In case you missed it, last year was 250 years since Jane Austen was born and yet her novels continue to be a source of delight. Most readers of Austen have a favourite novel. In my twenties, my favourite was Pride and Prejudice, but later I grew to love the spoof quality of Northanger Abbey. Now I’d have to say my favourite is Persuasion for its glimpse into her writing process – we have both her draft ‘sensible’ ending and the final published ending and can only applaud the high romantic drama of the ending she chose.
Which novel is the best is always contested but not as fiercely as which screen adaptation. The 2022 movie of Persuasion had Austen fans outraged by its anachronistic dialogue, for example. More commonly, the fashion choices in adaptations can be challenging. Who can forget the wardrobe of the 1940 Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier movie of Pride and Prejudice which could have come directly from the set of Gone with the Wind?
My interest in fashion in Austen’s time was piqued by a small collection of Austen family heirlooms and Regency fashion which were displayed at a picnic co-hosted by the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation and the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), held at historic home of ‘Invergowrie’ in Hawthorn, Melbourne. The display was fascinating for its homespun quality of breakfast crockery and hand sewn garments. The items were provided by the special guest at the event, Caroline Jane Knight, 5th great-niece of Austen, who grew up at Chawton House where Jane lived and wrote. Caroline has written about her Austen connection in her book ‘Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage’ (available in paperback and ebook versions from all major online retailers).
To get a more detailed look at the fashion of the era I’m heading to an event at the National Gallery of Victoria, ‘Dress in the age of Jane Austen with Hilary Davidson’ to be held this coming Saturday 10th January. Although live tickets are sold out, apparently there are still online tickets available.
Hilary Davidson is described as a leading fashion historian and author whose work looks how fashion influences and expresses social and cultural changes. Her most recent book is ‘A Guide to Regency Dress from Corsets and Breaches to Bonnets and Muslins’ was published in December 2025 – illustrated and available in hardcover from online retailers.
We can only hope that the latest screen adaptations have consulted similar experts. There’s a new production of Pride and Prejudice underway as a six-part Netflix series with Emma Corin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy, and Olivia Colman as Mrs Bennet, and Rufus Sewell as Mr Bennet. I confess that Rufus Sewell as Mr Bennet strikes me as a bit of a stretch, but at least the early photographs of the female cast look hopeful.
There’s no word on when that series will be completed but, in the meantime, we can look forward to a new movie of Sense and Sensibility due for release in September 2026. The cast includes Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elinor Dashwood, Esme Creed-Miles as Marianne Dashwood, Caitriona Balfe (of Outlander fame) as Mrs Dashwood, Herbert Nordrum as Colonel Brandon, and Frank Dillane as that cad John Willoughby. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing what actress Fiona Shaw will do with the wonderful gossipy character of Mrs Jennings.
Only nine months to wait …
