Here’s the closest we’ll ever get to an authentic Regency fashion show.

This video of actual garments of early 19th century clothing gives us a close-up view of the high styles of the day.

The high-waisted gowns, which were fashionable during the Regency period of the early 1800s, were known as the Empire look. You’ll see a lot of white, which was a sign of social status since white had to be cleaned more often.

I particularly love the yellow cape and the detailing on some of the evening dresses is gorgeous.

If you’d like to see even more, check out this earlier post on Regency fashion.

Here’s a terrific up-close look at some authentic gowns and accessories worn during the Regency period. I love the embroidery detail. The video includes some interesting factoids, too. For example, I didn’t know Indian shawls were popular during this time as much-needed protection against those drafty manor homes.

At the recent Romance Writers of America (RWA) convention in New York, author Deeanne Gist gave a hands-on, clothes-on workshop on how to dress – and undress – your heroine.

According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, it took Gist an hour to put on everything that a lady would have worn in the 1860s. The pieces of clothing included stockings, garters, bloomers, chemise, corset, crinoline or hoop skirt, petticoats, a shirtwaist or blouse, skirt, vest and bolero jacket.

The Journal reports that 25 percent of all books sold are historical romances, according to book-industry analyst Bowker.

But getting accurate details on a lady’s under-things takes a lot of work.

“When you’re doing something where they’re undressing in a love scene situation—these are the practical things that you never find in a research book,” bestselling novelist Laura Lee Guhrke tells the Journal. “You want to be accurate.”

Check out the video above for a close-up look at a Victorian lady’s unmentionables.