Lesson Plan: Fashion in the Age of Austen

Subject: Fashion History

Topic: Early 1800s (Regency/Empire Period)

Target Learner: Madisyn (Age 13, Homeschool)

Time Allotment: 60-90 minutes (can be split into two sessions)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Describe the key characteristics of the early 1800s "Empire" silhouette for both men's and women's fashion.
• Identify at least three historical influences that shaped the fashion of this era.
• Analyze how clothing reflected the social values and new ideas of the time.
• Create a unique, modern fashion design inspired by early 1800s styles.

Materials Needed

• A computer or tablet with internet access
• Sketchbook, drawing paper, or a design template printout
• Pencils, colored pencils, or markers
• Optional: Old magazines, scissors, and glue for a collage-style mood board
• Optional: Access to short clips from film adaptations like Pride and Prejudice (2005), Emma (2020), or the show Bridgerton to see the fashion in motion.

Lesson Structure

Part 1: Introduction (10 minutes)

The Hook: From Corsets to Columns

Educator Script: "Hey Madisyn! Have you ever watched a movie like Pride and Prejudice or a show like Bridgerton and noticed those high-waisted, flowy dresses? They look so different from the huge, structured gowns with massive skirts that people wore just a few decades earlier, like Marie Antoinette.

What if I told you that changing from a restrictive corset and huge skirt to a simple, lightweight dress was like a major political statement? It was a revolution in fashion, not just in France! Today, we're going to be fashion detectives and travel back to the early 1800s to figure out why everyone suddenly changed the way they dressed."

Stating the Objectives

Educator Script: "Our mission today is to become experts on this time period. By the end of our lesson, you'll be able to spot an Empire-waist dress from a mile away, explain exactly *why* people dressed that way, and even try your hand at being a modern designer inspired by these classic looks."

Part 2: Body of the Lesson (30-45 minutes)

I DO: Unpacking the Regency Look (15 mins)

(Educator presents information using images found online. Search terms: "Regency fashion plates," "Empire silhouette," "Beau Brummell," "Josephine Bonaparte fashion.")

Talking Point 1: A Whole New Shape for Women.

Educator Script: "The biggest change for women was the silhouette, or the body's outline. They called it the 'Empire' silhouette, named after Napoleon's empire in France. The waistline shot up right under the bust. This created a long, straight, column-like look. Why? Two big reasons: First, after the French Revolution, nobody wanted to look like the super-rich, out-of-touch aristocrats. Simple was in. Second, archaeologists were digging up ancient Greek and Roman ruins like Pompeii, and everyone became obsessed with the simple, draped clothing they saw on statues. So, fashion tried to copy that 'classical' look."

• Key Features: High empire waist, lightweight and often sheer fabrics (like muslin or cotton), short puffy sleeves, and a relatively straight, narrow skirt. Accessories were key: long gloves, delicate slippers, shawls called pashminas, and bonnets for going outside.

Talking Point 2: Men's Fashion Gets a Makeover.

Educator Script: "Men's fashion changed dramatically, too. The fancy, powdered wigs, silk stockings, and frilly coats of the 1700s were out. The new ideal was the 'English country gentleman'—athletic, clean, and elegant in a more subtle way. The superstar of this new style was a man named Beau Brummell. He believed in perfect tailoring and cleanliness over flashy jewels and colors. He basically invented the modern suit!"

• Key Features: A dark, tailored wool tailcoat, often with a high collar; a light-colored waistcoat (vest); tight-fitting breeches or new, longer 'trousers'; and a 'cravat,' which was a linen cloth tied elaborately around the neck. The whole look was about fit and quality, not bling.

Formative Assessment (Quick Check):

Educator asks:

1. "What's the name for that super high-waisted dress style?" (Answer: Empire)
2. "What ancient civilizations were designers inspired by?" (Answer: Greece and Rome)
3. "Who was the famous trendsetter for men's fashion?" (Answer: Beau Brummell)

WE DO: Fashion Detectives (10 mins)

(This is a guided activity. Look at historical portraits or fashion plates together online.)

Educator Script: "Okay, let's put on our detective hats. I'm going to pull up a painting of Empress Joséphine of France. (Search for 'Portrait of Empress Josephine by Prud'hon'). Madisyn, can you point out three elements of the Empire style we just talked about? Look for the waistline, the sleeves, and the fabric."

(Guide Madisyn to identify the high waist, short sleeves, and classical draping of the skirt.)

Educator Script: "Great! Now let's look at a man. (Search for 'Portrait of George Bryan Brummell'). What makes his outfit look 'modern' for his time compared to, say, a portrait of King Louis XVI? What stands out about his coat and neckwear?"

(Guide Madisyn to notice the sharp tailoring, the simple colors, and the crisp white cravat.)

YOU DO: Regency Remix Design Challenge (15-20 mins)

Educator Script: "Now it's your turn to be the designer! Your challenge is to create a modern outfit for today that is inspired by the early 1800s. It could be a dress for a red carpet event, a cool streetwear look, or something you'd wear to school. You have two options for how to present your idea:"

• Option A: Designer's Sketch. On a piece of paper, sketch your design. Label at least two features that were directly inspired by Regency fashion (e.g., "puffed sleeves," "empire waist top," "tailored jacket," "cravat-inspired scarf").
• Option B: Designer's Mood Board. Create a collage using magazine cutouts or a digital tool like Canva. Pull together images, colors, and textures that capture your modern take on the Regency style. Add text boxes to explain your vision.

Success Criteria: A successful design will...

• Clearly show inspiration from the early 1800s.
• Be creative and designed for the modern world.
• Include annotations or labels that explain the connection to the historical period.

Part 3: Conclusion (5-10 minutes)

Show and Tell (Summative Assessment)

Educator Script: "Alright, designer, let's see your creation! Tell me about your design. What parts were inspired by the Regency era? Who would wear this today?"

(Madisyn presents her sketch or mood board, explaining her choices. This demonstrates her understanding of the key concepts.)

Recap and Reflection

Educator Script: "This was awesome! Let's quickly recap. We learned that early 1800s fashion was all about a new, natural silhouette inspired by ancient statues and a rejection of old aristocratic styles. For women, it was the high-waisted Empire dress. For men, it was the clean, tailored look of the dandy.

My final question for you is: Have you seen any of these styles pop up in fashion recently? Where? What do you think our clothes today say about our society?"

Differentiation and Extension

• For Support: Provide a pre-drawn fashion figure (a "croquis") for Madisyn to design on, so she can focus on the clothing rather than drawing the body. Offer a "checklist" of Regency elements she can choose to include in her design (e.g., puff sleeves, high waist, bonnet, tailcoat).
• For a Challenge (Extension Activities):
  • Material World: Research the fabric "muslin." Why was it so popular, and where did it come from? What was the controversy sometimes called the "muslin disease"?
  • Accessory Deep Dive: Choose one accessory from the period—like a "reticule" (a small handbag), a "spencer" (a short jacket), or a "pelisse" (an overcoat)—and create a short presentation (1-2 minutes) about its history and purpose.
  • Write a Blog Post: Write a short fashion blog post titled "Three Ways to Rock the Regency Look in the 21st Century," using what you've learned.