WOW ~ Word of the Week ~ All St. Audrey

How’s everyone doing? I hope we’re all staying home, washing our hands, keeping safe distances, and making good decisions. In crazy times, I’m reminded of the immortal words of President Whitmore in Independence Day.

In no way do I mean to be flippant or make light of the real risks running rampant in our world…but I do think humor has its place in keeping us sane and grounded in our new – and hopefully temporary – reality.

In the meantime, in my little corner of the internet, let’s look at some more beautiful things from history. This week: ten years of promenade, or walking dresses, from the Regency era. Just because.

All St. Audrey

A term said to be derived from the shrine and altar of St. Audrey (an Isle of Ely saintess), which for finery exceeded all others thereabouts, so as to become proverbial; whence any fine dressed man or woman said to be all St Audrey.

Walking Dress, 1803, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1804, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1805, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1806, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1807, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1808, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1809, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1810, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1811, La Belle Assemblee.

Walking Dress, 1812, La Belle Assemblee.

 

• Slang term taken from the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.
• Learn about the intricacies of the Walking Dress from Victoriana Magazine, Donna Hatch, Pemberley.com, Susanne Dietze, and University of Vermont.