At least two years ago, I was inspired by the HBO series Gentleman Jack (2019) to start a jacket with the intention of recreating this outfit worn by Anne Lister:
I mean, really, I already had a vintage top hat! So I started with a basic Period Impressions pattern, fitted it to me, and cut out the base and lining in black linen. Sewed the body together and then … packed it away for some reason. I kept gathering bits, the braid, buttons, fabric for the skirt and pleated-collar blouse, a spats pattern and just the right buttons for them. But otherwise, I left it.
Until the week before I was going to a Regency house party in fall 2021, and my communications with a certain company were sporadic about them shipping the pelisse coat I’d bought to wear at said party. So I dug out this project and decided to make a jacket in a weekend! Something I’m usually loathe to do, but I just barely managed it, even though I had to set and re-set the damn sleeves three times.
I didn’t have time for the stand-up collar, I skipped trimming the sleeve epaulets, and I only trimmed far enough up the front so it was even and looked passable. Also, for some reason, I made the belt that the pattern came with but the Gentleman Jack version doesn’t have; still not sure why I did that.
It’s not the best thing I’ve made by far, but it got the job done and didn’t cost anything new. I wore it with a white Regency dress bought off Amazon, a vintage hat I decorated, and a gothic chatelaine from Queen and Cavendish on Etsy. It was quite nice for a stroll along the beach.
