Historika, the modiste who has been making my Regency ensemble in the U.K.  In it were two packages done up in tissue paper and pink ribbon. You know, it’s funny how a little touch like that can make a girl feel special.

And of course, I had to run out the door to a meeting. You may imagine my impatience.

When I came home, I donned them with the mockup of the short stays that Jill’s Corsets is making for me.  Then, because I knew you would be curious, I took a series of photos. One with the chemise, short stays, bodiced petticoat, and the dress. One with no undergarments, save a slip. (The dress is quite sheer.) And one with modern undergarments.

Now we’ll play a game and you may guess which is which.

You can see the difference that having the right underpinnings makes in getting the appropriate silhouette for the Regency period. Well, actually, for any period since fashions on the ideal body change.

It did become clear to me, pretty immediately that dressing would never happen in a hurry and that I will likely need assistance to tie the bow in the back of the dress. I’m also very happy that I went with the heavier weight petticoat because, as I mentioned earlier, this dress is sheer.

For the launch party of Shades of Milk and Honey, I’ll also have a green silk spencer to go on top of the dress and headpiece that is somewhere between turban and beret.  What’s wonderful about this dress is how flexible it is in terms of style so that I can add different ribbons or a top as accessories and change the look.

Because I know at least one person will ask (You know who you are), here are some detail photos of the pretty things I got in the mail today.