Talk: High Waists to Romantic Tastes by Grace Evans

High Waists to Romantic Tastes – Regency Fashion, 1800 – 1830s

The Regency period occupies a very special place in our imagination, particularly when it comes to fashion. It was a time of great elegance and innovation, which saw the appearance of daringly different dress styles for both men and women. This talk will explore the fashions of this fascinating time. Grace will look at how styles spread and developed, while placing them into the context of this tumultuous and significant period in history.

The talk accompanies an exhibition of the same name currently showing at Chertsey Museum (exhibition closes 30.08.2025)

Grace Evans is a Curator, Lecturer and Author, and currently holds the post of Keeper of Costume at Chertsey Museum. Having curated the Olive Matthews Collection of dress and textiles since 2001, she has developed a broad and detailed understanding of this nationally significant group of items. She interprets the collection through exhibitions, talks and publications, both online and in print form. Her publications include the paper ‘Marriage a la mode, An 18th Century Wedding Ensemble from the Olive Matthews Collection, Chertsey Museum’ for the Costume Society journal. She has also published the following books: Fashion in Focus, Treasures from the Olive Matthews Collection and Titanic Style, Dress and Fashion on the Voyage.

The Olive Matthews Collection is housed at Chertsey Museum in Surrey. It consists of over 6,000 items of men’s, women’s and children’s dress and accessories dating from c.1600 to the 21st century. The collection is of national significance, and regularly lends items to institutions such as Historic Royal Palaces, the V&A and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

Grace Evans image: Photo by John Chase Photography

Location: the talk takes place in The Abercorn Room at Painshill

Organised in aid of Painshill Park Trust Limited, registered charity in England and Wales (284944). We rely on fundraising to preserve and maintain Painshill for future generations so your support is very important to us.