Janeites

Every year, for my aunt's birthday, the women of my family indulge in our irrepressible fascination with Jane Austen and the Regency Era.  If you're thinking we just watch the movies and drink tea, you would be mistaken.  We actually go to our local JASNA chapter's yearly festival.

{at JASNA, 2009}

I have a little bit of a guilt complex going on when it comes to my love for Jane Austen--after all, when you're a student of the written word, it feels a little silly to so thoroughly enjoy novels that enjoy more than a bit of a fan-girl following.  But the thing about Austen is that her stories (if not the novels themselves) appeal to all different types of people, and you can enjoy the romance alone or you can delve into their literary merit based on your own personal preference.

So that is how I would explain my love for Austen novels to any critic.  There is something literary about it, but I would love her works even if I was not an English student.

{found here}

Now that I've defended my love for all things Austen, I've got the fun part of this post.  The festival is this weekend and I have got to come up with something suitable to wear.  If I had the materials, I would be sewing a Regency reproduction right now, but I'm turning to my closet instead.  Still, a girl can dream a little, can't she?  I loved the styling of the 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice and always thought I could put together a look with modern pieces that would be similar to the one Keira Knightley is wearing in the above image.  The best part of making an outfit out of modern pieces is that I could get everyday use out of everything.

   

regency inspired by katie-bee featuring a slim leather jacket

Hoss Intropia silk gown, $535
Embroidered blouse, $40
All Saints slim leather jacket, $450
Madewell flat shoes, $142
Jane Norman bohemian handbag, £14
Monsoon wedding hair accessory

Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out the other Friday's Fancies posts over at Long Distance Loving!