Regency Era Pregnancy Fashion
As a Regency romantic suspense author, I often write characters and scenarios that parallel modern life. Things like transportation and meals and holidays. I must then translate that familiar event into a historical context.
With all eyes on the Duchess of Sussex who is due to deliver her first child sometime this month, I’ve been fascinated by what it would have been like to be pregnant during the Regency Era, especially when it came to fashion.
A quick Google search revealed this interesting tidbits:
Society didn’t force women to hide their pregnancies during the Regency era, and the high-waisted fashion of the time was “baby-bump” friendly so women were able to were the same gowns for some time. (Source: Retro Maternity Style)
The average number of children for women during the Regency period was eight. When “in the family way,” they continued with regular social interactions until the birth of the child. (Source: A Life of Perpetual Pregnancy for Regency Women)
Some of the Georgian and Regency period styles were easily adaptable to pregnancy and nursing, which became increasingly popular in the upper classes. (Source: Maternity Fashions in Regency England)
Love Regency romance? Look for the release of A Holiday Code for Love, coming to ebook in May.
