Ladies' Regency Dress c. 1800-1810

From Laughing Moon Mercantile. Multi-Sized 6 – 34.
Also known as a Bib or Apron Front Gown or Dress, this gown opens on both sides of the front, with the entire front bodice and part of the front of the skirt falling down and open. The inside of the bodice ties together with strings and the falling bodice is pinned into place at the top of the front bodice on the shoulder straps. The bodice and front of the falling skirt are kept in place with ties that tie in the back, keeping the front secure. The front bodice fits just under the bust and the back of the bodice is shorter than the front. The back of the bodice is very small and the armholes extend from the arms onto the back.
The long sleeves are very long; so much so they sometimes bunch up on the arm and end at the knuckles of the hand.
The front of the skirt is flat with pleats at the side to hide the fall front. The back of the skirt is very full with many pleats. The inside of the bodice is lined with unbleached muslin.
This gown has several sleeve options: The long sleeve in View A may also be cut short or 3/4 length. The puffed sleeve in View B and C also has two lengths: one very short for evening as in View C, or the other
slightly longer option, which can be worn with an extension to make it a long sleeve as in View B. There is an option to add two small frills to the bottom of the long sleeves if desired.
There are three options for the bodice front, which has a drawstring at the top to adjust for fitting. There is a darted bodice, a gathered bodice, and a very full gathered bodice. The darted bodice can be drawn down at center front with a ribbon instead of using the drawstring.
The skirt can be hemmed evenly all around for a round gown, and there are three options for a train: short, medium, and a long train which at the longest adds 22 inches to the back of the skirt. This type of gown was worn for day or evening; the difference being the sleeve length, type of fabric, and the elaborateness of the decoration.