Empire Strikes Back

Whoever designed the empire cut gown must have been obsessed with the “maternity look.” Popular during the Jane Austen’s time (i.e., Regency Era), the empire cut gown fitted what was considered as being beautiful (i.e., plump). These high-waisted gowns often had very low necklines, so low that a woman’s bosoms would be bursting out like tulips. From party dresses to wedding gowns, these supposedly “natural-fitting” dresses had to be designed by men – no doubt. If you’ve seen any Jane Austen movie, you know what I’m talking about, but if not, this great site has a lot of good pictures and historical information.