Exhibition at Chawton House looks at Regency sports clothing

DID Jane Austen perform activity? Chawton House’s most current exhibition, A Costume of Activity, explores the regular bodily exercise routines liked by women of all ages in the Regency period of time, and what they wore when performing them.

From enjoying cricket in large collars and best hats to swimming in entire-size flannel attire, costume was slow to adapt to the demands of bodily exercise. This exhibition, open from these days (Thursday) till September 4, displays sporting outfits from the Regency until the early 20th century, applying costumes, paintings, machines and manner plates.

In addition to Chawton Residence selection things, objects on display consist of loans from the Marylebone Cricket Club, Jane Austen’s Dwelling and the Hampshire Cultural Belief, furthermore a costume worn in the ITV and Britbox adaptation of Sanditon.

Curator Clio O’Sullivan said: “Sport in the Regency time period was an vital and satisfying aspect of everyday living. Jane Austen would make a number of references to sport in her letters and novels, such as an intriguing allusion to ‘base-ball’! I’m thrilled to carry together this kind of an interesting array of illustrative objects.

“We’re lucky adequate to have some fantastic financial loans on exhibit, like a stunning hand-painted admirer from the Hampshire Cultural Rely on and a driving coat after belonging to Jane Austen’s brother from the Jane Austen’s Home collection. What I’m particularly psyched about are the portraits on show.”