[Note: With very minor editing this section was provided by Mlle. Rachel Orsinger of Castle Falkenstein fame. Her efforts are greatly appreciated.]

Congress of Vienna is set firmly in the "Regency period"-- a time in clothing that you may be quite familiar with from recent movies of Jane Austen novels, or from less recent movies about the Napoleonic era, among other sources.

There is a wonderful collection of images, with tips and links on making your own costume at www.songsmyth.com.

Concepts for women:

• The most important basic concept for women is the Empire Waist -- a waistline that comes right under the bust, inches above the natural waist.
• Flat slippers (no heels)
• Lace
• Gloves (elbow length for short-sleeved evening wear.)
• In evening dresses, often a low, square neckline.
• Only a slight flare to the skirts.
• Ribbons and embroidery in bands around the bottom of the skirt.
• Hair up, often decorated, as with silk flowers.
• Small puffed sleeves on evening garb
• With a long fabric or lace stole draped between elbows and behind back.

There's a definite Neoclassical bent at this point, and less conservative women might be dressed more reminiscently of the Greeks. There's also a fashion around now of a simple turban with a large feather sticking up in front, if you think you're that sort of person.

You can also look at a more involved explanation of the clothing trends of the time. It's mostly directed at women's costuming although there are some images of men's dress as well.

Concepts for men:

• High-waisted pants and tails.
• High collars, with a frilly or flow-y cravat.
• Top hats (with curled up brims).
• Tousled hair.
• Frock coats with flared skirts.
• Pants are cut tight to the leg. (In some cases, knee-high or calf-high boots are worn over tighter pants, though that's technically about 8 years before our period.)

This quote is rather telling about proper behavior: "...a behind-the-scenes shot of Hugh Grant, who played Edward, with his coat off. The benefit is, you get to see his shirt-sleeves, which no proper Regency man would ever have shown, any more than you'd take off your skirt in public and show everyone your slip"

There is a page on Regency life, with some links to info on military of the time (might be helpful for insignia).

• Songsmyth - http://www.songsmyth.com
• Notes and illustrations on Regency clothing styles - http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/ppbrokil.html
• The Regency Collection - http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~awoodley/Regency.html
• In Timely Fashion - Regency hair tips - http://intimelyfashion.com/hair/regency1.html
• Hair - http://www.oocities.org/motozulli/Hair.html