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 The Waist Conundrum American Duchess Blog 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 19th Century Empire Dress in Solid Cotton Townsends Women Plus Size Vintage Dresses Long Sleeve Halter Square Neck Empire Waist Swing Gothic Court Style Maxi Lace Dress Walmart.com