I just bought a book called Jane Austen Fashion: Fashion and Needlework in the Works of Jane Austen (ISBN 1 900318 12 1, Printed in Great Britain, publised by Excellent Press, 1999.) The author is Penelope Byrde and she is the curator of the Museum of Costume and Fashion Research Centre in Bath, and is a Life Member of the Jane Austen Society. This wonderful book is filled with a good variety of colour illustrations, mostly all of which are from fashion plates of Jane's time. Here is a snippet from the dust jacket--

" 'And pray sir, what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?'

'It is very pretty, madam,' said he, gravely examining it,'but I do not think it will wash well. I am afraid it will fray.'

This extract from Northanger Abbey is one of many references to dress from Jane Austen novels and letters included in Penelope Byrde's illustrated study of costume and needlework in the novelist's lifetime. Clothes fascinated Jane Austen. She was an accomplished needlewoman and some articles of her work are illustrated here. Also shown in colour are many delightful contemporary fashion plates, of which the jacket illustration is one, making this book a rare treat for lovers of Jane Austen's novels."

Next time one is reading Emma and wondering about Frank Churchill's gloves and what the 'sleek, well tied parcels of "Men's Beaver's" and "York Tan"'are, this book will provide the answer. In the back, there is also a short glossary of textile terms used in the works of JA.

I think that Jane Austen Fashion will provide many anwers to the fashion questions that often pop up on this board.

Honoured, &c.
Marie-Bernadette