2023 Trend Prediction: Regency Revival
2023 Trend Prediction: Regency Revival
By: Emma Greene
In the 2020s, anything goes when it comes to trends. In the past decade, the fashion industry, especially the fast fashion industry, has exhausted styles ranging from the sixties to the two thousands. It comes as no surprise that designers and consumers are in need of new inspiration, thus looking even farther back in time to the nineteenth century.
This nineteenth-century return is emerging in two definitive forms, reflecting either the Regency Era (1795-1837), which is defined by the rule of King George III, or the Gilded Age, which emerged during the 1870s and ended at the turn of the century, although the exact year is unclear. The two eras, made contemporary by television shows like Bridgerton and The Gilded Age, are defined by similar pomp and circumstance, but distinctive silhouettes.
Fans of Bridgerton are familiar with the Regency era’s empire waist and shelved cleavage while The Gilded Age viewers are well-versed in the exaggerated appearance of corsets, hoop skirts, and bustles.
Although 2023 will not see the full return of these overstated silhouettes, elements of both eras have already found their way onto the rack. Recent popularity of puff sleeves, elegant lace, jacquard fabrics, and pearl and rhinestone detailing lead one to expect that the nineteenth century will continue to prosper in coming seasons and years.
Brands like Reformation, LoveShackFancy, and Makarian have fully embraced the 1800s and countless others from fast fashion to high fashion have attempted to. According to Women’s Wear Daily, searches for “babydoll dress,” “empire waist dress,” and “puff sleeve dress” have increased by 31-48% each since the airing of Bridgerton in December of 2020. Searches for period accessories such as “opera gloves” and “pearl earrings” have increased by 67% and 26% respectively.
Women’s clothing may also begin to incorporate details similar to that of men’s fashion of the time periods, such as extravagant detailing on the cuffs and collars of buttoned shirts.
Nineteenth century influence has also found its way into interior design through the rise of cottagecore, which often mimics the Regency era and Gilded age’s flowery textiles and maximalist style.
Should this influence continue, ornate furniture reminiscent of French country and other antique styles will increase. The rising popularity of shadow box moldings and wallpaper in h0me design may come to include crystal chandeliers and dramatically carved furniture.
Premodern-inspired fashions will find a place within contemporary style subgenres of 90s, Y2K, and other defined period styles.
As contemporary fashion comes to encompass styles of the last two centuries, it is important to remember that trends are only one facet of fashion’s ever-changing landscape while one’s personal style is an indefinable quality, individual and irreplaceable.
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Photos by Kaitlyn Steinroeder.