Empire Style / Regency Dress

Dearest Reader, this silhouette never truly left us.

The Empire silhouette, popular from the 1790s to the 1820s, reflected a neoclassical fascination with ancient Greece and Rome. Gowns were cut with a high waistline just beneath the bust and constructed from fine textiles, such as cotton muslin, and lightweight silk. Without the need for rigid understructures, the resulting silhouette emphasized verticality and softness. The skirt was columnar, the bodices simple, with sleeves that ranged from diminutive puffs to long, slim shapes. Necklines were typically low and wide, framing the shoulders and décolletage, while short trains added elegance for formal occasions. Though seemingly simple, the style was rich in nuance, its refinement lying in cut, fabric, and the subtle shaping of the figure.

The Empire silhouette made a graceful return in the early 20th century, inspiring bridal gowns that paired classical elegance with exquisite craftsmanship. Three standout examples from this revival include the embroidered pearl-grey dress with a braided tie to extenuate the high waist; the ivory silk gown with a lace bodice covered in diaphanous chiffon; and the third that blends beaded embellishments with embroidered net for a timeless effect. The silhouette reemerged in the late 1960s, now with a bohemian spirit, and continues to influence 21st-century bridal fashion, where designers like Claire Pettibone, reinterpret the Empire line with modern materials and innovative lacework.

It is a truth universally acknowledged... that this silhouette flatters nearly everyone.