Who & What & Wear, Published April 14, 1811

[Katherine Winter (Alexandra)]

Dearest readers, we take great pleasure in presenting you with another summary of London fashion, direct from our caustic - but oh so chic – pen.




Almacks was certainly the Main Event last week, but sadly there were few surprises in store for us there. However, we were appalled (and secretly quite thrilled) by one young lady and her elaborately styled hair. No one seemed to know her name but you may be able to recognise her tonight at the ball by a highly experimental coiffure, if she attempts such a feat again. Do polite society a favour, Mystery Miss, and dismiss your lady’s maid post haste!

Also at Almacks was Mr. H-L. Dearest Mr. H-L. Check your top hat at the door tonight. Guests and good taste only, please! Speaking of good taste, brava to some of the upper echelons of gentlemen: the Duke of C, Lord E and recent arrival Viscount T. Very dashing indeed! Oh, and Captain S and his regimentals can do no wrong. A personal note to Lord F and Lord D: a comb is a terrible thing to waste!

More on gentlemen: we have heard that Lord S was banned from White’s last week. Oh, the scandal. Luckily for the fine ladies of the Ton, he has not been so disbarred from The Emerson Ball tonight and nor has his dissolute companion, Lord W. We would not be adverse to them dressing to theme. Perhaps as scantily-clad fauns? Leave the jackets at home, gents!




Speaking of leaving things, which abandoned fiancée plans to come as a violet tonight? Given the rumours that refuse to stop lurking about her name, perhaps a shrinking violet might have been a better choice? Tsk tsk.

On the topic of wallflowers, come out come out Little Lady O. Wherever have you been hiding? We are delighted to add another bloom to our blossoming garden bed of pretty young debutantes. Here’s hoping you are blessed with the same taste in fashion of your sister... and not cursed with the same taste in men!

Keeping it in the family, we have heard that Lady V intends to stand out from the peachy debs in dark colours this evening. Rumour has it that a dahlia is her inspiration. Black widow or siren might have been even more suitable inspiration, given the recent whispers around Town. Oh, silly me, the theme is flowers and fairies – not spiders and temptresses!




More honourable fashion mentions now, this time to all the ladies who dined al fresco in Kensington Gardens last week. Well done indeed. The ever-understated Miss S charmed in a soft lavender gown, touched with creams and pastels. We hope she comes in the same pretty shade tonight (if only her chaperone will allow it!) Miss T, keep that pretty little bonnet in place and that dreadful tan will fade in time – we promise! At least it isn’t preventing you making new friends, we see. Miss T was spied Saturday taking a riding lesson with Lady R in an emerald riding habit that we feel as if we have seen before. About 10 years ago. The habit was tastefully accessorised with black, its saving grace.

Another fashion leader, Lady A.T. has not been seen much of late but, when that fair had of hers has been spotted, it has always been bedecked with something pretty and suspiciously Parisian looking. Where would be without you, Lady A.T.? Though, beware, a certain Lady R seems keen to steal your Fashion Queen tiara.

It also seems that the Duchess of P has a new accessory, and one that did not come from LeFauvre’s Millinery. This one walks and talks and apparently even spouts sonnets. We should all have one of these!




We do love newcomers to the London fashion scene and have chosen a new darling from the torrent of them! When we last saw Miss B, we very much approved of her mauve ensemble, accented in fawn and chocolate. Secretly, we think you would look delightful in a hessian sack Miss B but then again, we must say that, your connections to a dukedom considered... Hush, but there are whispers of the lady connecting herself to another dukedom very soon, have you heard that too, Lord L?

Yet another pretty young thing to appear in the park last week was Lady P. We mention her because she is new and fresh but, to be quite honest, her pale flower-patterened gown lacked spirit. Try harder, Lady P, and you might be invited to the next Picnic. Or could there be another reason you failed to receive an invite? Lady J.L. was in attendance at said Picnic, looking charming though she was at her most noteworthy on Saturday when we spied her in the park in a divine turquoise creation that we now covet, along with a chocolate spencer and matching bonnet.

One last new arrival of note, a Miss in a sea of Ladies. We have little to say about this Miss K’s attire other than it seems tasteful enough, if a little reminiscent of last season? Oh dear. What intrigues is her passing resemblance to pretty Mrs. C. We wonder who would be more insulted to be mistaken for whom? (Let us hope Captain S does not make the mistake!)

Finally, we have come to expect unabashed finery from debutante Lady J.G. who glowed at Almacks on Wednesday when she made her debut. Do not let us down tonight, your ladyship! Lady E – dare I use her name in the same sentence as Lady J.G’s? – also glowed that night and looked simply heavenly. Speaking of heavenly, we are pining away to see how the guests of honour appear this evening. Miss H is sure to look angelic as always and we are insanely curious – as ever – to see how Miss P impresses the crowd.




My pen fair quivers to think what delights I shall have to impart when next we speak. We pray for a parrot costume or two! We have also heard rumours of a canary themed costume and do hope that it proves true.

[Katherine Winter (Alexandra)]

(Author's note: from Sunday 14th onwards feel free to PM this account with details of what your characters are wearing at any/all events. Noteworthy fashion may get a mention in the next release.)