High waists to romantic tastes: new regency fashion exhibition

Silk ‘Spencer’ jacket, c.1815 – 1818. © The Olive Matthews Collection, Chertsey Museum. Photo by John Chase Photography
Silk ‘Spencer’ jacket, c.1815 – 1818. © The Olive Matthews Collection, Chertsey Museum. Photo by John Chase Photography

Never before seen items of high fashion from the Regency period are on display now at Chertsey Museum, as part of its new exhibition titled ‘High waists to romantic tastes’.

Fashion in the Regency period was a time of great elegance and innovation, which saw the appearance of daringly different dress styles. With pieces drawn from the cream of the museum’s nationally significant Olive Matthews Collection, this exhibition showcases rare and important examples of men’s, women’s and children’s dress from this pivotal and cherished era.

Iconic, simple and classically inspired garments and accessories from the early 1800s will be on show, as well as the more colourful and complex creations which appeared later in the period.

Grace Evans, Chertsey Museum’s Keeper of Costume said: “Who could not revel in the joy of displaying some of our most elegant garments from such an important period in fashion history. The Regency is one of my favourite eras, and I have thoroughly enjoyed selecting pieces for this important exhibition. You’ve seen the film and TV adaptations, now come and explore the real thing”.

The exhibition will be on view until 30th August 2025.

The collection trustees work in partnership with Runnymede Borough Council to display items from the collection in an annual fashion exhibition funded by the trust.


Address: Chertsey Museum, 33 Windsor Street, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 8AT

Opening times:

  • Tuesday - Friday: 12.30pm - 4.30pm
  • Saturday:11am - 4pm.
  • Sunday - Monday: Closed

Published: 16 September 2024