My Regency Capsule Wardrobe

My plans for what I'm going to wear on my trip to England have changed several times in the past six months!  First I was unable to find fabric in the right color to match a vintage sari I have that I want to make into a ballgown, so that particular gown will have to wait for another occasion.  Then I had planned a rather elaborate wardrobe of 4-5 dresses and 2-3 spencers, but then I started thinking about packing all of this.  I'm taking a bus from Heathrow Airport to Bath at the start of the trip, and the bus only allows two medium-sized suitcases and one carry-on.  Given this, and the fact that we will be moving hotels from Bath to Brighton to London throughout the week, I started rethinking my plans to ensure I can pack as light as possible.  Eventually this solidified into a Regency capsule wardrobe.

 

 

 

I will now be bringing just two dresses, one spencer, two sleeveless bodices, and one petticoat that will hook into the waistband of each bodice.   By mixing and matching these elements (and by adding accessories) I'll be able to make at least five different outfits!

Day One:  Black & Ivory Striped Dress

 

Day Two:  Green Sleeveless Spencer, White Striped Petticoat

 

Day Three:  Sheer Striped Dress (over Pink Bodiced Petticoat), Pink Silk Spencer

 

Day Four:  Black & Ivory Striped Dress, Pink Silk Spencer

 

Day Five:  Blue Sleeveless Bodice, White Striped Petticoat

 

I was originally going to wear the Sheer Striped Dress twice, with two different bodiced petticoats (since they show through and change the look of the dress significantly), but I am currently so over the moon about how beautifully my Black & Ivory Dress turned out that I want to wear it twice!  So I can leave my blue bodiced petticoat behind, and save a little more space.

I am also bringing two shifts (and a third in progress), two sets of stays, one bodiced petticoat, three bonnets, three shawls, five sets of stockings, and probably three pairs of shoes.

I leave this afternoon, and I need to finish packing, so I'd better run!  Watch my Instagram for updates from England!