A Brief History of the Empire Waist Regency Dress Empire Napoleonic Gown Jane Austen Inspired Ballwear Etsy The empire waist reshaped fashion in the early 19th century. It borrowed from classical antiquity and rejected the ridgid styles of the 18th century. While the fashion looked more relaxed, the Women Plus Size Vintage Dresses Long Sleeve Halter Square Neck Empire Waist Swing Gothic Court Style Maxi Lace Dress Walmart.com Today's #ootd is an 1817 silk and wool gauze evening dress. It's an interesting example of a transition dress from the Regency period to the 1820s. It has the empire waist but 1800s Empire Gown Etsy