Jane Austen's Wardrobe

Hilary Davidson delves into the clothing of one of the worlds great authors, providing unique and intimate insight into her everyday life and material world What did Jane Austen wear? Acclaimed dress historian and Austen expert Hilary Davidson reveals, for the first time, the wardrobe of one of the worlds most celebrated authors. Despite her acknowledged brilliance on the page, Jane Austen has all too often been accused of dowdiness in her appearance. Drawing on Austens 161 known letters, as well as her own surviving garments and accessories, this book assembles examples of the variety of clothes she would have possessedfrom gowns and coats to shoes and undergarmentsto tell a very different story. The Jane Austen that Hilary Davidson discovers is alert to fashion trends but thrifty and eager to reuse and repurpose clothing. Her renowned irony and wit pepper her letters, which describe clothes, shopping, and taste. Jane Austens Wardrobe offers the rare pleasure of a glimpse inside the closet of a stylish dresser and perpetually fascinating writer.