What is "Regencycore?" (or How I was Trendy 25 Years Too Soon 😂)

WWD contacted me a few weeks ago to talk about a new trend their editors had spotted due to the massive uptick in viewers of Regency film and television adaptations over the last year. They’d christened it “Regencycore” and wanted to know if I’d noticed it and if it had affected my pattern sales at all.

Doing “Regencyore” with a friend before it was cool!

I chuckled, because I basically live under a rock when it comes to modern fashion trends, but I had, indeed, noticed a surge in pattern sales over the past few months and hadn’t pinned it down until I checked my site’s search terms dashboard. Interesting.

“Regency gowns” and “Jane Austen dresses” were not a surprise, but the sheer number of variations on “how to make a Regency costume” and “how to dress like a Regency character” blew me away. I didn’t see anything for “Regencycore,” but a separate online search confirmed that this term has joined the ranks of “Cottagecore,” “Dark Academia,” and other fun trends that have crossed my radar in the past year. It seems lockdowns and YouTube tutorial binging have unlocked a whole new level when it comes to creating beautiful outfits that click with the wearer’s personality and just say, “This is me!”

Baby number three on my lap, while wearing one of my favorite gowns at the time.

After living most of my teenage years in Edwardian-style dresses, long petticoats, and granny boots, I fell head over heels for Regency fashions when I hit my early twenties (mid-90s, if you simply must know). That happened to be the same time I met my future husband, watched “Emma” in theaters, and got married. I found the Regency style simply perfect for comfy days at home and (surprise!) as maternity wear when I was pregnant with my first. Darlings, I was “Regencycore” before it was cool.

When I spoke with Tara Donaldson from WWD, I told her I found it delightful that the same styles that led me into starting my pattern line have now skyrocketed into the public interest again 25 years later…and for a whole new demographic. I couldn’t be happier, as I love to see a new generation finding joy in learning a new skill in the quest to create something unique to wear.

Whether you are an old hand at sewing or can barely thread a needle, giving historical sewing a try needn’t be scary. We all started somewhere—including me and many of the amazing men and women in this community who make their own clothing and clothing for others. If you’re dying to reproduce an outfit you’ve seen in a film adaptation, this is the time! There are a plethora of helpful tutorials online—I even have a bunch on my site and on YouTube. (If you want to go all the way and start with a proper corset, I recommend the excellent class over at Historical Sewing.) I absolutely love to help beginners get started. I’ve got a class for my Regency Gown pattern and am also available on my channel on the Telegram app if you’d like to reach out to chat. The bottom line is that you are surrounded by a veritable sea of eager enthusiasts and experienced sewists who can help you make those Regencycore dreams come true!

My modern riff on the Regency in 2009, when I made this hip-length maternity top to wear over long skirts. I have a lot of fond memories of comfy and pretty Regency-esque outfits I made over the years!

You don’t need a special event as an excuse to create a Regency or Regency-inspired outfit. Make something to wear just because it makes you happy and beams a bright light into the world. Heaven knows we can use all the beauty we can create these days. Regencycore is a welcome addition to the world of self-made fashion, and I can’t wait to see what you stitch up!