Authenticity on Screen: The Representation of Regency Era Fashion in Film Adaptations of Austen Novels

Martha McChesney

Jane Austen’s novels are some of the most adapted literature in western film history. Published in the early 1810’s, her stories focus on young women within Regency society, their turmoils with romance, and importantly, their marriage. The progression of women’s rights and our understanding of women’s place in society changes how we read and interpret Austen’s stories. Adaptations of her novels show a modern understanding of society, incorporating modern expectations and attitude into an historical society.

This dissertation focuses on two recent Austen adaptations, Emma (2020) and Persuasion (2022). Both set in the Regency era, they show different viewpoints of the fashion, society, and story. An authentic adaptation is the focal point of this dissertation; a film that respects Austen’s work while creating fashion that is accurate to historical Regency fashion, creates an authentic film. The importance of the visual entertainment that films create is important for deciding the authenticity of both Emma (2020) and Persuasion (2022)

The research in this dissertation judges how each film creates Austen’s story, and Regency society, and defines their authenticity, focusing on heavily on the fashion. Created as a relatable, modern take on Austen’s novel, Persuasion (2022) attempts to mix modern and historical influences in both costume and character. As visual entertainment, Emma (2020) incorporates the key elements of a colourful film while prioritising the importance of showing class, style, and personality through fashion in the Regency era. This dissertation compares both these adaptations to gauge how films authentically portray the Regency, and Austen, and how costume research can allow the film to become an authentic representation of Regency fashion.