Fashion was of great
interest to Jane Austen. She often, in great detail, discussed aspects of her
wardrobe in letters to her sister. The subject is equally important to her in
my novel Jane Austen’s First Love, as
in this moment in chapter 3 when Jane is contemplating their upcoming trip to
Kent:
“Mamma,” said
I over breakfast one morning, “what do you imagine the ladies will be wearing
at Godmersham and Goodnestone? Will they be splendidly dressed?”
“I suppose
they will,” replied my mother, as she thickly spread a piece of toast with
butter and jam. “I shall never forget the elegance of Mrs. Knight’s gown when
first I saw her all those years ago, nor her hat, which was the very height of
fashion. I have no doubt the Bridges ladies will all be similarly attired.”
