Jane Austen is my favorite author. I have read every piece of work she has ever written and watched all the movies and television series based on her works. Of course, if you are looking for other literature that are similar to Jane Austen or set during the Napoleonic Wars, you should check out the following:
- anything by Georgette Heyer (regency love stories galore, but more on the fluffy side)
- Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South (love story is similar to Pride and Prejudice, but it's set in a textile town in the 1850s and has more social commentary about the plight of the working class)
- Patrick O'Brian's Post Captain (similar to Persuasion, but told from the perspective of a British naval captain and a surgeon who are fighting and spying in the Napoleonic Wars)
- Susanna Clarke's Mr. Norell and Jonathan Strange (set in regency England, but in an alternate universe with magic; it's a mix of Jane Austen, Patrick O'Brian, and Harry Potter)
- C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower series (about a young British officer's naval adventures)
- Bernard Cromwell's Sharpe series (about the Peninsular Wars, but told through the perspective of Richard Sharpe, a common solder promoted to the rank of a commissioned officer, who despite his intelligence and fighting prowess, continuously faces class prejudice)
My Favorite Regency Designers
If you would like your dolls to do some time traveling or get Lost in Austen, I highly recommend the following seamstresses. I only recommend people's work I've seen up close, and all of their outfits are spectacular.
Thimbles and Acorns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThimblesandAcorns
Shari's gowns are always meticulously researched and beautifully constructed. I think her patterns are the most historically accurate and unique.
Vintique Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/VintiqueDesigns
Linda's gowns have delicate, ethereal quality to them that fits well with regency aesthetics. Her embellishments of lace make her dresses extra special.
Tomi Jane's Doll Times
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dolltimes
I think of Tomi Jane's outfits as regal and rich, fit for any Miss Bingley.
Dollies' Dressmaker
http://www.dolliesdressmaker.com
If you ever come across Cindy's haute couture designs on Ebay, just snatch them up because they are amazing.
Threads of Troy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ThreadsOfTroy
Karen's designs are simple and elegant.
Terri's Touch
http://www.etsy.com/shop/terristouch
Terri's regency dresses don't vary because they follow the 1820s Josefina pattern. However, the dresses are always perfectly constructed and very affordable.
Doll Clothes of Yore
http://www.yoreclothes.com/
Emily offers a beautiful spencer coat and bonnet that would please any Jane Austen fan.
Vintique Design
Dollies' Dressmaker
Terri's Touch
You can read reviews of my favorite Regency set novels and my favorite period dramas on my blog. My favorite is Georgette Heyer. Jude Morgan writes in the style of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer but his wit is a bit more subtle.
ReplyDeletehttp://bluestockingmusings.blogspot.com
Ah, the Regency period. I just love the clothing style. It was so simple and graceful. I love Jane Austen too, and have read everything she wrote as well as visited her cottage in Chawton. I love Elizabeth Gaskell's stories from the movies I've seen, but have only read Cranford. I'll have to look into North and South:) I watched the mini-series but never read the book!
ReplyDelete-Lauren (from The Dressmaker Doll Fashions:))