The British Regency era (1811–1820) was a period of striking stylistic transformation, shaped by political upheaval, expanding global exchange, and renewed fascination with the classical world. Across visual art, architecture, interiors, and fashion, designers embraced an eclectic dialogue between antiquity and modernity. Women’s dress was dominated by neoclassical ideals, with high-waisted Empire silhouettes drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. Constructed from lightweight muslins and silks, garments were cut close to the body and draped to emphasise natural form and movement, marking a departure from the rigid structures of the eighteenth century.
Accessories played a vital role in shaping Regency fashion, particularly headwear. Early nineteenth-century bonnets evolved into distinctive ‘poke’ forms, characterised by high crowns and projecting brims. Lavishly trimmed with ribbons, flowers, and feathers, these bonnets framed and shaded the face, reinforcing contemporary ideals of modesty, femininity, and social decorum while responding to the realities of outdoor urban life.