“Ribbon trimmings are all the fashion at Bath,” is a quote from a letter Jane Austen sent to her sister, Cassandra, in March 1814. In this and many other letters, Austen demonstrates a lively interest in current trends as they relate to her personal wardrobe.

On Oct. 4, 6-8 pm, Costume and Textile Specialist Colleen Callahan of Colonial Williamsburg will discuss and illustrate Austen’s fashion concerns within the context of the dramatic changes that occurred in women’s attire over the course of her lifetime from 1775 to 1817. Using references to clothing in Austen’s letters and novels, the lecture will place fashion within the framework of English society of the era.

The lecture, part of the Maryland Historical Society's Frances Scott Key Lecture Sereis, includes a reception with food and drink.