Becoming Jane

As I have read all of Jane Austen’s books, I was eager to see this movie. But tell me, what’s up with Anne Hathaway, an American playing Jane Austen, an English national icon? (Not to mention the American, Renee Zellweger, playing another English national icon, Beatrix Potter.) There is something fundamentally wrong with it.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the movie insomuch as the costumes were interesting. The Regency period is such a flattery period of clothing, for men and women. I love the simple Empire-waisted gowns, but the Becoming Jane costumer should’ve gotten a wrap on the wrist with a ruler for certain things, notably, the center back neckline on Anne Hathaway’s gowns. Several times, it is gaping, and you can see the label! (Even though these gowns were probably made to measure for Anne personally, they undoubtedly have an informational label sewn in the center back, for conservation and inventory purposes.)

Also, there is another sewing problem apparent in the movie poster. Look closely at the man’s collar, where you can see some really bad topstitching. Now I believe that a costumer should be fired for such a faux pas. Not only is the topstitching blatantly irregular, crooked, but topstitching should not even be apparent in such a Regency garment.