"All young ladies accomplished! My dear Charles, what do you mean?" "Yes, all of them, I think. They all paint tables, cover screens, and net purses. I scarcely know anyone who cannot do all this, and I am sure I never heard of a young lady spoken of for the first time, without being informed that she was very accomplished."--Pride and Prejudice, chapter 8
Because the straight lines of Regency gowns did not provide room for pockets, women were forced to carry necessary items in small drawstring bags called reticules. Precursor to today's purse, the reticule provided a place to store important things (small parcels, spare change, the ever-present handkerchief, a small mirror, perhaps a snuffbox [all the rage at the time] or powder, smelling salts, and a love-letter or two) close at hand.
Reticules could be made of fabric coordinating with a particular gown or ensemble; some had papier mache bases and fabric tops. Toward the end of the Regency, they began using clasps as an alternative to the drawstring. Reticules frequently featured beading or embroidery and could be quite elaborate.
One other type of purse that was popular, was the "Miser's" or "Stocking" purse. Shaped like a tube (or sock) it had an opening in the center. When held in the middle you had two pockets in which to hold spare change. Rings slid down from the center to keep each side closed. Making purses was a popular pastime, as they could be sewn, knitted, netted or crocheted.
If you would like a handmade reticule to match your gown, find my full line here:
https://www.austentation.com/collections/regency-victorian-purses-and-reticules and don't forget to contact me if you have questions about customized color combinations!
Laura Boyle is fascinated by all aspects of Jane Austen's life. She is the proprietor of Austentation: Regency Accessories, creating custom hats, bonnets, reticules and more for customers around the globe. Her work can be found in the Jane Austen Centre's Blog, Jane Austen's Regency World, and other Austen related works. Cooking with Jane Austen and Friends is her first book. Laura's greatest joy is the time she is able to spend at home with her family (1 amazing husband, 5 adorable children, 2 hamsters, a papaya loving rabbit and 1 very strange dog).